Following my last comment on this blog about Red List species in the Barnsley recording area and the four extinctions during the past 10 years a few people have been asking how threatened are the remain 28 species. The reality is, we have 11 species with less than 40 pairs at the Atlas survey and one species now down to only two pair with others in between (some already lower). If these breeding numbers keep dropping at the same national rate we could have up to 11 more species extinct within the next 10 years in Barnsley. These species are: Ringed Plover, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Merlin, Wood Warbler, Ring Ousel, Spotted Flycatcher, Pied Flycatcher, Whinchat, Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Lesser Redpoll.
What do you think?
Merry Christmas!!
6 comments:
Hello Geoff. Ive a few comments to make regards some of the species you have mentioned when ive a bit more time. Cheers Stu.
I would certainly agree with you on at least seven of the ten Geoff. However, based on my own observations I think that Spotted Flycatchers have not declined locally (ie moorland/moorland fringe) over the past five years or so and if anything have perhaps increased. Ring Ouzels, although varying in numbers annually over the past ten years are probably at the very least stable. The same applies to Merlin, with 2015 seeing more pairs present than in any year since the mid 1980's - very surprising in as much as their main prey - the Meadow Pipit has decline (in my estimation) by some 60% during the period of time.
Thanks for your view Martin. Lets hope my prediction will not get that far?
In Barnsley, both Bullfinch (past red list) and Willow Tit are a good example of how localised populations sometime fare better than the national trend.
I have records of Willow Tit for Carlton marsh Geoff, do you still need them?
I have your records for up to April so it would be useful for breeding and breeding success plus ringed Willow Tit.
Thanks Cliff
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