When was year dot?

It was with no surprise that I read an article in the Daily Telegraph detailing the decline in pan-European numbers of farmland birds.

We all know the reasons: intensification of agriculture, pesticides, yadda, yadda, but what we are never told is what the conservation bodies deem to be a minimum acceptable population.

Declines are measured against an arbitrary year in the past, probably, one imagines, the one that produces the sharpest decrease in numbers.

What it is worth mentioning is that many – if not all – of these species have benefited from the fact that many of their ‘traditional’ areas were once pristine, native forest that was cleared by human beings.

Maybe, the numbers we see now are perhaps true reflections of the populations of these species say 1,000 or 2,000 years ago and the real losers are woodland birds.

It all depends really on where you set the starting point…

It would be extremely interesting to see the BTO or the RSPB produce a document with the desired minimum populations of all species of birds breeding in the United – Kingdom - at least then there would be a target to aim for.

I imagine the line from both these organisations would be that we want as many as possible, but I’m afraid in today’s world that simply isn’t realistic.

With established figures, work could then begin on establishing enough habitats for the birds to breed in.

Not been out much recently – at least to proper birding locations – due to the lack of a vehicle. Cars are just getting too bloody expensive, so a switch to two wheels as oppose to four is one the cards.

It will be interesting to see how difficult it will be to carry kit around without my motor – especially all the paraphernalia that goes with a seawatch!

Until later.