The RSPB has flagged up concerns about the decline of hen harriers (Circus cyaneus) in Northern Ireland, with just 46 breeding pairs left in the region, a fall of 22 per cent since 2010 when there were 59. According to BirdWatch Ireland in 2015 there were an estimated 108-157 breeding pairs in the Republic, a decline of 8.7 per cent since a 2010 survey which recorded 128-172 pairs.
Es kann keinen Zweifel mehr geben, dass das „Insektensterben“ von großer Tragweite ist, für die Landwirtschaft, für die Ökosysteme und die Biodiversität im Land, und nicht zuletzt für alle, die sich einen Frühling ohne Schmetterlinge nicht vorstellen können. Fakt ist ein Rückgang von Insekten und insektenfressenden Wirbeltieren in Deutschland. Als Hauptgrund für dieses „Verschwinden“ wird jeweils der Einsatz von systemischen Insektiziden vermutet. Diese Stoffe wirken auf das Nervensystem und somit auf den Orientierungssinn und das Verhalten von Insekten und anderen Gliedertieren.
Bei uns im Vorgarten liegt eine tote Eule“, wandte sich vor ein paar Tagen ein Anwohner der Wilhelm-Dienst-Straße in Flörsheim an Bernd Zürn vom BUND. Der war sich ziemlich sicher: Das tote Tier war eine Waldohreule (Asio otus). Als Todesursache vermutet Zürn eine klaffende frische Wunde neben dem Schnabel. Das Tier lag unter einem hohen und sehr dicht beasteten Nadelbaum, den die Eulen gern als Schlafplatz nutzen. Die ungewöhnlich große Menge an Gewölle, den ausgewürgten Speiseresten, die unter dem Baum lag, überraschte sogar Bernd Zürn.
There are now 46 breeding pairs left in Northern Ireland, a fall of 22% since 2010, when there were 59 pairs, and the numbers are also declining elsewhere in the UK, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) reports. The hen harrier (Circus cyaneus) population has suffered a decline of 88 pairs (13%) over the past six years with a total UK population estimated to be 545 pairs, according to the latest figures from the fifth national hen harrier survey. Known for their majestic skydancing ritual, this graceful bird is one of the most threatened birds of prey in the UK.
The hen harrier (Circus cyaneus), an iconic bird of prey, is heading towards the brink of extinction in England, new figures suggest. There are just four breeding pairs left in England and numbers are declining elsewhere in the UK. Scotland is the traditional stronghold of these raptors, but numbers have fallen 9% since 2010. Numbers in England fell from twelve pairs in 2010 to just four in 2016.
Van de 263 onderzochte vogelsoorten die Nederland aandoen als doortrekker of wintergast zijn er 39 op de nieuwe ‘Rode Lijst’ van bedreigde vogels terecht gekomen en negen op de oranje lijst. De oranje lijst is een lijst van vogels die de afgelopen tien jaar constant in aantal zijn afgenomen en dus ook in de gevarenzone dreigen te komen. Van de wintergasten en doortrekkers die in ons land achteruit zijn gegaan, broeden er zo’n dertien op de toendra.
Sparrowhawks are most frequently seen in gardens during the autumn and winter months, a time when numbers are swelled with juveniles and when the smaller birds they prey on are flocking into gardens to feed. January 2016 saw the highest average counts of Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) for the time of year but since summer 2016 numbers have been abnormally low, according to Garden BirdWatch. They were only seen in 8% of gardens in December, well below average and a 5% reduction on December 2015. Sparrowhawks are not always popular garden visitors, as they feed on other garden birds.
The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is one of nature's most awe-inspiring predators. Once an isolated cliff-dwelling hunter, these birds are now a high-flying slice of the natural world visible right outside our condos and skyscrapers. But 50 years ago, Canadian peregrine falcons were on the ropes. Once-common, their numbers had plummeted as a result of widespread DDT use. In the span of 10 years, it disappeared entirely from Ontario. It only began to creep back, bird by bird, in 1990.
Vultures are one of the most threatened families of birds in the entire world and their decline has been shockingly rapid. Some species in Africa and the Indian subcontinent have declined by over 95% in the last few decades, a rate faster than even that of the Passenger Pigeon or Dodo. Many old world vultures are now Critically Endangered – meaning they are at risk of going extinct in our lifetimes.
Researchers at Audubon Greenwich’s Quaker Ridge hawk watch site are alarmed that they’ve seen only 8,025 hawks over the fall migration season this year, the second lowest total in more than three decades of collecting data. In years past, they have seen as many as 30,000 hawks in a single day, said Ryan MacLean, the official hawk counter at the site. “We have 31 years of data, and unfortunately out of 31 years, this is our second lowest on record,” MacLean said.