The population status of in Wales 2 The population status Ben Hall(rspb-images.com) of birds in Wales 2

• The leading conservation • Forty-five species (21%) were organisations in Wales have revised placed on the red list: an increase the population status of the birds of 18. One hundred (47%) were that are regularly found in the placed on the amber list, which is country, so updating the review an increase of 31. Sixty-eight (32%) published in 2002. were placed on the green list, representing a fall of 57. • A total of 213 species were assessed using strict criteria and • Nine species moved to lists of each placed on one of three lists. lower conservation concern, These criteria have been revised while 63 species moved to higher since 2002 in line with the UK-level lists. Seven species moved straight assessment. The red list is for from green to red. Seven species globally threatened species, and were assessed for the first time species that have historically or and, of these, one was placed on recently shown large declines. The the red list. amber list is for species showing • The most frequent reason for recoveries or moderate declines, moving to a list of higher Pochard and for species that are localised, conservation concern was evidence rare or internationally important. of population decline. In a few The green list is for other species, cases a move was due to the including those showing further Species assessed changes in the criteria. Reasons for recoveries. moving to a lower list include This reassessment covered all species on the WRP1 list of birds recorded in improved status in and Wales, excluding those that occur solely as vagrants, rare and scarce migrants successful colonisation. (as assessed by WOS2 and www.scarce-migrants.org.uk) and those considered extinct by the first assessment in 2002. However, we have included globally threatened species that have occurred in Wales during the past 20 years. We have also included previously red-listed species whose breeding populations 1 Welsh Records Panel 2 Welsh Ornithological Society could now be considered extinct. We did not assess non-native species. Data sources

This review uses information from a • The annual BTO/RSPB/JNCC • National surveys of birds in • Trends in geographic distribution range of sources on the status of Wetland Bird Survey provides particular habitats, such as the are obtained for some species by birds in Wales, the UK, Europe and trends and local population sizes for Repeat Upland and Repeat comparing the results of recent internationally, up to 2006 in wintering waterbirds. Woodland surveys, provide data on surveys with the BTO/IWC7 1968-72 most cases. a range of species not reported by and BTO/SOC8/IWC 1988-91 • The Statutory Conservation other schemes in Wales. These breeding bird atlases. • The annual BTO3/JNCC4/RSPB5 Agencies and RSPB Annual surveys have been used where Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) Breeding Bird Scheme, along with • Global and European information they are considered representative provides trends for widespread the Seabird 2000 census, and comes from BirdLife International’s of national populations. breeding birds in Wales since RSPB and CCW6 surveys in Wales Threatened Birds of the World 1994. The UK status is used for provide data on population sizes • The County Bird Reports and the 2004, and Birds in Europe: species not reported on by BBS and trends for some species. Rare Breeding Bird Panel Reports population estimates, trends and in Wales, if there is no evidence provide annual information for rare conservation status. that Welsh trends differ to those breeding and non-breeding birds. of the UK.

3 British Trust for Ornithology 6 Countryside Council for Wales • The annual co-ordinated Seabird 4 Joint Nature Conservation Committee 7 Irish Wildbird Conservancy 5 8 Monitoring Programme provides The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Scottish Ornithologists’ Club trends for seabirds. Chris Gomersall(rspb-images.com

