CONSERV ATION DECLINE OF KITTIWAKE NUMBERS ON THE LITTLE ORME
1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0
1980 WEATHER
Changing weather patterns are also having an abrupt effect on sea bird populations, as I’m sure many of us have noticed the increased number of storms affecting the British Isles, what we may forget is many of our sea birds are at the brunt of them, and although our populations of sea birds are well adapted to the British weather, there are always limits. Powerful storms can have a severe and instant impact on
many sea bird colonies by washing away nests. The increase in storm surges is also having an effect on coastal erosion and as a consequence can cause habitat losses. For species such as Kittiwakes that nest low on the cliffs, the smallest increase of sea levels can cause dramatic effect on these low nests. The changing seasons, weather, and food availability is having
an impact on some species of migratory patterns. Many British sea birds undertake long-distance migrations and the impacts on these populations are more complex and harder to measure, impacts could affect the migratory journey, the breeding grounds, stopover locations, wintering destinations and the dependencies between them. Birds do have an ability to adapt to some of the migratory problems, they might necessitate flyer longer distances or towards alternative destinations. However, it is essential to consider the repercussions on the regions they are journeying to. Resting sites during migration play a pivotal role in the sufficient completion of species' migratory journeys, ways in which the climate impacts may have an affect on these are: rising sea levels, more extreme weather events, and human impacts such as construction work.
1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 DISEASE
If it's not enough that the affects of climate change are having a negative impact on bird numbers, avian flu outbreaks are taking an unprecedented affect on many species of birds. Kittiwakes, black headed gulls, herring gulls, terns and guillemots are being washed up on many beaches, showing symptoms of avian flu.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) both undertake huge amounts of research to investigate the affects of climate change, reporting any nests or sighting can be helpful to this process. In England, Wales and Scotland you can go to the following
page Report dead wild birds. If you know the species you can also go to BirdTrack. As climber and hill walkers we can keep checking the RAD and minimising our own affects on bird populations by keeping dogs under close control and keeping clear of any wild birds nests.
Words: Tom Carrick, BMC Access & Conservation Officer Cymru / Wales 2015 2020 2025 2030
52 | CLIMB. WALK. JOIN.
PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
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