Statistics released today by the UK Government show alarming declines in birds across all habitats.
The report, Wild bird populations in the UK, 1970-2013, shows that overall, breeding bird populations in the UK have declined compared with 40 years ago. In 2013, the all-species index was 12 per cent below its 1970 level, and there was a small but significant decline of five per cent from 2007 to 2012. However, trends vary between individual bird species, between habitat types and between groups of species that share the same habitat type.
By 2013, the UK breeding farmland bird index had fallen by 55 per cent to a level less than half that of 1970. The largest declines in farmland bird populations occurred between the late seventies and the early nineties, but there has been a statistically significant on-going decline of ten per cent between 2007 and 2012.
In 2013, the UK breeding woodland bird index was 28 per cent lower than its 1970 level. The greatest decline in the series occurred from the early eighties until the mid-nineties, after which the trend stabilised.
In 2013, the UK breeding water and wetland bird index was 17 per cent lower than its 1975 level. There was a significant decline in the smoothed index of 12 per cent in the short term between 2007 and 2012.
Seabird populations in the UK have fallen by 24 per cent since 1986; this is the lowest level recorded. Most of the decline has occurred since 2003; there has been a decline of nine per cent in the short term since 2008.
In the winter of 2012-13, the wintering waterbird index in the UK was almost double its 1975-76 level (up 95 per cent). The index peaked in the late 1990s and has declined since, with the smoothed index falling by almost five per cent between 2006-07 and 2011-12.
Jersey Airport is, as we have highlighted before, close to being the last site for breeding skylarks in the Channel Islands. One or two pairs still breed on the Blanche Banques but even at the Airport numbers are steadily declining.
On Wednesday, 18th June, we conducted our annual survey of the skylarks and meadow pipits at the Airport. This year’s survey was as hard a slog as ever. It is surprising how big an area we cover up and down each side of the runway, but it’s the walk through the longish grass, even when dry, that slows us down the most. The grass is left long deliberately so as to discourage birds like gulls, pigeons and crows from trying to forage or roost there and become a life-threatening hazard to the planes, their crew and passengers. Grass too long, on the other hand, can become a fire risk which would itself then be a major hazard. To get it just right, the Airport has to manage the grass sward very carefully. This, luckily, doesn’t seem to discourage the highly threatened skylark, a bird not considered to represent a risk.
Once again we received security clearance before we entered the grass area and we donned our high-visibility jackets. We always carry radios to keep in contact with the tower and we sit out incoming or departed planes. That’s another reason for going when the grass is dry!
The skylark team this year, again the stalwarts Tony Paintin, Hester Whitehead and Glyn Young, walked the grassy areas of the airport either side of the runway excluding a couple of sensitive areas that the team cannot enter for fear of upsetting some pretty sensitive equipment.
Skylarks are never very easy to count as some birds can stay put in the grass while others fly up and sing at us. We walk out in a line and record each lark and pipit. Whatever the failings in our technique are though, having used the same methodology since 2006, trends become obvious.
This year, the best we can say is that things haven’t got any worse. We counted 26 larks, for the second consecutive year. Fewer birds were singing but maybe we shouldn’t read too much into that as only four were singing on our highest count (in 2011).
So, as we do each year, we look forward to next year’s count to see if things might have improved. 2014 has been a good year, seemingly, for many breeding songbirds.
Once again we are indebted to the airport authorities for allowing us to count the birds and for helping with security clearance and for providing radios and high-visibility vests etc.
The impressive State of the UK’s Birds 2014 was published today. The theme of this year’s annual report is migrant birds, a group showing some of the most dramatic population changes in the last few decades.
This includes species like cuckoo which breed in the UK but spend the winter in Africa, as well as the large numbers of waders and wildfowl that breed further north, but spend their winters on UK and Channel Island coasts and wetlands.
Migrant changes
For the summer migrants, where a species spends the winter has a strong influence on its trend. Almost three-quarters (73%) of migrants such as nightingale and wood warbler that cross the Sahara to winter in the tropical humid zone in West and Central Africa are in decline. In contrast, 56% of species such as chiffchaff that winter mainly in southern Europe and northern Africa are increasing.
Populations of migrants such as sedge warbler that winter in the arid Sahelian zone of Africa are currently relatively stable, although this group has shown massive declines during earlier droughts in this area. These patterns are highlighted by a new migrant indicator (in the report). For the winter visitors from the north, the picture is less clear. Although a few species, especially from the Arctic, show declines, the majority of sub-arctic and temperate breeders are stable with 33% to 40% increasing.
