COUNTDOWN 2002 - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme

Linnet (Carduelis cannabina)

Date compiled - 1998
Date reviewed - 1999, 2001, 2002

Objective

Confirm population statistics and safeguard existing key breeding and wintering sites.

Current Status

The linnet is a Red List species on the list of Birds of Conservation Concern (RSPB, 1996), its numbers having declined in the UK by >50% over the last 25 years. Although it has shown some signs of a recent recovery nationally, action is still required to raise its numbers to former levels. National trend analysis in 'The State of the UK's Birds 2000' survey (RSPB, WWT, BTO) shows a short term decline of 13% and a long term decline of 54%. Historically in the Cheshire region it was considered 'common but of patchy distribution', favouring hedgerows, scrub land and young forestry plantation as breeding habitat. The total population in the Cheshire region has been estimated at about 3,500 pairs (Guest et al, 1992).

The linnet is included on the Middle List of Globally Threatened/Declining species in the UK Steering Group Report.

Records of linnets on the rECOrd database as at 01/12/00 (red = post 1980, black = pre 1980):

Threats

• Loss of abundant seed resources due to:
  • Loss of weed rich field margins.
  • Excessive use of herbicides.
  • Change in local farming practice resulting in reduction of rape fields which form an important food supply for chicks.
• Loss of nesting habitat due to loss of hedgerows and scrubland.
  

Current Action

• Farmland Bird Management Guidelines produced jointly by RSPB, BTO and FWAG.
• BTO Common Bird Census continues to be carried out.
• 4th year of a study examining the long-term persistence of farmland birds (includes Linnet with Skylark, Yellow Hammer and Chaffinch) being carried out by the Ecology and Behaviour Group, Oxford University. This work includes the analysis of national CBC data.
• The introduction of the new arable options into the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in 2002 will significantly add to the value of this scheme in delivering widespread benefits for the linnet and other farmland birds.
  

Action Required

• Form links with the Cereal Field Margins BAP and the Ancient and/or species-rich Hedgerows BAP.
• Work closely with existing farmland and farmland management BAP groups to maximise success in this area.
• Liaise closely existing external parties carrying out work related to linnet conservation.
• Liaise closely with landowners/managers of suitable habitat for linnet to maintain quality habitats.
• Establish key distribution and controlling factors of the linnet population specific to the Cheshire region.
  

Action Completed

• LBAP Action Group has been formed.
• Links to other farmland Bird BAPs through the generic farmland bird BAP
• Targeting agri - environment schemes at farmland bird hotspots in the region.
  

Actual LBAP Implementers

RSPB; BTO; CAWOS; CWT; FWAG; Cheshire County Council; PMH Natural History Services.

Other potential implementers

BASC; CLA; SECOS.

Contact

Roy Leigh
Phone: 01606 333296

References

HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society: Cheshire and Wirral Bird Reports.
Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society (1992): The Breeding Bird Atlas of Cheshire and Wirral.
RSPB (1995): Birds of conservation concern in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, RSPB.
Shorrock (1976): The Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland, T & D Byser.

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