Two more UK birds classified as ‘Near Threatened’
26th May 08May 2008. Two more of the UK's regularly nesting birds are heading towards extinction, following today's global revision of the list of birds in danger, says the RSPB.
Curlew and Dartford Warbler
In the latest revision of the ‘Red List' by BirdLife International, the curlew and the Dartford warbler have been listed as Near Threatened, only one step below those species facing global extinction. Today's additions swell the numbers of nesting Near Threatened birds in the UK to five; joining the red kite, corncrake and black-tailed godwit on the list of birds facing potential peril.
Curlew - rapidly declining
In the UK, the curlew - a large wader of open habitats - is a widespread, but rapidly-declining species in many areas. The Dartford warbler - a bird more or less confined to heathland - is actually expanding its range rapidly from the southern counties of England, largely because of heathland conservation and restoration programmes and milder winters. However, the warbler is declining rapidly in other parts of its European range, meaning the UK's population is of greater global significance. Today's assessments are based on the population declines of both birds across their global ranges. The curlew is found across a belt of central and northern Europe and Asia, while 90 per cent of the Dartford warbler is found in southern and western Europe.
In the UK, the curlew has declined by 53 per cent between 1970 and 2005, and by 37 per cent between 1994 and 2006. Between 28 and 35 per cent of the western European curlew population nests in the UK. The global population is suspected to have fallen by 20 to 30 per cent in the past 15 years.
Dartford warbler in decline - except in the UK
BirdLife International believes the Dartford warbler may have declined in Europe by 40 per cent in the last 10 years. In its Spanish heartland, the warbler decreased by nearly six per cent per year between 1998 and 2006. Although, in the UK, the Dartford warbler has extended its range and increased its population to a total of 3209 territories in 2006.
Curlew and Dartford Warbler
In the latest revision of the ‘Red List' by BirdLife International, the curlew and the Dartford warbler have been listed as Near Threatened, only one step below those species facing global extinction. Today's additions swell the numbers of nesting Near Threatened birds in the UK to five; joining the red kite, corncrake and black-tailed godwit on the list of birds facing potential peril.
Curlew - rapidly declining
In the UK, the curlew - a large wader of open habitats - is a widespread, but rapidly-declining species in many areas. The Dartford warbler - a bird more or less confined to heathland - is actually expanding its range rapidly from the southern counties of England, largely because of heathland conservation and restoration programmes and milder winters. However, the warbler is declining rapidly in other parts of its European range, meaning the UK's population is of greater global significance. Today's assessments are based on the population declines of both birds across their global ranges. The curlew is found across a belt of central and northern Europe and Asia, while 90 per cent of the Dartford warbler is found in southern and western Europe.
In the UK, the curlew has declined by 53 per cent between 1970 and 2005, and by 37 per cent between 1994 and 2006. Between 28 and 35 per cent of the western European curlew population nests in the UK. The global population is suspected to have fallen by 20 to 30 per cent in the past 15 years.
Dartford warbler in decline - except in the UK
BirdLife International believes the Dartford warbler may have declined in Europe by 40 per cent in the last 10 years. In its Spanish heartland, the warbler decreased by nearly six per cent per year between 1998 and 2006. Although, in the UK, the Dartford warbler has extended its range and increased its population to a total of 3209 territories in 2006.
