Conservation of Farmland Birds: Spring library display

“I have a room all to myself; it is nature.”

Thoreau Henry David

Did you know that many of our bird species are in trouble? According to the RSPB we have lost 38 million birds from UK skies in the last 50 years. A 2021 review of “Birds of Conservation Concern” reported that The Red list of Britain’s most endangered birds stood at 70 species, almost twice the number recorded in 1996 (https://www.bto.org/our-science/publications/birds-conservation-concern . This means one in four of the country’s regularly occurring breeding or wintering birds are in serious trouble.

Globally over 1,480 bird species are considered globally threatened due to small and declining populations or ranges. Of these, 223 are critically endangered and face an extremely high risk of extinction in the immediate future. (Birdlife Data Zone).

These statistics are deeply concerning. Birds play an important role in the ecosystem and their absence would have an impact not only on the populations of other living creatures, but also humans.

How do birds help us?

Birds control pests, including agricultural pests
They help clean up waste, and spread seeds across diverse ecosystems
Birds pollinate around 5% of the plants used by humans for food or medicine
They help to keep ecosystems in balance.
Birds also co-exist closely with humans, inspiring art, poetry, music, flight, fashion and science.

The Big Farmland Bird Count (BFBC), an annual event organised by the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, encourages farmers and land managers to record the bird species on their farm; and aims to raise awareness of the important role that farmers play in the conservation of farmland birds. Since its launch in 2014, the past decade has seen nearly 13,000 bird counts on farms and crofts across the UK.

The new library display (near the library entrance) celebrates our deep connection to birds by showcasing some of the relevant resources available via the library. By all means come and browse.

It is worth noting that our current displays are supporting the Go Green initiatives which are taking place from 15th April-20th April.