12 May 2009

Regional wild bird indicators for the English regions: 1994-2007
This statistical release provides updated figures for bird populations in the English Government Office Regions, covering farmland, woodland and all native birds. Between 1994 and 2007, the population index of farmland birds showed a decline of more than 10 per cent in five regions; the South West, the South East, the East of England, the East Midlands. During the same period the farmland bird index for England dropped by 13 per cent.

There was a six per cent decline in the woodland birds index for England between 1994 and 2007, while indices increased by more than 10 per cent for the North West, the North East, Yorkshire & the Humber and the East Midlands. The woodland birds index decreased by more than 10 per cent for the South East region.

There was a 2 per cent increase in the all species birds index for England. The indices increased by more than 10 per cent for the North West, the North East and Yorkshire & the Humber. The all native bird species index decreased more than 10 per cent for the South East region.

These indicators are based on the Breeding Bird Survey run by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), which provides comprehensive information on the medium term changes in bird populations across the UK. The changes shown by the regional indicators for 1994 to 2007 need to be interpreted in the light of the long-term decline in the populations of farmland and woodland birds apparent from the national indicators.

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