COUNTDOWN 2002 - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme

Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos)

Date compiled - 1997
Date reviewed - 1998, 1999, 2001

Objective

Halt and reverse the current decline in song thrush numbers

Current Status

Numbers of this species were at a stable level until the mid 1970's after which they declined steadily with an estimated reduction nationally of 73% in farmland, and 49% in woodland habitats. National trend analysis in 'The State of the UK's Birds 2000' survey (RSPB, WWT, BTO) shows a short term decline of 5% and a long term decline of 59%. In 1982 records for south-east Cheshire showed a decrease of 32% of known territories, but this followed a very cold winter. The actual status of the bird in Cheshire is unknown at present but it seems to be very low.

Listed on the RSPB Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern in the United Kingdom, Channel Isles and the Isle of Man (1996). Protected under the EC Birds Directive; the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, and the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order, 1985.

The song thrush was introduced to the Countdown programme in 1997. To date a BAP Action Group is yet to be formed and individuals or groups interested in being part of the pending action for 2002 are welcome.

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

Threats

• Loss of nesting sites.
• Autumn sowing of cereals.
• Increased use of pesticides.
• Severe winters.
• Hunting in southern France.
  

Current Action

• The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) is currently undertaking a research project into the species ecology and investigating causes for its decline.
• The RSPB, in collaboration with JNCC, has prepared a species action plan.
• The RSPB has also made direct monetary appeals to its membership to help halt the decline of the song thrush and other songbirds.
• Cheshire Wildlife Trust, through its involvement with the MAFF Countryside Stewardship grant scheme (CSS), is encouraging farmers to manage field margins and grasslands for the general benefit of wildlife as well as providing advice on the re-creation of such habitat.
• The introduction of the new arable options into CSS in 2002 will significantly add to the value of this
  scheme in delivering widespread benefits for song thrush and other farmland birds.
  
• Working along with organisations such as FWAG and RSPB, Cheshire Wildlife Trust are highlighting the issue of song thrush decline through raising public awareness at all levels.
  

Action Required

• Form a Local BAP Action Group for the song thrush, possibly in conjunction with other farmland bird BAPAGS.
• Survey the breeding and over-wintering populations of the song thrush in Cheshire.
• Promote an increase in population by encouragement of correct management of existing habitats.
• Encourage the reduction of excessive pesticide use.
• Persuade the European Commission to ban or discourage hunting in France.
• Encourage research into the ecological requirements of the species to help identify the causes of the population decline.
  

Action Completed

• Species recording card for song thrush produced by Cheshire County Council and Vale Royal Borough Council.
  

Actual LBAP Implementers

Other potential implementers

English Nature; European Commission; Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food (MAFF); British Trust for Ornithology; Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society (CAWOS); Cheshire Wildlife Trust; Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG); rECOrd; Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; Farmland owners and managers; Local groups and individuals.

Contact

Cheshire Wildlife Trust
Phone: 01270 610180
Fax: 01270 610430
Email: [email protected]

References

Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society, Cheshire & Wirral Bird Reports.
Guest, J. P., Elphick, D., Hunter, J. S. A. & Norman, D. (1992): The Breeding Bird Atlas of Cheshire and Wirral. Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2:Action Plans, London.
Perkins, A. (1996): Cheshire and Wirral Bird Audit, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, unpublished
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds et al (1996): Birds of Conservation Concern in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

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