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Natural resource protection and enhancing the environment

20. Bird populations*

Bird population indices (a) farmland birds* and (b) woodland birds* and (c) seabirds*, 1990 to 2007

20_1

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Bird populations: wintering wetland birds

Bird population indices: wintering wetland birds, 1990-1 to 2006-7

Bird populations2

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Farmland birds since:
1990
Red
2003
Amber
Woodland birds since:
1990
Red
2003
Amber
Seabirds since:
1990
Amber
2003
Amber
Wintering wetland birds since:
1990
green
2003
Red
  • Farmland bird populations fell by 51 per cent between 1970 and 2007. The index dropped by 28 per cent between 1990 and 2007.
  • In 2007, woodland bird populations were 20 per cent lower than  in 1970 and 17 per cent lower than in 1990.
  • The UK’s breeding seabird populations are of international importance. Populations increased between 1970 and 1987 by 37 per cent and have remained stable since then.
  • The UK’s wintering wetland birds have international importance. The overall wetland birds population increased by 57 per cent between 1975-6 and 2006-7. The population increased by 64 per cent between 1975-6 and 1996-7.
  • Between 1975-6 and 2006-7, wader populations increased by 44 per cent. During the same period wildfowl populations increased by 62 per cent, although they decreased by 5 per cent between 2005-6 and 2006-7.

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Updated: 30 July 2009