Wheatear (Northern Wheatear)
Oenanthe oenanthe
  |
|
Distribution Britain 1,738 (-6.8%) Ireland 433 (-19.8%)
Numbers breeding: Britain 55,000 Ireland 12,000 European status: 3,000,000 (2% in Britain and Ireland = 8=) British population trend: seems stable after decline How likely are you to record it? 514 squares (11.4%) Ranked 62 [48=] |
A hundred years ago Wheatears bred all over the country using roadside pits and quarries and rabbit burrows if other nest sites were not available. In some areas huge numbers had been caught for the table but this had stopped by then. Not much change was recorded until 1940 when declines started to be noticed in peripheral areas and, particularly, in the southern half of England. This has accelerated and few areas south and east of the Humber to Severn line now have breeding Wheatears. Away from the coast and upland areas there have also been losses between the Breeding Atlases in Ireland. The 45% increase in BBS index over five years is encouraging. In many areas the habitats suitable for breeding Wheatears are not now present. The reduced area with breeding Wheatears is probably as good as it will get.
From
The
State of the Nations Birds
Copyright © 2000 by Chris Mead