§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what evidence he has as to changes in the population of robins and other species of British birds; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanThe British Trust for Ornithology's common bird census report for 1991 revealed significant declines in the populations of 20 species, including robins, little owls, skylarks, blackbirds, songthrushes, house martins, bullfinches and yellowhammers. Five species including sparrowhawks and kestrels had increased in numbers. The BTO report indicated declines over a wide range of habitats.
For many species the declines are considered to be normal fluctuations and numbers could be expected to be regained quickly. The bad climatic conditions in the spring of 1991 was a factor and some migrant warbler species wintering in Africa were affected by drought conditions there.