The Birds and the Bees … and the Beetles
Birds Results of the Great Garden Birdwatch have been published.
There’s some good news. Results show that the average numbers of all but one of the top ten birds have increased slightly since last year. Only starling numbers dropped, although they retained the number two slot.
There was a surprise: long tailed tits took tenth place, with an increase of 88% from last years count. The RSBP suggests that this increase is because this insect-eating bird has adapted to feeding on seeds and peanuts at birdtables and from hanging feeders, which highlights the positive impact that our feeding and bird care can have on some birds.
Unfortunately, the longer term picture of some of the UK's most loved species is less good: many have declined greatly in the last three decades. For instance, the house sparrow, despite retaining its top spot for the 6th year running, has declined by 63% since the survey began in 1979, and the starling has dropped by 79%.
Top ten species nationally and in Greater London, with averages per garden:
Nationally
House sparrow (3.70); starling (3.21); blackbird (2.84); blue tit (2.45); chaffinch (2.01); wood pigeon (1.85); collared dove (1.44); great tit (1.40); robin (1.36); long-tailed tit (1.34)
Greater London
Starling (2.78); wood pigeon (2.77); house sparrow (2.41); blue tit (2.05); blackbird(1.87); feral pigeon (1.53); robin (1.29); great tit (1.21); magpie (1.09); collared dove (0.88)
Full results are available on the RSPB website – see http://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch/results/
You can also get useful information on things like bird identification and wildlife gardening.
Bees You probably already know that there have been terrible losses among the world’s honeybee population. Nearly a third of the UK’s honeybee hives did not survive last winter (2008); this pattern was repeated all across the world.
Several reasons have been put forward for this sharp decline, including parasites, malnutrition, stress, weather and pesticides. Alison Benjamin, co-author of “A World without Bees” (Guardian Books), says that there has been insufficient funding for research into the impact of pesticides on honeybees. She is pressing for a ban on chemicals that have been implicated in the death of bees. The UK Government maintains that there is not enough proof for such a ban.
Meanwhile, the Co-operative has decided to prohibit suppliers of its own brand fresh produce from using neonicotinoids (systemic pesticides applied as a seed dressing, highly toxic to bees), and is putting £150,000 into research into the impact of pesticides on honeybees, as part of its Plan Bee Campaign.
You can find out more about this campaign, watch a short documentary about bees in the UK, and get tips on what you can do in your garden to help bees by visiting www.co-operative.coop/planbee
And beetles Did you know that London is the stag beetle capital of Europe? The stag beetle is listed as a priority species for the UK and London Biodiversity Action plans; its population has declined considerably since the 1940s but it is found in a number of “hot spots” including London, particularly in the south and west.
It’s important to hold an up-to-date and accurate assessment of where stag beetles are in London. London Wildlife Trust is maintaining a database, which not only helps to keep an updated record of their distribution, but will also help in the research to ascertain why they are present in some parts of London and not others.
Go to http://lwt.elmbrook.eu/WildlifeInformation/Species/Londonspriorityspecies/StagBeetle/tabid/176/Default.aspx to find out more about LWT’s Stag Beetle project, including how to report any sightings.
Back to Birds – and bad news In recent weeks two heron heads were found in Blondin Park - with no sign of the bodies, though a pair of heron wings was also found in nearby Boston Manor Park. Last week it was reported that five swans and a moorhen had been killed on the Grand Union Canal; some were decapitated. It looks like it is people rather than animals doing this. Please look out for signs of any similar attacks and if you have any information contact the police; it is illegal to kill these birds.