Fersiwn Cymraeg ar gael yma
Friday 15 May marked Endangered Species Day – a day for the world to reflect on the ever-increasing list of species of all kind that are under threat of extinction due to a wide variety of issues – and to engage and re-ignite efforts to reverse these declines.
The situation here in Wales is no different. The list of things causing these declines can seem overwhelming and give a sense of helplessness. But this does not have to be the case, and we can turn this around.
Here are a handful of birds whose numbers are declining in Wales and are therefore placed on the Red List of endangered species, and how we can reverse these worrying declines and help these birds as well as nature in a more general sense.
Curlews
Subject of great affection in the Welsh countryside, curlews has seen its breeding population fall a huge 69% since 1995. Wintering numbers have also fallen 37% since the same year. Emergency and urgent action is required to prevent extinction in Wales. There are ongoing projects such as Gylfinir Cymru, and projects with farmers such as the ongoing work in upper Conwy. But curlews are far from being the only countryside bird under threat.
Yellowhammer
The population of this vibrant and striking bird, seen in the open country and hedgerows, has fallen a devastating 64% in Wales since 1995. We believe that a crucial part of reversing this decline will be introducing new agricultural policy in Wales which promotes #NatureFriendlyFarming. We call for the Welsh Government to heed our call for sustainable land management which benefits nature as well as the farmer and the general public.
Lesser spotted woodpecker
There’s been a worrying 30% drop in the lesser spotted woodpecker’s range across Wales since 1968, and it is swiftly becoming a rarity here. It is not currently known to us what the main causes in this continuing drop are, but further research is needed for a complete understanding of the situation.
Kittiwakes
These black-legged seagulls are a familiar sight on our cliffs at this time of the year, amassing in their thousands. But while they may still look numerous, the fall in population of kittiwakes gracing our coastline is sobering. Numbers of kittiwake fell 35% between 1996 and 2015, and we believe that the only way of reversing this decline is to call on our government for drastic and swift change, and to introduce a seabird strategy, with a network of protected sites at sea.
Greenfinch
This bird is a regular to our gardens and hedges, but their numbers are falling partly due to outbreaks of trichomonosis – a disease caught off bird feeders. This is a devastating illness for garden birds, and we must stress how important it is that bird feeders are cleaned on a regular basis. Use 10ml of a safe, non-toxic cleanser and disinfectant, for every five litres of water.
The above are just a handful of examples of birds that are under a very real threat of extinction, unless we act positively and swiftly. But while there are many different causes, together we can find the solutions - and save these birds which not only contribute so much to our ecosystem, but also collectively define the natural make-up of Wales.