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The State of the UK’s Birds ( #SUKB) 2020 report is out today! This collation of results of bird surveys across the UK summarises how birds are faring and can be found at http://www.bto.org/sukb2020 . Follow the thread for more details! 
@Natures_Voice @RSPBScience @WWTconservation
@Natures_Voice @RSPBScience @WWTconservation
Firstly, we would like to recognise the extraordinary volunteer effort that has gone into #SUKB. Without dedicated volunteers in every corner of the UK, this publication would not be possible. @aparanoble reflects on this in the #BTOBlog: http://www.bto.org/volunteer-blog
The headlines are clear: long-term declines in woodland species, and there are 19 million fewer pairs of breeding birds in the UK than in the late 1960s. The report highlights it all: http://www.bto.org/sukb2020 .
#SUKB
#SUKB
The #SUKB report draws data from a range of surveys, from @BBS_Birds, @WeBS_UK, @_BTO demography schemes, the Heronries census & @BTO_GBW, @JNCC_UKseabirds, @WWTConservation Goose and Swan monitoring, @RSPBScience and @ukrbbp to name just a few. It's a real ‘one-stop-shop’!
Data from @BBS_birds, incl. WBBS, feature heavily throughout the report. From population trends of 117 species at UK and country-scales, to feeding into a European Atlas and Indicator trends. A species really grabbing the limelight in this report is the Willow Tit. #SUKB
Similarly, #SUKB draws data on wintering waterbirds from @WeBS_UK, which gives an overall snapshot of how waterbirds are doing. Although they increased from the mid-1970s to mid-1990s, they have since declined, dropping by 6% in the latest 5y period: http://www.bto.org/webs-reporting-alerts
Another survey is our 2018 Tawny Owl Survey, which showed that Tawny Owl occupancy dropped nationally from 65% in 2005 to 53% in 2018, and that they were most strongly associated with broadleaf woodland and declined with increasing urbanisation: http://www.bto.org/tops #SUKB
Almost 3,000 sites were surveyed for the Tawny Owl Point Survey and over 9,000 for the Tawny Owl Calling Survey with over 11,000 volunteers taking part across the two surveys. This is another testament to our fantastic volunteers. #SUKB
Data were also taken from the Ringing and Nest Record Schemes, and without around 3,500 skilled nest recorders and ringers to collect data on productivity and survival each year, we would not be able to measure the health of our bird populations. #SUKB
For example, data collected by constant-effort ringers and nest recorders help us to understand population changes, such as the 26% decline in the number of Willow Warblers surviving each year, and have been used to investigate why these declines vary across the country. #SUKB
These data also show that harsh winters can negatively impact resident species. The 123% increase in Stonechat survival rates likely reflects a recovery after poor overwinter survival during the severe winters of 2009–10. Climate change may have an important impact here. #SUKB
Pied Flycatchers are the most-studied species by ringers taking part in the Re-trapping Adults for Survival (RAS) scheme. Volunteers monitor this long-distance migrant at 22 nest-box projects across the UK, with one dataset going back to 1968! #SUKB
The #SUKB report also shows the importance of recording our garden birds and wildlife, and draws on the data collected from 50,000 gardens taking part in @BTO_GBW. If you want to contribute your garden records, you can find out more here - http://www.bto.org/gbw
As highlighted in the #SUKB report, Greenfinch numbers have dropped dramatically over the past 25 years, likely due to disease, with annual peaks going from 80% to 40% of gardens, whereas Goldfinch are a success story, going from the 20th most recorded garden bird to the 8th.
Another project mentioned in #SUKB is @newebba, a huge collaborative effort to create the second European Breeding Bird Atlas. Data from birdwatchers in the UK, taking part in BTO schemes, are included in this invaluable project. Find out more at http://www.ebba2.info
For the first time, #SUKB also looks at the countries. In Scotland we see increases for Tree Sparrow, GS Woodpecker & short-distance migrants, but declines in other species, and mixed fortunes for seabirds. See the whole picture: http://www.bto.org/sukb2020
@BTO_Scotland
@BTO_Scotland
Northern Ireland sees long-term population increases of several commoner species, including gains of 1,540% for Blackcap, 1,305% for Buzzard and 485% for Goldfinch, but species like Curlew are declining.
#SUKB @BTO_NIreland
#SUKB @BTO_NIreland
In Wales we find a contrasting trend to England in House Sparrows, which are up 92% since 1995. Red Kites have increased by 413% over the same period. Contrastingly, declines are strong for Swift, Greenfinch and Curlew.
#SUKB @BTO_Cymru
#SUKB @BTO_Cymru
As #SUKB shows, there is no shortage of ways for you to get involved in helping the UK’s birds. Head over to http://www.bto.org/how-you-can-help to find out what you can do.