Black grouse 1 2 The criteria The red list criteria BDMr and BDMr At least 25% but less than 50% decline in breeding range (25 This review is based on the same eight IUCN Global Importance: globally years and longer term). broad criteria used in the first assessment. threatened using IUCN criteria. BR and WR Mean of less than 30 While it would be preferable to retain the breeding pairs or 90 individuals outside assessment method in successive reviews, HD Severe historical decline 1800-1994 breeding during the most recent we have made some changes since 2002 with no recovery. five-year period with data. that include those made at the UK level9. BDp1 and BDp2 At least 50% decline in These changes include a longer time period breeding population (25 years and UKred UK importance: red-listed at UK over which to assess recent population longer term). level, excluding those that qualify under change in addition to the 25-year period breeding categories but are not (1981-2006). This longer period runs WDp1 and WDp2 At least 50% decline established breeders in Wales. from 1969 to 2006, and prevents species in wintering population (25 years and that have made no recovery from declines longer term). UK 50 50% or more of the UK since 1969 but have been stable in the population of a species in Wales. BDr1 and BDr2 At least 50% decline in last 25 years from moving to lower lists. BRUK and WRUK At least 10% of the We have introduced a new rare non- breeding range (25 years and longer term). population of a UK rare breeding or breeding criterion (WR), which is equivalent wintering species (breeding and to the one for breeding (BR). Wales may non-breeding) in Wales. have a particular responsibility for the populations of some UK species. The amber list criteria BL and WL At least 50% of population Consequently there are new criteria to occurs at one site, but not a rare breeder show when Wales has 50% or more of the SPEC European Importance: Species (breeding and non-breeding). UK population of a species, and 10% or of European Conservation Concern 1, 2 BI and WI At least 2% of the European more of a UK rare wintering or breeding or 3. or East Atlantic Flyway population species (excluding those that are not (breeding and non-breeding). established as breeding species in Wales). HDrec1 Recovery from HD: at least 100% increase in numbers or range in The criteria that must be met to qualify for the last 25 years. the red, amber or green lists are shown The green list criteria BDMp1 and BDMp2 At least 25% but opposite. Species were assessed under as less than 50% decline in breeding many criteria as data availability allowed, All species that do not qualify under the population (25 years and longer term). and ordered following the Gill and Wright above, with the addition of: (2006) classification10. 1 2 WDMp and WDMp At least 25% but HDrec2 Further recovery from HDrec1 is less than 50% decline in wintering at least 20% increase since last 9Eaton et al (2009). British Birds, 102, pp296-341. population (25 years and longer term). assessment. 10Gill, F and Wright, M (2006). Birds of the World Recommended English Names. Princeton Sue Tranter Tranter Sue (rspb-images.com) University Press. Song thrush Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Wales’ new red list Non-breeding decline 25 years Non-breeding decline longer term Breeding decline 25 years Breeding decline longer term Further recovery from historical decline from historical recovery Further Recovering historical decline Recovering Range decline longer term Range Range decline 25 yearsRange 2 1 Non-breeding decline longer term Non-breeding decline Non-breeding decline 25 yearsNon-breeding decline 1 2 1 2 2 1 Breeding decline longer term Breeding decline longer Breeding decline 25 yearsBreeding decline 25 Range decline longer term Range Range decline 25 yearsRange 2 1 2 1 2 1 BDr WDp WDp BDMr BDMp WDMp WDMp BDMr Previous population status Previous Status IUCN Global Conservation HD Historic decline BDp BDMp BDr SPEC European conservation status HDrec BR Breeding rarity WR Non-breeding rarity BL Breeding localised WL Non-breeding localised UKred UK red list Wales population in At least 50% UK UK 50 Wales of UK rare breeders’ pop in At least 10% BRUK Wales of UK rare non-breeders in At least 10% WRUK BI Breeding internationally important WI Non-breeding internationally important HDrec Species BDp

White-fronted goose R ■■ ■ Pochard G ■■■■ ■ Red grouse R ■■■ Black grouse R ■■■■ ■ Grey partridge R ■■■ ■ ■ Balearic shearwater NA ■■ ■ Hen harrier R ■■ ■■ Kestrel A ■■ Corncrake R ■■■■ ■ ■ Golden plover R ■■ ■ ■ Grey plover A ■■■ Lapwing R ■■ ■ ■ A ■■ ■ ■■ ■ ■■ ■ Bar-tailed R ■■ ■ ■ R ■■■ ■ Black-headed A ■■ ■■ ■ ■ Common gull G ■■ Herring gull A ■■ ■■ Great black-backed gull A ■■ R ■■ ■ ■ ■■ ■■ Common tern A ■■■ tern A ■ ■■ Little tern R ■■■ ■ Puffin R ■■■■ Turtle dove R ■■ ■■■ ■ Hen harrier NA – Not addressed Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Wales’ new red list Non-breeding decline 25 years Non-breeding decline longer term Breeding decline longer term Breeding decline 25 years Further recovery from historical decline from historical recovery Further Recovering historical decline Recovering Range decline longer term Range Range decline 25 yearsRange 1 2 Non-breeding decline longer term Non-breeding decline Non-breeding decline 25 yearsNon-breeding decline 1 2 1 2 2 1 Breeding decline longer term Breeding decline longer Breeding decline 25 yearsBreeding decline 25 Range decline longer term Range Range decline 25 yearsRange 2 1 2 1 2 1 BDr WDp BDMr WDp WDMp WDMp BDMr BDMp Previous population status Previous Status IUCN Global Conservation HD Historic decline BDp BDMp BDr SPEC European conservation status HDrec BR Breeding rarity WR Non-breeding rarity BL Breeding localised WL Non-breeding localised UKred UK red list Wales population in At least 50% UK UK 50 Wales of UK rare breeders’ pop in At least 10% BRUK Wales of UK rare non-breeders in At least 10% WRUK BI Breeding internationally important WI Non-breeding internationally important HDrec Species BDp

