A study of bird numbers, used to reflect the health of our environment, has revealed a north and south divide; with birds doing better in the north than they are in the south.
It's a huge generalisation, but it does paint a fairly desperate picture, and that's where we are. Politicians and bankers are all performing headless chicken contortions, but they need to know that long-term recovery plans MUST include environmental protection and improvements. What use is a healthy bank balance in a biodiversity bankrupt world.
Back to those Bird Indicator figures. The Capital has bucked national trends for the south, and has seen an average 6% increase in bird numbers compared with 1994. So what's going on?
The study looks at woodland, farmland and a more general list of birds. It started in 1994 and that's our baseline. Here's a handy table to help compare figures, it shows the percentage difference against the 1994 baseline.
Farmland Birds
Woodland Birds
All Birds
Region
Average change (%)
South East England
-28
-19
-12
South West England
-23
-13
-10
West Midlands
-3
-7
East Midlands
-14
North East England
1
2
East of England
4
North-west England
London
8
6
Yorkshire & Humber
-2
9
North-east England
3
Yorkshire 7 Humber
11
13
7
North West England
31
16
Of London's woodland birds, great spotted woodpecker, blackcap, great tit and chaffinch are doing well. Song thrush and blackbird numbers are both down
Farmland birds are having a good time. Goldfinch are increasing more here than anywhere else in England. Greenfinch and wood pigeon are flourishing but starling's well down.
In the All Birds category. Of the 62 species surveyed, 21 are declining with house sparrow showing the biggest falls. 29 of the 62 species are increasing, with collared dove leading the charge.
So London's doing alright? No. It's not. The city's not broken, but as far as wildlife is concerned, it is creaking at the edges. It does have more food around than the countryside and is a degree or two warmer, so it's become a sort of mixed-up non-refuge. Rampant development and under investment in our public green spaces could push things over the edge. London needs a green revolution if the headline "City Breaks" is to refer to holidays and not the loss of its wildlife.
The causes of the changes in bird numbers are complex and vary between species. What we’re looking at is a mix of influences. These include this year’s early drought and climate change; loss of food and habitat, and disease and predation.
The good news is, there's something we can all do. The crucial news is that what's behind these statistics are changes to our environment; and that's why we should all give a damn.
Londoners can help by managing communal and outdoor space in a way that supports wildlife, by putting out additional food and water and by keeping feeders clean.
Individuals can also help by supporting RSPB campaigns to retain and clarify laws protecting our wildlife and the countryside.
Our Government, industry, bankers and commerce can help by investing in job creation that improves our surroundings and encourages good stewardship of our environment.