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Northern Climate is Changing for Birds

Posted on: Tuesday, 15 January 2008, 18:00 CST

CLIMATE change could see a big change in the species of birds in the North-East, a study warns.

The Climatic Atlas of European Breeding Birds, published today, has been produced by scientists from Durham and Cambridge universities and the RSPB.

The report maps potential changes in distribution of all of Europe's regularly occurring nesting birds.

The atlas predicts significant changes for the wildlife of the north of England by the end of this century. Some species of birds could vanish from the region, while new breeding species may colonise from the south.

RSPB regional conservation manager Peter Robertson said: "The climate in southern England is predicted to become increasingly unsuitable for some birds that nest there now, including lapwings, snipe, redshanks and curlews.

"As these birds are forced to move north, our work to conserve these species in Northern England becomes even more important in order to ensure their continued UK survival."

The RSPB is already working with farmers in the North Pennines to help provide new habitats for these species and has improved habitats on its own nature reserves such as Geltsdale on the Northumberland-Cumbria border where there has been a significant increase in breeding waders over the past five years.

"Our plans to help create further wetlands across the region will also help breeding waders and other wetland wildlife to adapt to climate change," said Mr Robertson.

The report also suggests that the climate of northern England will become increasingly unsuitable for some specialist upland birds, including black grouse, ring ouzel and.

But the region's climate may become increasingly suitable for Dartford warblers, night jars and nightingales. However, these species will only be able to move into these areas if there are suitable woodland and heathland habitats for them to colonise.

Mr Robertson said: "This report provides further evidence that our changing climate seriously threatens our wildlife. We can help by creating a diverse range of habitats."

Durham University's Professor Brian Huntley, co-author of the atlas, said: "Although the details both of future climatic changes and of species' responses to these changes remain uncertain, the potential magnitude of both is clear, and is such that the adaptation measures necessary to conserve European biodiversity only can be achieved through urgent inter national action."

Source: The Journal - Newcastle-upon-Tyne

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