The importance of volunteer data
Once again, volunteer data continue to provide most of the information used to update the trends reported for the UK, the two key examples being the 2,500 participants in the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) and the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), respectively. Both these surveys are undertaken in Jersey, data supplied to the BTO. The BBS trends highlight six species with severe declines since 1995 including one of serious local concern: turtle dove.
Counts by volunteers at more than 2,200 wetland sites at monthly intervals for WeBS provide the information to report on wintering population trends in 46 species or races of waterbirds including ducks, geese, swans, waders, grebes, rails and cormorants. After two decades of increase, the wintering waterbird indicator (in the report) has been declining over the last decade, particularly among species such as turnstone and purple sandpiper characteristic of the non-estuarine coasts.
These and other data will also be used in the latest update of the UK Government’s wild bird indicators. These revealed continuing declines in wetland and waterways birds as well as in seabirds, but no change in already depleted numbers of farmland birds. Woodland species, however, had a relatively good year in 2012.
Scarce and rare breeding species
This year, the report includes a summary of trends in scarce and rare breeding species, drawn mainly from the annual reports of the Rare Breeding Bird Panel and the Statutory Conservation Agencies & RSPB Annual Breeding Birds Scheme (SCARABBS programme) of periodic surveys. The results are extremely varied, with marked increases in some very rare species in the UK such as common crane and in raptors such as red kite, white-tailed eagle and hobby, matched by severe declines in a diverse group of species such as ring ouzel, black redstart, golden oriole, common scoter and black grouse. The table also reveals gaps in knowledge for difficult to survey species such as hawfinch, water rail and short-eared owl, and identifies recent colonists such as great white egret and little bittern whose trends we may soon be able to follow.
State of the UK’s Birds is produced by a coalition of three non-governmental organisations (NGOs) – the RSPB, BTO and the WWT – and the UK Government’s statutory nature conservation agencies.
While the Channel Islands definitely doesn’t rival somewhere like Peru or Kenya for the size of its bird fauna there is still a nice variety to be getting on with. Our Islands are only small and close to the continent so birds may wander over and be gone again the same day. This means too that it’s never easy to say exactly how many species may be present on any one day.
These small islands do, however, have quite a good variety of habitats. So, while the bird fauna may not be large, it can be nicely varied. Even a brief trip out can reward the observer with seabirds, woodland birds and shorebirds within a few minutes. If not all at the same time: in fact there are few spots where you can’t hear oystercatchers or see a gannet off in the distance! You know you’re not far from the sea when the song thrushes and starlings mimic the shorebirds.
So, exactly how many bird species are there? The Working List of Channel Islands Birds has been updated this week and shows that, overall, 369 birds have been recorded. Not each of the islands has seen them all of course so the highest number for just one island is the 326 recorded in Jersey. The list shows where there are some very interesting anomalies – birds that may be very common on one island may be very rare or absent on another.
Observer coverage is often low in parts, and certainly Alderney and Sark could be better covered than they have been at times. Both these islands have a dearth of seabird records that may be through too few birders but Sark’s shortage of shorebirds may be more down to its paucity of beaches. And it’s lack of wetlands. More interesting are the natural variations. Brent geese stick mostly to Jersey, but so too does this bird’s principal food, eelgrass. Harder to explain are the unequal distributions of magpies (effectively absent from Alderney) and jay (a common resident in Jersey and a vagrant elsewhere). Great spotted woodpecker and stock dove are relatively recent colonists to the islands which might explain why they have only a toe hold in Alderney and Guernsey while they are widespread and common in Jersey.
Interestingly, rare visitors too show an unequal distribution. Jersey has never recorded a Pallas’s leaf warbler while Guernsey has had 15. In Guernsey a little bunting would cause a stir whereas in Jersey they are almost annual. Amongst those birds to have avoided Jersey but put in appearances on the northern islands, snowy owl may have caused the most disappointment. Everyone loves a snowy owl!
The Working List is published each year from contributions by each of the islands. Each record has been accepted by the local ornithological committees and contacts of these are included. Please submit your sightings to each island. The list details each species and includes a summary table and, updated annually, one highlight is the taxonomic changes that are included each year. There have, over recent years been some major revisions to taxonomy and to many species’ position in the list. This year is no different – see how long it takes you to see where the falcons went this year. There may be splits too (think carrion/hooded crow or stonechats in recent years) but this year there haven’t been any. One disappointment, however, with the latest list is that the total hasn’t changed since 2012. It will have by the next update though!
