Autumn migration is already underway in the bird world, but this year there could be fewer travellers than usual. A review by the British Trust for Ornithology, working with other international conservation organisations, has found that more than half of these global travellers are suffering major declines in numbers.
African-Eurasian Flyway Under Threat
Many of the species under threat use the African-Eurasian flyway, one of the largest mass-migration systems on the planet. Cuckoos and swifts have already left the UK, while swallows and many warbler species will not depart until September. Arctic-breeding waders have begun stopping off at coastal marshes to refuel for their long journey south.
Climate Crisis and Extreme Weather
Among the many and complex causes of these declines, including habitat loss, disease and pesticide use, one stands out: the climate crisis. It is not just the long-term effects of major shifts that affect migratory birds, but also the extreme weather events that have become far more frequent and intense. The current heatwave across much of Europe is only the latest of these.
Conservation Strategies Needed
The report calls for conservation strategies that address all of these threats across birds' lifecycles and along all of the international flyways, combined with efforts closer to home to create and preserve habitats for these vulnerable species.
