Biodiversity
Status of Widespread Breeding Land Birds 9 :1994-2005
Abundance
BAP Priority Species | Change in abundance 1994-2005 (%) | Significant change 10 |
|---|
Linnet | 31 | Y |
|---|
Reed Bunting | 36 | N |
|---|
Skylark | -5 | N |
|---|
Song Thrush | 26 | Y |
|---|
Conserving wildlife and habitats, both in number and diversity, are key sustainable development objectives. In addition to enhancing the quality of life, wildlife is a valuable indicator as to the state of the environment. Birds respond quickly to habitat changes, and populations have been well monitored over time.
Between 1994 and 2005, 23 out of 54 terrestrial and freshwater breeding birds surveyed in Scotland showed a statistically significant increase in numbers, 7 showed a significant decrease and 24 showed no significant change. Many of these changes are likely to reflect short-term or localised fluctuations in environmental conditions rather than long-term trends. 11
Naturally occurring birds and their habitats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 and the EC Birds Directive (79/409/ EEC and amendments). Following the publication of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan 1994, species action plans have been developed for 26 particularly vulnerable species of birds. Of the four BAP species that featured in the Breeding Bird Survey in Scotland, the Linnet and Song Thrush showed a significant increase in numbers (31% and 26% respectively), while the others showed no significant change.
SOURCE: BRITISH TRUST FOR ORNITHOLOGY/ RSPB12