Övervakning av fåglarnas populationsutveckling. Årsrapport för 2013.

Translated title of the contribution: Monitoring population changes of birds in Sweden. Annual report for 2013

Research output: Book/ReportReportResearch

Abstract

We present the results of the Swedish Bird Survey, run by the Department of Biology, Lund University, as a part of the National Monitoring Programme of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The results for 2013 include data from 580 winter point count routes in 2012/2013 (38th winter), of which 295 were carried out during the Christmas/New Year count and 273 summer point count routes (39th year). A third programme is running since 1996 with 716 Fixed routes, systematically (semi-randomly) distributed over Sweden (combined line transect and point counts). In total 501 Fixed routes were completed in the summer of 2013 (third best year). In the programme for covering night-active birds (3rd season), 122 routes were covered at three occasions each (March, April and June). Trends were analyzed using TRIM. The geographical distributions of the covered routes are also presented (Fig. 1). In the Christmas/New Year count 2012/2013, about 130,000 individuals of 128 species were counted by 235 observers, which was an increase compared to previous winters. On the point count routes in summer 2013, about 98,000 birds of 200 species were counted by 166 observers. From the Fixed routes 135,000 birds of 219 species were reported by 245 persons. Trend graphs for a large number of species are presented in Fig. 9. More graphs and indices can be found on the homepage (address below). Over the last 10 years, some of the most pronounced declines (at least 4 % per year) are found in Grey Heron, Goldeneye, Common Eider, Goshawk, Willow Ptarmigan, Common Pheasant, Common Coot, Great Black-backed Gull, House Martin, Sand Martin, Siberian Tit, Fieldfare, Redwing, Lesser Whitethroat, the northern subspecies of Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Waxwing, Common Starling, European Greenfinch, Lapland Longspur, Yellowhammer, Rustic and Reed Bunting. Some of the strongest increases the same period (all more than 4 % per year) are shown by Common Crane, Green Sandpiper, Common Redshank, Eurasian Wryneck, Ring Ouzel, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff (both Swedish ssp.), southern Yellow Wagtail, European Goldfinch and crossbills. The night routes showed generally low figures, except for Tengmalm’s Owls in central Sweden. It was a relatively good year for Nightjar, River Warbler and Blyth’s Reed Warbler, while Common Quail had the lowest index so far. Long-term bird indicators were calculated for Sweden based on summer point counts and the species selection and methods of the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme. Farmland birds (“Vanliga jordbruksfåglar”, 14 species) show a more than 50% decline since 1975. Woodland birds (“Vanliga skogsfåglar”, 21 species) have declined with about 30%, whereas a group of other common birds (“Övriga vanliga fåglar”, 45 species) have declined with about 20%. We also present the corresponding indicators based on the new system with Fixed routes (indices since 1998). A set of official indicators of biodiversity within the national Environmental Objectives (set by the Swedish Parliament) are presented as well (Fig. 6). Since 2002, mountain birds have been doing poorly
Translated title of the contributionMonitoring population changes of birds in Sweden. Annual report for 2013
Original languageSwedish
PublisherBiologiska institutionen, Lunds universitet
Commissioning bodySwedish Environmental Protection Agency
Number of pages78
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Ecology

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