Cuckoo G ■■ ■ Short-eared owl A ■■ ■■ Lesser spotted woodpecker R ■■ ■ Yellow wagtail A ■■ ■ Ring ouzel R ■■ ■ Grasshopper warbler R ■■ ■ Wood warbler G ■■ ■ Willow warbler G ■ Spotted flycatcher A ■■ ■ ■ Pied flycatcher G ■ Marsh tit R ■■■ ■ Willow tit R ■■ ■ ■ Starling R ■■ ■ ■ Tree sparrow R ■■ ■ ■ Linnet A ■■■ ■ Twite A ■■ ■ ■ ■■ ■ Lesser redpoll G ■■ ■ Bullfinch R ■ Yellowhammer R ■■ ■ Corn bunting R ■■■ ■■■ ■

Yellow wagtail Wales’ new amber list Non-breeding decline longer term Non-breeding decline longer term Non-breeding decline Non-breeding decline 25 yearsNon-breeding decline Non-breeding decline 25 years Breeding decline 25 years Breeding decline longer term Breeding decline longer term Breeding decline longer Breeding decline 25 yearsBreeding decline 25 Further recovery from historical decline recovery Further Further recovery from historical decline from historical recovery Further Recovering historical decline Recovering Recovering historical decline historical Recovering Range decline longer term Range Range decline longer term decline Range Range decline 25 years decline Range Range decline 25 yearsRange 2 2 1 1 2 2 1 1 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 BDMr WDMp WDMp BDMr WDMp BDMp WDMp BDMp Previous population status Previous SPEC European conservation status HDrec Previous population status population Previous status SPEC European conservation HDrec BDMp BDMp BDMr BDMr BR Breeding rarity WR Non-breeding rarity BL Breeding localised WL Non-breeding localised UKred UK red list Wales population in At least 50% UK UK 50 Wales breeders’ of UK rare pop in At least 10% BRUK Wales non-breeders of UK rare in At least 10% WRUK BI Breeding internationally important WI Non-breeding internationally important HDrec Species Species BR Breeding rarity WR Non-breeding rarity BL Breeding localised WL Non-breeding localised UKred UK red list Wales At least 50% UK population in UK 50 Wales of UK rare breeders’ pop in At least 10% BRUK Wales of UK rare non-breeders in At least 10% WRUK BI Breeding internationally important WI Non-breeding internationally important HDrec

Mute swan G ■ Slavonian grebe G ■■ Bewick’s swan A ■■ Black-necked grebe G ■ Barnacle goose A ■■Sooty shearwater G ■■ Brent goose A ■■■Manx shearwater A ■ ■■■■ Shelduck A ■■■Storm-petrel A ■ Wigeon A ■ Leach’s storm-petrel G ■ Gadwall A ■■ Gannet A ■■ Teal A ■ Cormorant A ■ Mallard A ■■ ■ Bittern R ■■■ Pintail A ■■■Spoonbill NA ■■ Garganey A ■■ Honey-buzzard A ■■ Shoveler A ■ ■ Red kite A ■■■ Tufted duck G ■ Marsh harrier G ■ Greater scaup A ■■■ Osprey G ■■ Eider A ■ Merlin A ■ Long-tailed duck G ■ Hobby A ■ Common scoter A ■■Spotted crake A ■ Velvet scoter G ■■ Oystercatcher A ■■ Smew G ■■ Avocet G ■■ Red-breasted merganser G ■ Ringed plover R ■■ Quail A ■■ ■ Knot R ■■ ■■ Red-throated diver A ■ Sanderling G ■ Black-throated diver G ■■ Ruff G ■■■ Great northern diver G ■ Jack G ■■ Red-necked grebe G ■ Snipe A ■ Wales’ new amber list Non-breeding decline longer term Non-breeding decline longer term Non-breeding decline Non-breeding decline 25 yearsNon-breeding decline Non-breeding decline 25 years Breeding decline 25 yearsBreeding decline 25 Breeding decline 25 years Breeding decline longer term Breeding decline longer Breeding decline longer term Further recovery from historical decline from historical recovery Further Further recovery from historical decline recovery Further Recovering historical decline historical Recovering Recovering historical decline Recovering Range decline longer term decline Range Range decline longer term Range Range decline 25 years decline Range Range decline 25 yearsRange 2 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 BDMr WDMp BDMr WDMp BDMp BDMp WDMp WDMp Previous population status Previous SPEC European conservation status HDrec Previous population status population Previous status conservation SPEC European HDrec BDMp BDMp BDMr BDMr BR Breeding rarity WR Non-breeding rarity BL Breeding localised WL Non-breeding localised UKred UK red list Wales At least 50% UK population in UK 50 Wales of UK rare breeders’ pop in At least 10% BRUK Wales of UK rare non-breeders in At least 10% WRUK BI Breeding internationally important WI Non-breeding internationally important HDrec Species BR Breeding rarity WR Non-breeding rarity BL Breeding localised WL Non-breeding localised UKred UK red list Wales population in At least 50% UK UK 50 Wales breeders’ of UK rare pop in At least 10% BRUK Wales non-breeders of UK rare in At least 10% WRUK BI Breeding internationally important WI Non-breeding internationally important HDrec Species

