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STONECHAT
In 2010, the number of pairs in the Clee Hill
study area decreased to 60% of the 2009 totals. Two years of extremely cold winters throughout the UK seem to be having
significant effects on the populations of this species, which choses to remain in the UK for winter, often moving towards
the South coast in harsh weather.
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2009
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2010
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25
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Foot & Mouth
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33
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32
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44
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48
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41
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44
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44
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24
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WHEATEAR
A worrying decrease is also being observed with the breeding
population of the Clee Hill Wheatear. As these birds spend the winter in Africa, the decline cannot be attributed to our weather
conditions. Some habitat has changed on Clee Hill to reduce nesting sites, but the populations have declined even in areas
where habitat remains unchanged, therefore we are starting to believe that something is happening on their wintering grounds
or on migration that is reducing their numbers.
The full article on '10 year study of the breeding Wheatear
on Clee Hill' appears in Aprils 2010 edition of 'British Birds'.
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2000
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2001
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2002
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2003
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2004
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2005
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2006
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2007
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2008
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2009
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2010
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46
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36
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| Colour ringed Wheatear (female) pic. by J.Robinson |
If anyone spots a colour ringed Stonechat or Wheatear, please notify Dave via this website stating species
sex, location and date sighted. Each bird should a BTO metal ringed plus one colour on left leg, and 2 colours on right leg.
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