Birdwatching

MIGRANT BIRDS.



Mystery Is surrounding the huge declines of birds that migrate thousands of miles from Africa to Europe each spring.
Scientist fear that their dwindling numbers may be a warning of widespread environmental damage.
Climate change, drought and desertification in Africa, and massive pesticide use on African farmland may all be to blame for the declines of once common birds such as , the spottef flycatcher, northen wheatear, wood wabler and European Turtledove, Europe starts a study Led by the birdwatchers groups.






At the same time, birds such as the European roller pallid harrier and lesser kestrel have also vanished from regular breeding sites on the continent.
All three are now classified as near-or globally threatened.
There is something about the migrants, lifestyle that is making them vulnerable and their declines are reminiscent of those we began to see in farmland birds 30 years ago.








Migrants have been slipping away for more than three decades but the scale of their disappearance is only now becoming apparent.
To Investigate four theories for the loss of migrant birds>>>>>>
CLIMATE CHANGE.....air temperatures are changing and warmer springs are causing insects to breed earlier? Resident birds may be surviving winters better and, alongside insects, are adapting more quickly to climate change, long distance migrants flying from Africa cannot detect the temperature increase that heralds an early spring in Europe and may arrive too late to use the best nest sites and catch the insect food glut on which their young depend.


Drought and agriculture in the Sahel.... The Sahel borders the southern Sahara, stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Horn of Africa in the east. It covers 1.6 billion hectares and includes regions of 12 countries,. Long term drought and agricultural intensification, including the <idespread use of pesticides and fertilisers, has turned much of the sahel into desert.
The area is the first feeding opportunity for migrants crossing the SAHARA.






Desertification.....The Sahara is now much bigger than it used to be, also because of drought.
Migrating birds must fly over this desert in one flight, to reach their winter homes. The birds may be unable to fly further in one go and if so, many will not cope with the longer journey .

Pest control... Huge amounts of pesticides are now used to kill locusts and protect crops in Africa, and may be killing birds as well, However, there is proof that conservation work for threatened migrants can be effective.