Woodcock A ■ House martin G ■ Black-tailed godwit A ■■■Tree pipit G ■ Whimbrel A ■■ pipit G ■ Spotted redshank G ■■ Dipper G ■ Redshank A ■■■ ■ ■ Black redstart G ■ Common G ■■ Redstart A ■ A ■ Wheatear G ■ Arctic G ■ Fieldfare G ■ Long-tailed skua G ■ Song thrush A ■ Mediterranean gull G ■ Redwing G ■ Little gull NA ■ Garden warbler G ■ Lesser black-backed gull A ■■ ■ Whitethroat G ■ Sandwich tern A ■■ Dartford warbler A ■ Black tern G ■ Goldcrest G ■ Guillemot G ■ Firecrest A ■ Black guillemot A ■■ Bearded tit NA ■■■ Barn owl A ■ Long-tailed tit G ■ Long-eared owl A ■ Coal tit G ■ Nightjar A ■■ ■ ■ Chough A ■■ Swift G ■ NA ■ Kingfisher A ■ House sparrow A ■■ Green woodpecker A ■ Hawfinch G ■■ Skylark A ■■Lapland bunting G ■ Sand martin A ■ Snow bunting G ■ Swallow A ■ Reed bunting A ■ Wales’ new red and amber lists: themes and messages

These lists should be seen as a tool for warbler, pied flycatcher and lesser identifying conservation priorities redpoll. Seven species were assessed Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com) Gomersall Chris among the range of birds in Wales and for the first time and one, the Balearic the life-stages of individual species. shearwater, was placed on the red list. They are not, however, intended for A few species have changed lists use in isolation. Many other factors, because of changes to the criteria. such as current threats, feasibility of action and likelihood of success, must Birds of farmed habitats be taken into account when identifying None of the birds of farmed habitats11 conservation priorities. The red and red-listed in 2002 have moved to lower amber lists are a starting point for lists, which indicates that measures put such decisions. in place to help them, such as agri- environment schemes, have yet to be Importantly, the major bird successful. Four birds of farmed conservation organisations in Wales habitats are new to the red list: the endorse the lists (see last page). kestrel, yellow wagtail, linnet and twite.

The increase in length of both red and Woodland birds amber lists since the first assessment Recent woodland surveys have indicates marked changes in the provided vital data, and resulted in five population status of many species. woodland species moving to the red Nine species moved to a lower list: the list: the wood warbler, willow warbler, ringed plover, knot and bittern from red pied flycatcher and lesser redpoll from to amber, and the little egret, peregrine green to red, and the spotted flycatcher falcon, water rail, kittiwake, stock dove from amber to red. and stonechat from amber to green. Sixty-three species moved to a higher Seabirds list, with seven moving straight from This review shows that the numbers of green to red: the pochard, common some of Wales’ seabirds continue to be gull, cuckoo, wood warbler, willow healthy, in contrast to other parts of the

Sandwich terns 11Birds typical of lowland farmland are pooled with upland birds into a single group called birds of farmed habitats. UK. Indeed the kittiwake moved from example, Arctic terns moved to the red Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com) the amber to the green list and list because of a longer term severe guillemot numbers are now decline in the number of their nesting internationally important. However, four colonies, despite their overall population species moved to the red list – the increasing sufficiently for them to be herring gull and great black-backed gull considered for the green list. Similarly, because of declines in breeding following successful nest protection, numbers, and the common tern and red kites have continued their recovery Arctic tern because of longer term in numbers, which qualifies this species declines in range. Causes of these for the green list, but the Welsh declines are likely to include change in population is now internationally food supplies, more disturbance and important so it qualifies as amber. milder climate, which influences where birds spend the winter. Differences to the UK Of the species assessed in Wales, 149 Wading birds (70%) are on the same list as in the Breeding and non-breeding wading wider UK. There are, however, some birds feature strongly on the red and important differences. For example, amber lists (21 species). Some are although the nightjar, skylark, house red-listed because of declines in sparrow and song thrush are on the UK breeding numbers: the lapwing, golden red list, they are on the Wales amber plover and curlew. list. This is because they have not declined here. However, of these, only Others are red-listed because of the song thrush is amber-listed in Wales declines on their estuarine wintering solely because of its UK red list status. sites: the grey plover, dunlin and The remaining three species are bar-tailed godwit. For some this decline important in Europe. Eighteen species could be the result of eastwards range are red-listed in Wales but not in the shifts, while for others there could be UK, including breeding and wintering problems on Arctic breeding grounds. , seabirds and woodland birds.

Recovery Further details It is important to understand that A detailed report of the revised assigning to lists in this way can mask population status of birds in Wales is divergent changes in fortune. For available from the RSPB.

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