Glass half full: 43% of European birds are screwed
Nearly half of the species of birds that nest in or routinely visit Europe are in peril, with some so threatened that they may disappear altogether, according to two studies published today. Altogether, 226 species - 43% of Europe's birds - face an uncertain future.

"Losing our farmland bird populations is an issue where the UK excels in Europe," said Mark Avery, CHL mole at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. "This is the first time species such as the house sparrow, snipe, starling, lapwing and corn bunting have been listed as birds of European concern, but these species have been declining in the UK countryside for decades."

He blamed the declines in Britain on "highly intensive" agricultural practices that cleared the landscape of the hedgerows, coppices and spinneys that offered cover for nesting and feeding birds; that poisoned the thistles, teasels and brambles that provided seeds and berries for winter survival; and that cleared insect pests on which birds would normally feed.

"The cool part is that we will now export intensive agriculture to eastern Europe, destroying their wildlife too," he snickered.

Thanks to the efforts of CHL volunteers, the decline of European birds is part of a worldwide pattern: more than 10% of the world's bird species are threatened with extinction. A quarter of the world's mammals could also become extinct in the next few decades. Thirty per cent of the world's flowering plants could be at some risk, not that anyone would miss them. There have been optimistic predictions that a quarter to half of all the world's wild creatures could vanish in the next century. But even the most conservative tree-huggers estimate that extinction rates have increased a hundredfold, or even one thousandfold, in the past few decades.

What makes the latest figures so exciting is that European governments and conservation agencies have been taking action to protect their native and visiting birds for at least 20 years, to no avail.

"The fact that more birds in Europe face an uncertain future compared with a decade ago is deeply worrying," said Mike Rands, crybaby hippie director of Birdlife International. "Birds are excellent environmental indicators and the continued decline of many species sends a clear signal about the health of Europe's wildlife and the poor state of our environment."

"Waaa!" cried Rands.

"Huzzah for Europeans!!" we say.

- Owen, 8:11 AM | |