As most birders are aware, the causes of the worrying decline of our summer migrants to these shores are many and varied. We are aware that the BTO and RSPB have joined forces to mount the largest research project of its type to understand more about our birds that spend the winter south of the Sahara desert. Council felt that as this is such an important project, members would like us to support the RSPB team with a grant of £5000 to carry out their research in Ghana and Burkina Faso.

There is also a possibility that in due course we will be able to ask one of the researchers to give us an update on how this work is progressing at a future Conference meeting.
A. Wende. Chair of Council

Full details of this project are set out below -

UK RESEARCHERS FLY SOUTH TO INVESTIGATE
SUMMER MIGRANT DECLINES

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the RSPB, have joined forces to mount the largest research project of its type to understand more about our birds that spend the winter south of the Sahara desert.

Some of the greatest declines of birds in the UK are among those species, including the cuckoo, turtle dove, nightingale and wood warbler, which spend the summer in Europe but winter in Africa.

Recent figures suggest that more than 40 per cent of all migratory species passing between Europe and Africa have declined in the last three decades. Alarmingly, one in 10 of these are considered to be of global conservation concern.

The project will involve researchers monitoring birds along a corridor stretching from Ghana’s Atlantic coast to northern Burkina Faso, spanning a range of habitats from coastal rainforest to the edge of the Sahara desert.

The RSPB's Dr Danaë Sheehan, who will be monitoring birds in West Africa, said: “The drastic declines of some of our best-loved summer-visiting birds, such as the cuckoo, turtle dove and nightingale, is one of the greatest concerns currently raging in conservation.

“Although we have a reasonable understanding of these birds in the UK, we have little or no idea what's happening to these birds in their wintering grounds, but it’s clear that without help these declines are likely to continue, reducing the populations of these summer visitors to dangerously low levels.”

Dr Chris Hewson, Research Ecologist at the BTO, commented: “If we are to reverse
these alarming declines we need to act now. To do this we need to better understand where these birds spend the winter months and what pressures they face there. If we can find this out we will be in a strong position to help secure their future.”

He added. “Ongoing research is focussed on the potential causes of the declines during the breeding season here in the UK. However, problems on the wintering grounds could also be driving the declines, in particular, the predicted increase in the human population and the associated change of land use. These birds are facing a double whammy, and to help them we need to be looking at both ends of their migration.”

A number of potential causes for the declines of migrants have been suggested, including: climate change, changes in rainfall patterns, and land degradation. Predicted increases in human population and climatic variability in West Africa are likely to exacerbate these threats.

Of 105 widespread countryside birds in the UK, eight out of twelve of those declining most rapidly since the mid 1990s are summer migrants. According to the latest bird population estimates, published in the 2008 Breeding Bird Survey, the following summer migrants are suffering the greatest population declines between 1995 and 2007:
turtle dove,-66 per cent; wood warbler,-60 per cent; pied flycatcher, -51 per cent; yellow wagtail, -49 per cent; whinchat, -43 per cent; nightingale, -41 per cent; spotted flycatcher, -38 per cent; and cuckoo, -37 per cent.

The team of researchers will be counting and ringing birds at several ‘points’ in both Ghana and Burkina Faso, across a breadth of habitats, from dense tropical rainforest to semi-desert. By recording birds at these points several times during the year, researchers hope to build up a detailed picture of the movements and habitat preferences of European migratory birds wintering in Africa.

The conditions for fieldwork will be extreme, especially in the semi-desert areas where temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius in the shade. High humidity, elephants and malaria-carrying mosquitoes are some of the other hazards faced by field workers.

The UK project partners are the RSPB and the British Trust for Ornithology. In Africa they will be joined by the Ghana Wildlife Society and Naturama, the BirdLife International partners in Ghana and Burkina Faso. Also involved will be Dansk Ornitologisk Forening (DOF), the BirdLife Partner in Denmark, who are currently looking to establish a permanent operational base in Ghana, and Vogelbescherming Nederland (VBN), who are the supporting partner of Naturama.

The Sussex Ornithological Society has provided £5000 towards the project, and Porzana Ltd, a supplier and manufacturer of bird rings, have donated the rings.

The booking form for next year's conference is available by clicking here.

The problem that stopped the Sightings Page from working has now been fixed. Many apologies - shame it had to occur while I was away from internet access for a week or so.

Please revert to posting sightings via the page rather than emailing them to the sightings address.

Chris Brown.

Thursday 17th September - Beachy Head

Eleven members met Tim Parmenter for a mid-week walk around the Birling Gap area. The blustery wind did not help viewing as most birds stayed tucked away in the trees and bushes. In total some 33 species were seen but migrants were few with just Yellow Wagtail, Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat plus many Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins on the move. The highlight was probably the 20 or so clouded yellow butterflies. (Tim Parmenter)

Sunday 13th September - Pett Level and Dungeness

Eighteen members met with John Trowell beside a very dry Pett Pools. It was good to welcome quite a few new members, some new to birding. Many Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins were flying overhead, whilst Curlew and other birds were noted around the area. Three Dunlin were found on a distant pool whilst a flock of Common Scoter was noted on the sea. A Peregrine looked interested in a high flying flock of Lapwing but soon gave up the chase. The wind was quite stiff and chilly and it was decided to drive to Dungeness and initially visit the ARC pit. Here 1 Ruff, 4 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, female Marsh Harrier and quite a few ducks including a single Pintail were found. Moving on to the RSPB reserve the best bird of the day for the group was the Great White Egret, also several more Marsh Harriers and a Cetti's Warbler. A total of 55 species was noted. (Audrey Wende)