As this is all good science, the understanding of avian biogeography, the monitoring of distributional and population changes etc., there can not be anything as unscientific as inter-island rivalry. And of course there isn’t. Although that one extra bird in the Jersey total is looking very vulnerable!
With the increasing appreciation of the Island’s birdlife come new responsibilities. Social media further shares immediate opportunities to broadcast sightings and other information on our birds. It has considered, therefore, appropriate to put together a guide with simple steps on how to enjoy birdwatching and bird photography in a way that’s safe for oneself, others and the birds and habitats we are so admiring
This new code has been inspired from similar guidelines produced by the BTO, RSPB, and other birding and bird conservation organizations in the world. It has been created through a series of consultations between by Birds On The Edge and members of the Ornithology Section of the Société Jersiaise.
So, please consider what is best for the birds at all times. But please, always enjoy your birds! The new code can be downloaded here.
The States of Jersey Department of the Environment also have guidelines for visiting the Island’s SSI’s and these can be downloaded here.
Today, 197 of the world’s rarest birds are considered to be Critically Endangered (species facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild). In the Channel Islands we often hear a lot about these birds as several are the subject of conservation programmes run from Jersey’s Durrell; however, much less well known is that one of these extremely threatened species choses to spend a very important part of its year in the waters around our islands.
Only an estimated 9,000-13,000 adult Balearic shearwaters exist. This seabird breeds only in the Mediterranean’s Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Cabrera, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera. It is then, rather surprising, perhaps, that, traditionally, after the breeding season, between late May and the end of July, the majority of the global population passed through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Atlantic, dispersing northwards to post-breeding grounds in the Bay of Biscay and Iberian coast, where they undergo their annual flight-feather moult
During some years, warmer than usual sea surface temperatures led to a northward shift, presumably following their fish prey. Birds were seen along the UK’s coastline and often in good numbers in the Channel Islands. Most individuals return to the Mediterranean in the autumn, with return passage beginning in September and peaking in October-November, although late individuals are still recorded passing Gibraltar between December and April.
In Jersey we typically saw a handful of Balearics during the year except in rare, exceptional years like 1985 when 603 were recorded. That was until recently. In 2009, 320 were recorded during the year and numbers have been steadily increasing since then: there were 845 in 2011, 3,181 in 2012 and 3,556 last year. This year, so far there have been “thousands” in our waters although they’ve been forming mixed flocks with non-breeding Manx shearwaters, northern birds that may have not been in good condition following the spring storms.
Big Balearic shearwaters flocks are being recorded from Guernsey too and birds are being encountered at sea throughout our area. What does this mean for the shearwater? Well, we may now be responsible the greater part of the population of a very rare bird for a significant part of its year. Each year, now. Our record, unfortunately, isn’t that good for the common species! Let’s make sure we look after the Balearic shearwater as the whole world may now be watching us!
You can download the International Species Action Plan for the Balearic shearwater and other action plans for European bird species here
The grass snake is rare in Jersey, and has a restricted distribution particularly within the west and south-west of the island. This project aims to determine the status of Jersey’s populations, identify causes of decline, and provide information for conservation action and species recovery.
Aims
Determine the distribution and population size of grass snakes and slow-worms across the island
Investigate movements, range size and habitat use of both species, and undertake modelling
Examine predator / prey relationships of grass snake populations
Conduct genetic analysis of the grass snake populations
Provide recommendations for species conservation and recovery
Engage and educate the public in grass snake conservation in Jersey.
Background
A juvenile grass snake captured during surveys. Photo by Rob Ward
The grass snake (Natrix natrix) is a harmless non-venomous snake, and is the only snake species native to Jersey. Although relatively common in mainland Britain and Europe, in Jersey it is rare, and seemingly declining. Little research has previously been conducted on Jersey’s grass snake population, and so our knowledge of its ecology, conservation status, and relationships with other Island species is relatively lacking. Historic information regarding the distribution of this species is found in Frances Le Sueur’s A Natural History of Jersey (1976), which suggested that grass snakes were most numerous in the north-west and south-west of the Island, but also stated that they occurred throughout the Island in low numbers. More recent studies confirm grass snakes to have a stronghold in the west and south-west of the Island, with a further population in the south-east. However, no grass snakes have been seen in the north-west (Les Landes) since a juvenile at Grosnez pond in 1992. With such a lack of information, it is clear that much work still remains before a true picture of the grass snake’s ecology and population size in Jersey can be determined.
