Farmland bird populations declined between 2008 and 2009. The unsmoothed index showed a decline of 5% for England and the smoothed index showed a decline of 3%. Both indices are lower than their lowest recorded value since the 1966 starting value by 53%.
Bird indicators are regarded as being a good indicator of general stat of wildlife because they occupy a wide range of habitats. Twelve of the species included in the index declined between 2008 and 2009 and seven species increased. Many of the species showing a downward trend have been in decline for four or five years. Goldfinch and Jackdaw have shown long-term upward trends.
The indicators of wild bird populations are published by Defra along with the RSPB and the BTO. They show changes in the breeding and wintering populations of common bird species.
Showing posts with label farmland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label farmland. Show all posts
Friday, 6 August 2010
Friday, 16 April 2010
Wild Birds In Britain's Countryside
A recent statistical release from Defra provides the latest figures on the bird populations on farmland and woodland and all-native wild birds in the English Government Office Regions between 1994-2008.
The statistics say that between 1994-2008 farmland birds declined by 10% or more in five of the Government's Regions namely the South-West, South East, the East of England, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. The South East reported the largest decline of 23% below the 1994 baseline. The overall farmland birds indicator fell by 11% in that period. At the national level, there were declines of over 25% in Corn Bunting, Linnet, Grey Partridge, Yellow Wagtail, Starling and Turtle Dove and increases of over 25% in Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon and Whitethroat.
The woodland bird indicator increased by more than 10% between 1994 and 2008 in four regions - the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside and the East Midlands. The indicator fell in two regions, the South East and the South West. The largest regional increase was in the North West at 43%. Yorkshire and Humberside came next with a 31% increase. The overall woodland bird indicator for England fell 6% over the same period. Nationally, there were declines of over 50% in Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker and increases of over 50% in Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Willow Tit.
The all-native bird indicator for England increased by 3%. The all-native bird population indicator increased by 10% in three regions, Yorkshire and Humberside, the North East and the North West. The biggest increase was in the North West with 26%.
The data for the Defra statistical reports were based on annual data from the British Trust for Ornithology's Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
The statistics say that between 1994-2008 farmland birds declined by 10% or more in five of the Government's Regions namely the South-West, South East, the East of England, the East Midlands and the West Midlands. The South East reported the largest decline of 23% below the 1994 baseline. The overall farmland birds indicator fell by 11% in that period. At the national level, there were declines of over 25% in Corn Bunting, Linnet, Grey Partridge, Yellow Wagtail, Starling and Turtle Dove and increases of over 25% in Jackdaw, Goldfinch, Tree Sparrow, Woodpigeon and Whitethroat.
The woodland bird indicator increased by more than 10% between 1994 and 2008 in four regions - the North West, the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside and the East Midlands. The indicator fell in two regions, the South East and the South West. The largest regional increase was in the North West at 43%. Yorkshire and Humberside came next with a 31% increase. The overall woodland bird indicator for England fell 6% over the same period. Nationally, there were declines of over 50% in Great Spotted Woodpecker, Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker and increases of over 50% in Spotted Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Willow Tit.
The all-native bird indicator for England increased by 3%. The all-native bird population indicator increased by 10% in three regions, Yorkshire and Humberside, the North East and the North West. The biggest increase was in the North West with 26%.
The data for the Defra statistical reports were based on annual data from the British Trust for Ornithology's Breeding Bird Survey (BBS).
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Farmland Prices
According to recent RICS data on farmland prices during H1 2008 there was a 47% rise year-on-year, the fastest in the survey's history, compared with 28% year-on-year in H2 2007. In H2 2008 both arable and pasture land prices fell.
Reported sales increased by 50% in year to H1 2008. The revised figures for H2 2007 show a fall of 2%. In H2 2008 farmland sales increased 16% to 270. Individual farmers share of purchases increased from 50-60% between H2 2007 and H2 2008 and agricultural businesses share increased from 5-8%.
Strong demand below all the time high of H1 2007 in H1 2008. Residential demand fell for the first time since Q4 2005 during the same period. In H2 2008 demand for residential and non-residential land both fell and in the residential sector it was the fastest fall in the survey's history. The lifestyle buyers were once one of the main drivers of the residential sector. Commercial sector demand is still strong. UK banks have been willing to lend to the agricultural sector and it has risen by 8.2% year-on-year.
The increases in availability in both residential and commercial sectors from H1 2008 remained stable. Rising input costs have been making it more difficult for many of the smaller farming estates. Residential sector supply fell at the fastest rate since H2 2005.
Commercial sector farmland price expectations remain positive, above the long run averages. Residential farmland price expectations became negative for first time since Q4 2005 in H1 2008 and fell further to the lowest in the survey's history in H2 2008.
The average price for arable land in England and Wales was £13,182/ha in H2 2008 down a fall from £14,463/ha a 20% change over the year and for pasture £11,490, from £11,477/ha and an annual change of 16%. The range was £11,120 to £14,827 for arable and £12,356 to £7,660 for pasture. The average rent in England and Wales for arable land during H2 2008 was £155 (AHA 86) and £226 (ATA 95) and for pasture £114 (AHA 86) and £164 (AHA 95).
Reported sales increased by 50% in year to H1 2008. The revised figures for H2 2007 show a fall of 2%. In H2 2008 farmland sales increased 16% to 270. Individual farmers share of purchases increased from 50-60% between H2 2007 and H2 2008 and agricultural businesses share increased from 5-8%.
Strong demand below all the time high of H1 2007 in H1 2008. Residential demand fell for the first time since Q4 2005 during the same period. In H2 2008 demand for residential and non-residential land both fell and in the residential sector it was the fastest fall in the survey's history. The lifestyle buyers were once one of the main drivers of the residential sector. Commercial sector demand is still strong. UK banks have been willing to lend to the agricultural sector and it has risen by 8.2% year-on-year.
The increases in availability in both residential and commercial sectors from H1 2008 remained stable. Rising input costs have been making it more difficult for many of the smaller farming estates. Residential sector supply fell at the fastest rate since H2 2005.
Commercial sector farmland price expectations remain positive, above the long run averages. Residential farmland price expectations became negative for first time since Q4 2005 in H1 2008 and fell further to the lowest in the survey's history in H2 2008.
The average price for arable land in England and Wales was £13,182/ha in H2 2008 down a fall from £14,463/ha a 20% change over the year and for pasture £11,490, from £11,477/ha and an annual change of 16%. The range was £11,120 to £14,827 for arable and £12,356 to £7,660 for pasture. The average rent in England and Wales for arable land during H2 2008 was £155 (AHA 86) and £226 (ATA 95) and for pasture £114 (AHA 86) and £164 (AHA 95).
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