Societe report finds worrying decline in local bird life

The report completed by La Societe Guernesiaise for 2023 catalogues 196 different species spotted in the island, from the everyday blue tit to the more exotic glossy ibis, and identifies declines in once-common species like the skylark and the cuckoo.

Societe ornithology section secretary Julie Davis said the report showed the island was suffering similar declines to those seen in the UK due to climate change and habitat pressures.

‘Since 1970 the UK has lost 73 million individual birds,’ she said.

‘And that loss is reflected here.’

There were steep declines in seabirds and numbers of wading birds, she said, with this being partly attributed to disturbance issues.

‘All wading birds are now on the UK red list,’ she said.

‘Our natural areas are under increased pressure as the population rises.

‘Year-round swimming, dog walking, paragliders and jet skis all add to that.

‘If you look at the turnstone, we used to have an internationally-recognised over-wintering site. In 2005 there would be sightings of 200-plus birds in one place, which was already a decline from the 1980s. In 2023 we had a maximum count of 60.’

There have been 333 different speciescatalogued in Guernsey since records were first taken, with around 80 species regularly breeding locally.

The last island-wide report was published from 2005, although La Societe has continued to publish a rare bird sightings report since that time.

However, Ms Davis said there had been winners and losers from the effects of climate change.

‘We are seeing more members of the Heron family visiting our shores.

‘If you take the cattle egret, not so long ago we would have got a phone alert if one was seen, but in 2023 there were sightings logged in every month of the year.

‘Herons have been moving up through Europe as temperatures increase and we are expecting to see more of the purple heron as a result of that.’

Other birds that are now far more common than in 2005 include buzzards and the greater spotted woodpecker, which now has an established breeding population.

Ms Davis said La Societe was now hoping to put out a report every year to get a more accurate picture of change within the ornithological world.

2024’s report will be the first to utilise new technology that will make it easier for anyone to contribute.

‘We would encourage everyone to record sightings. Apps like iRecord make it very easy as you just need a phone,’ she said.

‘It is not just the rare but the everyday species that we need to record.

‘Birdwatching is a wonderful hobby and you will find the local birding community friendly and happy to help.’