BTO 2009 survey encouraging

The BTO have operated a survey scheme looking at the same sites for several years to get a better assessement of bird numbers and breeding success. Although adult numbers of some species are down the juvenile count is up and productivity is up. Many species have suffered over the past two wet summers but productivity was much improved this year, with significant increases for 18 of the 25 species monitored. The real winners were some of the finch species, for which productivity was up by 70% or more!

Adult numbers
18 species showed a decline vs 2008 (this is a consequence of the previous two poor breeding seasons)
Significant decline for Robin, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Linnet
Lowest ever adult numbers for Blue Tit and Linnet
Significant increase only for Whitethroat and Bullfinch

Productivity
Significant increases (vs 2008) for 18 species
Significant increases (vs long-term) for 15 species
Highest ever productivity for Reed Warbler and Chaffinch
Significant decrease only for Willow Tit (and lowest ever)

The BTO does a great job, support them!