Are spotted flycatchers common?

What is driving the decline in woodland species?

These declines are greater than documented previously, driven by the declining numbers of woodland specialists; down 46% since 1970. Generalist woodland species, typically those that also breed in gardens or wooded areas of farmland, have increased overall, by 14%.

Which birds are returning to the UK this summer?

One of the latest summer migrants to return to the UK, spotted flycatchers don’t reappear on their breeding territories until may or even June, and may only be around for a couple of months – just long enough to rear their young. The much-loved robin is a garden favourite and one of our most familiar birds, adorning Christmas cards every year.

Do neonicotinoids harm farmland birds?

Initial evidence suggests neonicotinoids negatively impact some bees, farmland birds and aerial insectivores through affecting their growth, reproduction and behaviour. Recent research in the UK found no overall consistent effect of neonicotinoids applied as seed treatments on farmland bird populations.

Do birds come back to the UK in the summer?

It will also be another way to help keep children entertained – and can help to boost their understanding of the natural world. From the start of April many favourite species of birds make their way back to the UK to enjoy the summer months here. Which birds migrate from England over winter?

What birds are in season in the UK in spring?

Also known as summer visitors, there are a large number of birds that migrate to the UK in spring, often seeking warmer climates. These summer visitors include: Swallows. Warblers – including the dartford warbler and reed warbler. Martins – including the house martin. Yellow wagtails. Cuckoos. Nightjars. Ospreys.

Why are farmland birds declining in Europe?

Farmland birds have experienced tremendous population declines in Europe in the past three decades, with agricultural intensification as the primary causal factor 19, 20, 21, 22. Among aspects of intensification, pesticides are known to be a major threat to farmland birds 15, 23, 24.

Do neonicotinoid pesticides cause bird population declines?

The use of neonicotinoid pesticides in recent decades has been linked to declines in bees and other invertebrate pollinators. Caspar Hallmann et al. present data from the Netherlands showing a correlation between declines in insectivorous farmland bird populations and water concentrations of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid.

Is there a correlation between imidacloprid exposure and bird population decline?

Caspar Hallmann et al. present data from the Netherlands showing a correlation between declines in insectivorous farmland bird populations and water concentrations of imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid. The spatial connection remains once other land-use changes have been accounted for.

Are neonicotinoids harmful to birds?

This study is another link in the chain of environmental problems, one showing that the use of neonicotinoids is harming birds, and that bird populations are at risk as a result, Eng said in an interview.

What are the effects of neonicotinoids on grasslands?

The increase in neonicotinoid use also leads to a decrease in the species richness and evenness of grassland birds.

Do neonicotinoid insecticides harm honeybees?

Numerous laboratory and field studies have confirmed substantial negative impacts of neonicotinoid insecticides on honeybees, wild bees and butterflies 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Many studies have noted that the toxicity of neonicotinoids can affect other non-target species as well, including birds, aquatic invertebrates and mammals 15, 16, 17, 18, 19.

What is being done to help our farmland bird populations?

Many farmland bird populations have declined, caused by the loss of foraging and nesting habitats. A range of measures, many supported by Countryside Stewardship funding, can help provide the resources they need.

What are the impacts of neonicotinoid pesticides?

Part 2: impacts on organisms and ecosystems The use of neonicotinoid pesticides in recent decades has been linked to declines in bees and other invertebrate pollinators.

How much do imidacloprid concentrations affect bird populations?

In areas with imidacloprid concentrations higher than 19.43 nanograms per liter, bird populations were in decline. The average rate of decline was 3.5 percent annually—that makes for more than a 30 percent decline over 10 years, notes de Kroon. The higher the imidacloprid concentration the more severely the bird populations dropped.

Do insecticides affect migratory activity and body mass in birds?

Following acute exposure to two widely used agricultural insecticides, imidacloprid (neonicotinoid) and chlorpyrifos (organophosphate), we compared effects on body mass, migratory activity and orientation in a seed-eating bird, the white-crowned sparrow ( Zonotrichia leucophrys ).

Are imidacloprid concentrations too high in the Netherlands’ water?

This is one of the fifteen species shown to be affected by elevated imidacloprid concentrations in surface water in the Netherlands. Let me tell you about the birds and the bees: A family of pesticides called neonicotinoids has been linked with pollinator declines.

What are neonicotinoids and why are they bad for bees?

Neonicotinoids, introduced in the late 1980s, were supposed to be a safer alternative to previous insecticides. But study after study has found that they play a key role in insect decline, especially bees. The EU banned the use of the chemicals in 2018 because they were killing pollinators.

Are pesticides harmful to bees?

And, neonicotinoid pesticides that are sold to homeowners for use on lawns and gardens oftentimes do not have any mention of the risks of these products to bees.

What are neonics and why are they killing bees?

With brand names like “Gaucho” and “Poncho,” these nicotine-based pesticides were first introduced in Europe in the mid ‘90s. (Eventually, French beekeepers began reporting massive bee deaths and called the phenomenon Mad Bee Disease. After out ruling the usual suspects they concluded neonics were to blame.)

How much do pesticides affect species richness?

In Europe, it has been found that a 42% loss in species richness occurs due to pesticide exposure, even when such exposures are at concentrations deemed environmentally safe by current legislation.

What are the negative effects of pesticides?

Pesticides can contaminate soil, water, turf, and other vegetation. In addition to killing insects or weeds, pesticides can be toxic to a host of other organisms including birds, fish, beneficial insects, and non-target plants.

What are neonicotinoids and why have they been banned?

Neonicotinoid pesticides have been implicated in colony collapse in bees, which has led to bans in regions of Europe. US President Donald Trump has eased bans on some neonicotinoids introduced during the Obama presidency.

What is the difference between non-neonic and neonicotinoid pesticides?

Although neonicotinoids are applied at lower rates per acre than non-neonicotinoids, they are considerably more toxic to insects and generally persist longer in the environment 5. Fig. 1: Trends in total pesticide use in the United States.

How do neonicotinoids affect bird populations?

We analyse the static effect of neonicotinoids on bird populations as well as the dynamic and persistent effect caused by neonicotinoids reducing the sizes of bird populations and thus their reproductive capacity.

What is causing the global decline in neonicotinoid-rich grasslands?

Other possible causes of decline include trophic accumulation of this neonicotinoid through consumption of contaminated invertebrates and, for the six partly granivorous species involved, sublethal or lethal effects through the ingestion of coated seeds 8. The relative effect sizes of these pathways urgently need to be investigated.

Do imidacloprid-treated seeds cause bird poisonings?

Millot, F. et al. Field evidence of bird poisonings by imidacloprid-treated seeds: a review of incidents reported by the French SAGIR network from 1995 to 2014. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res. 1–17 (2016).