News: July 2005

The summer of 2004 was a good one for the vast majority of our African summer visiting birds, with all but three of 25 species increasing in numbers compared to 2003.

Results from the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) for 2004 reveal marked increases for several migratory birds over 2003. More than three times as many sand martins (Riparia riparia) were recorded in 2004 and numbers of cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) were up by 31%. Other species showing marked increases were whitethroat (Sylvia communis) chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) and willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus).

In contrast one of our most spectacular resident garden birds, the sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) suffered a marked decline with numbers down 17% on 2004.

BTO. Migrants bound back - good news from Africa. New release from the BTO on behalf of the BTO, RSPB and JNCC on 18th June 2005.