Green lizard basking on one of the survey materials. Photo by Rob Ward
Since March of this year, surveys have been taking place at multiple sites, particularly in the west and south-west of the island, in order to collect data on the Island’s slow-worm and grass snake populations. These surveys involve checking artificial materials that have been laid out to attract reptiles through the warmth and shelter they provide.
During the surveys, a number of environmental variables are recorded, as well as morphological data on each of the grass snakes and slow-worms found. These sightings are then plotted on a map, which can be used to study habitat use of the species.
In addition to the surveys conducted by Rob and his volunteers, a publicity campaign, “Think Grass Snake” was launched on the 22nd June 2014 to encourage the public to send in their sightings of grass snakes and slow-worms. A dedicated ‘Spotline‘ is in place to receive phone calls on 441628, as well as a website at www.ThinkGrassSnake.Je, and presence on social media. The campaign also aims to educate the public about the two species, and raise awareness of their decline.
2) Investigating movements, range size and habitat use
A radio tag fitted to the tail of an adult grass snake. Photo by Rob Ward
Understanding the movements and habitat preferences of a species is an important factor for their conservation to ensure the right areas are protected and managed correctly. Grass snakes are known to move large distances, and so it is particularly important to know which habitat types they use during different times of the year and at different life stages, as well as the location of key habitat features such as feeding ponds, nesting sites, and hibernation sites. During this project, each captured snake and slow-worm has a number of pictures taken of its individual patterns. For grass snakes, this is the belly pattern, and so it is possible to tell when an individual is recaptured, and thus how far it has moved between captures.
Another way of studying the movement of grass snakes is to use radiotracking. Adult snakes are fitted with a small radio tag on their tail, and located two to three times per day until the tag falls off (normally when they shed their skin). This gives much more detailed information on the size of the areas they need to live in, the habitats they prefer, and their behaviour.
3) Examining predator and prey relationships
Garden pond used by toads and newts, an excellent source of food for grass snakes. Photo by Rob Ward
Grass snakes primarily feed on amphibians and fish; however, in Jersey many of the amphibian species have undergone declines, especially the Agile frog. These declines in prey could be one of the reasons that the grass snake has declined, and so it is important to understand what the remaining grass snakes in Jersey are eating.
The project utilises two main methods of studying the diet of Jersey’s grass snakes. The first of which is to encourage captured snakes to regurgitate any recent meals. When this is successful, it gives an immediate insight in to the diet of the captured snake, and the prey item(s) can then be manipulated back in to the digestive tract of the snake so that the prey item is not lost.
The second method involves collection of faecal samples from captured snakes, from which DNA will be extracted to identify the species consumed.
Tadpoles and small agile frogs are regularly eaten by grass snakes. An adult toad too would make suitable prey for an adult grass snake. Photos by Rob Ward
4) Genetic analysis of the grass snake population
The unique belly pattern of a juvenile grass snake captured during surveys, with a ruler showing its size. Photo by Rob Ward
When populations become isolated for long periods of time, and especially when a population is of a small size, the genetic quality of the population can begin to deteriorate. In Jersey, grass snakes are at risk for both these reasons, and could be suffering from the founder effect, poor gene flow, and resulting inbreeding due to fragmentation. To determine if these problems are occurring, DNA samples are collected from captured grass snakes, shed skins, and dead individuals. These can then be used to investigate how individuals are related to one another, and give an insight in to any requirements for human intervention. Furthermore, the DNA can be compared to samples from grass snake populations elsewhere in Europe to see which are most closely related to those here in Jersey. This information is useful should there be a need for reintroduction, genetic restoration, or captive breeding of snakes to ensure the population’s survival.
Habitat management
A possible cause of snake decline is the loss of particular habitat features including feeding ponds, compost and manure heaps for egg-laying, and hibernation sites. Fragmentation may also be a factor as snakes are at risk whilst crossing boundaries such as roads, as well as having to travel further and using more energy when man-made obstacles may be in their way. We can, therefore, improve habitats for grass snakes by providing some of these features. Compost heaps in particular are of low cost, are easy to construct and maintain, and can be built in private gardens and allotments as well as public areas and reserves. In areas with large quantities of grass clippings such as on golf courses, the materials can be piled up to provide suitable nesting habitats for grass snakes as well as a home for a variety of other wildlife. As grass snakes nest around June, and eggs do not normally hatch until the September or occasionally even October, not disturbing potential nesting sites during these periods is important.
