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MORE THAN A quarter of native Irish bird species are now considered to be at the highest level of conservation concern, according to a new report from BirdWatch Ireland.
The review of Irish bird populations, which is published today, found that 54 out of 211 species are now on Ireland’s so-called ‘red list’ and at risk of permanent decline.
The red list increased by almost 50% since the last survey, with 23 new additions including the puffin, the sparrowhawk, the oystercatcher and the kittiwake.
Wading birds – those commonly found along shorelines such as lapwings and curlews – were reported to be experiencing the most severe population declines, while several seabirds also joined the list due to climate change and overfishing.
The decline of waders was described as “catastrophic”, with six such species joining the red list.
The kestrel was also added to the list, along with the common swift and the stock dove.
The report said that causes for the decline of kestrel in Ireland were not clear, but were possibly due to prey availability, agricultural changes, reduced feeding opportunities and the consumption of poison intended for rodents.
Other newly red-listed species included the red knot, the snowy owl, the redwing, the razorbill, the bar-tailed godwit, the knot, the willow warbler, and the brambling.
“There is no doubt that having 54 of Ireland’s regularly occurring bird species now on the red list is alarming, with some species having shown dramatic declines and losses on this island,” the report reads.
Only six species left the red list since the last survey was carried out in 2013.
Some recovery in the populations of species such as black-headed gull, the European herring gull, the tufted duck and the wigeon allowed them to move from red to amber status.
Others also moved from the amber to the green list, including the reed warbler, the mistle thrush, and the robin, all of which have improved status.
In total, 79 of the 211 species (37.4%) feature on the amber list, as well as 78 (37%) on the green list – the lowest cause for concern.
However, BirdWatch Ireland and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Northern Ireland, which also conducted the review, called for more resources to be targeted at the protection of declining bird populations.
“With the continuing decline in the status of Irish birds… we acknowledge that finite conservation resources must be even further prioritised and directed where they will have the most impact,” the report says.
“It is difficult to reverse such sustained population declines and they tend to be followed by further declines or lack of recovery,” it added later.
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Fished out waters might have alot to do with it, ireland sitting on the sidelines watching it happen and won’t say no to the EU
@Gerard Heery: Mostly not sea birds. Here’s habitat, number of species and % of bird species on the Red List that declined by at least 50% in numbers and 70% in distribution in the last 25 years.
Coastal birds: 27 (21%)
Farmland birds: 20 (35%)
Lowland and Wetland birds: 22 (10%)
Upland birds: 28 (50%)
Urban birds: 5 (20%)
Woodland birds: 30 (10%)
20.5% of all birds on the Red List are Coastal Birds.
Changes in reduced food availability and farming practices, pollution in lakes, degradation of wetlands, and climate change are the most important factors affecting bird populations.
Only 17,000 hectares for nature in GAEC 9 CAP taken from productive tillage land will do very little for birds out of 4760000000 hectares of agricultural land (92.1% grass untouched used to service declining export markets). In other climate related news; Just 3% of the worlds ecosystems remain intact; http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/15/just-3-of-worlds-ecosystems-remain-intact-study-suggests
Just wait for coppers to reopen and at least one species of bird will make a comeback ..
@CAMILA REMONA: with their beautiful fake tan, inches of make up, drawn on eyebrows and a sneaky naggin in the bag, oh I can’t wait…..
The Bees are disappearing too and in places like China, they have to use feather dusters to try and pollinate crops. EU pays farmers to destroy nature and clear land with hedges and trees ripped leaving lifeless land, where there is nothing for bees insects or birds to survive. The obsession with neat and tidy and use of pesticides is everywhere too. Even if people in cities left part of their garden to grow wild, they could help wild birds and bees.
@GO GREEN: I saw a documentary i think in america where they were using drones to pollinate almond trees
If there were enough fish left in the sea we wouldn’t see as many seagulls in the Cities . It’s not helping either when Councils are taking people to court for feeding wild birds.
Unfortunately from my observations it would appear that the seagull are taking over. Can’t leave any food out now without them taking the lot and scaring off other species and indeed small children. Could this be part of the problem.
@JG: You’re wasted as a talent with such a scientific analysis.
Does anyone know why so many fields that used to have mixed hedges and small trees now are cut to 1 metre or so high. Is there a payment for doing this?
An obsession with neat and tidy and business to cut down hedges and fears of trees falling in storms, but there is no need to cut them to almost ground level. They could at least just trim the sides. Some hedges are even sprayed with pesticides too. There is nothing for wildlife.
Had the opportunity to go to Skellig Michael a few years back – amazing experience, with the added bonus of being so close to puffins. However, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was sustainable – so many tourists attending at the same time with their star wars stuffed toys taking selfies, treading all over the place. It seems like that hasn’t affected the puffin population there, but I daresay it can’t be helping it either
@Kevin Hickey: If only it was that simple! The water quality and habitats associated with our rivers are both doing terribly. That’s the problem! Loads of barriers to fish migration too – weirs etc.
Cormorants eat fish, but so do Kingfishers and Great-crested Grebes. It’s easy to demonise a bird when it’s not pretty and colourful.
Also, Cormorants are amber-listed in Ireland and that’s based on a huge volume of data from right across the country
I was surprised to see Sparrowhawk on the list as I’ve seen Sparrowhawk and buzzards more often this year than ever before. I got quite the surprise to see a Sparrowhawk sitting under my bird feeder one day, never saw one up so close. I was in awe but also a bit worried for my tiny birds but then that’s nature, the hawk’s got to eat too.
@Fon_Ellard: Yes I also have a sparrow hawk coming and going to my bird table. And we have 8/10 buzzards soaring over our garden all the time here in Clonmel.
Vast grass and forestry monocultures.
Weed killers kill offvany wikd flowers which support insects which support birds which support predatirs.
Doh! Been a long time comming.!
Destruction of hedgerows for “safety” reasons!
Chopping down trees becuase coal costs a fortune.
Predictable… Reap what you sow.
So long and thanks for all the fish!
Too many cormorants around, destroying fish stocks in lakes and rivers, they should be culled
@Kevin Hickey: No.
If you have a problem with rodents get a cat.
Meanwhile, here in Ardee, Louth county council building a bypass straight through Curlew breading and feeding lands…. Shame on them!
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