Bird experts fear for kestrel
While some of the bird of prey species is increasing in their number, kestrel seem not to have the same luck. The low success rate of kestrel breeding make the bird expert share their concern.
I found the new from Thefordandbrandontimes site:
Bird experts fear for kestrel
29 November 2006
Experts are growing increasingly concerned for the future of one of Britain’s most popular birds of prey following a disastrous breeding year.
Officials from the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), based in Thetford, placed the kestrel on a threatened species list last week as a result of declining populations.
The bird, which used to be a common sight hovering above roadside verges across the UK, has seen its numbers reduce by 30pc over the last 25 years.
BTO ecologists have now put the kestrel on its Nest Record Scheme (NRS) Concern List as a result of its poor productivity.
The list, which includes 21 other species, including the barn owl, skylark, spotted flycatcher, and ringed plover, aims to provide an early warning system for authorities and highlights the possible need for conservation in the future.
Paul Stancliffe, from the BTO, said the kestrel was suffering from a reduction in suitable hunting habitats as a result of agricultural intensification and a shortage of its main rodent food supply.
Research had also indicated that average kestrel brood sizes had reduced from five chicks to three.
“It has been pretty widespread across the country and East Anglia has been hit as well. It has been a really, really bad year for the kestrel because productivity has been so low.
There were fairly low numbers in the 70s, which did increase, but they have been steadily declining since the 1990s.â€
“Hopefully they will bounce back next year, but if it continues, it will be really worrying,†he said.
For more information, log on to www.bto.org.