Yellowhammers

[pegasus]

Is it my bad luck/poor observational skills,but are there less of them about these days? I have'nt seen[heard] one ages. In recent months i've been to the New Forest, the Dorset coast and Bempton and not a sniff of 'em. We used to camp around the St David's area and there were always loads flitting around the gorse bushes. I live in cheshire and never seen any[or read of any sightings]---are ther numbers decreasing? The RSPB/BTO rarely make any references to them[or on here?] I'd be very interested in other peoples experiences/thoughts on these birds.

[aeshna5]

They are a species that has undergone a significant decline in recent decades, as have quite a few other mainly farmland species. I don't see them that often, but there are areas where they still seem to do well.

[rossy]

yes i live in greater manchester, and if anyone knows of any in the area id be grateful if you let me know also, rossy.

[Mulligatawny owl]

Yellowhammers seem to have declined dramatically in my neck of the New forest in just the last ten years or so.The only place I've seen them this year is Badminston common near Fawley. I used to see and hear them all the time singing from the tops of gorse bushes, was just something you took for granted and enjoyed as an integral part of the countryside on a summers day.
Very worrying.

[glsammy]

In my area (Nottinghamshire) I see and hear plenty of them, I'm pleased to say.

[GME]

There were some in the farmland and trees not far opposite to the entrance to Mere Sands Wood not too long back... That's not a million miles from you

[Fiona Ward]

It is always a joy to see and hear them now as they are declining along with many once common farmland birds.

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by GME

There were some in the farmland and trees not far opposite to the entrance to Mere Sands Wood not too long back... That's not a million miles from you

Thanks for that! All i need to do find out where Mere Sands Wood is!

Thanks for the replies---i have a gut feeing that Yellowhammer numbers have seriously declined.

[PeteIsntAPuffin]

Originally Posted by rossy

yes i live in greater manchester, and if anyone knows of any in the area id be grateful if you let me know also, rossy.

St. Helens.

Where the 'Dream' statue has been built, it's on an old coalmine and there is an awful lot of Yellowhammers over there. Last time I went, I saw at least 14 (unless there were 3 following me all the way round ), and have seen one every single time I've gone there in the last 2 months, and didn't fail to see one every time I went last year too.

So while the numbers may be decreasing nationwide, in St Helens (and specifically, sutton manor) they seem to be booming

[watsthat]

They are common and confiding in our part of East Yorkshire.

Pete