Three quarters of the bird species surveyed in Foxglove Covert Nature Reserve are markedly decreasing

A NATURE reserve has found the evidence from its own research shows a number of common birds are in serious decline. The Foxglove Covert Nature Reserve in Catterick Garrison has completed its 24th bird ringing scheme, and said three quarters of the species surveyed are markedly decreasing. This year, more than 1,000 individual captures in their nets indicate it was the poorest for 10 years. This follows a progressive line of decline which Major Tony Crease, Foxglove’s founder, said is very depressing. He said: "The results for 20 of our most common species over the past 15 years show only five had a better than average year, and 15 species declined, some quite markedly. “Some of these results may be cyclical and others less convincing, but what is not in doubt, is that across the board, many of our feathered friends are in significant decline. The willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus), chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), and the bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) are all good examples where numbers have reduced by over 20 per cent, and the greenfinch (Chloris chloris) has declined by 80 per cent. Maj Crease believes the decline is due to a number of reasons. He said: “Development across the UK and loss of habitat is a major concern."
Source: The Northern Echo, 31 October 2016
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/14834557.Native_birds_on_the_decr…