A pile of grass clippings (left) or a domestic compost heap could provide an important nest site for grass snakes. Photos by Rob Ward
Keep up to date with the Think Grass Snake campaign and Rob’s research by keeping an eye on the website blog and on social media:
Birds On The Edge is pleased to invite you to RAPTOR DAY, a celebration of Jersey’s raptor diversity and these birds’ beauty and ecological role in our natural communities.
On Sunday 10th August we are carrying out a variety of events, in partnership with Hen Harrier Day, celebrated across the UK to highlight the plight of this highly threatened species.
10.30 – 12.00 Summer 2014 RaptorWatch: The annual co-ordinated census will be carried out by a team of volunteers stationed at various observation points across the Island. You are welcome to join us for RaptorWatch at the Wetland Centre by St Ouen’s pond or at Noirmont.
12.00 – 12.15 RaptorWatch results and recap. Location: Wetland Centre main area.
12.15 – 12.40 Celebration of Hen Harrier Day. A short talk highlighting the issues that endanger the hen harrier and the activities taking place across the UK to raise awareness. Location: Wetland Centre classroom.
12.40 – 13.00 Marsh harrier research in Jersey. A short talk about the colour-ringing project and the ecology of our present population. Location: Wetland Centre classroom.
13.00 Raffle of a very special item of original artwork. Details to follow soon.
The Natural Environment Team at the Department of the Environment is looking for volunteer help with the 2014 Jersey Small Mammal Survey.
Work involved
The work involves humanely trapping and handling Jersey’s small mammals; the Jersey bank vole, the wood mouse, the lesser white-toothed shrew and Millet’s shrew. Animals are identified, weighed, sexed and given a fur clip. This helps to identify them if they are caught again. There are 22 sites island-wide. Most sites are visited three times a day. The traps are checked and re-baited in the morning with mincemeat and oats and checked again twice more during the day. Assistance with setting and collecting traps (49 traps per site) is also required. Two sites are visited each day (sometimes three sites) by each person. There is a small amount of travel in between sites.
When
Lesser white-toothed shrew. Photo by Tim Ransom
Autumn trapping will begin on the 8th September and will continue for 10 weeks. The work should end in the middle of November. Volunteer help is required for weekdays and will most likely be required for the morning routine. This begins around 7.30am until approximately 10am (depending on how many animals are caught). The traps are then checked at midday and in the evening. Times can vary depending on dawn and dusk times. Volunteer help would be greatly appreciated for the morning routines as mornings are the busiest times and anything else could be worked into a rota.
Millet’s shrew in Jersey. Photo by Gregory Guida
Required from volunteers
Commitment – free time in the morning preferably, afternoon and evening if possible.
Own transport.
Good water proof clothing and suitable footwear (wellies or boots). Gloves and all other equipment will be provided.
Physically fit and prepared to work in all types of weather.
On offer
Training in handing small mammals will be provided prior to September trapping.
Petrol allowance will be provided for use of own vehicle.
Wood mouse
Benefits from being involved
Experience in outdoor conservation work.
Experience with using Longworth traps and handling small mammals in Jersey
Helping to conserve Jersey’s small mammal population.
If you are interested or have any questions please contact the Natural Environment team by emailing Denise McGowan at d.mcgowan@gov.je. If you would like to chat about the work you can call Denise on 07797 810987
Following last winter’s successful Farmland Scheme, which engaged the help of many farmers in our efforts to stop the decline of local bird populations, we are pleased to announce that this year’s ‘Winter Bird Crops’ are being planted again across the island.
These specialised crops will be planted after the potato harvest and will produce a mixture of seeds and cereals. We have planted out such valuable crops as barley, mustard, quinoa, millet and sunflower (see advice here and free access paper here for importance of these crops). Throughout the winter these crops will provide food for the local birds, which, come spring, will repay this effort by feasting on the bugs and pests attacking the farmer’s commercial crops.
Thanks to a grant from the Co-Op EcoFund and the Countryside Enhancement Scheme, this year Birds On The Edge has been able to provide enough seed to cover twice as much ground as last year’s pilot scheme, to invite more farmers to join, and to expand to new areas such as St Ouen’s Bay.
We look forward to seeing the crops in full bloom and we will update you as soon as the birds start flocking to them.
Annual statistic release from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
f species that share the same habitat type.
In 2013, the UK breeding woodland bird index was 28 per cent lower than its 1970 level. The greatest decline in the series occurred from the early eighties until the mid-nineties, after which the trend stabilised.
Seabird populations in the UK have fallen by 24 per cent since 1986; this is the lowest level recorded. Most of the decline has occurred since 2003; there has been a decline of nine per cent in the short term since 2008.
