§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent studies have been carried out into the number of(a) rabbits, (b) hares, (c) foxes, (d) grey crows, (e) magpies, (f) otters, (g) feral mink and (h) jays in England; and what trends have been detected in the population levels of each species. [73042]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Department is aware of a number of studies of the populations of mammals and birds in England. The most recent comprehensive estimates of rabbit, hare, fox, otter and mink populations were published by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee inA Review of British Mammals: population estimates and conservation status of British Mammals other than cetaceans (1995).
Estimates indicate that rabbit populations are increasing at around 1–2 per cent. each year. Brown hare populations are probably in continuing decline. Mountain hare populations are thought to be stable but, as expected, very localised. Fox populations appear to be stable in rural areas and increasing in urban areas. The otter is benefiting from reintroductions to the wild and is continuing to spread and increase. American mink numbers may be declining in some areas as a result of the spread of otters.
The British Trust for Ornithology conducts surveys of bird numbers in Britain. A 1988–91 survey estimated 590,000 magpie territories and 160,000 jay territories in Britain. Magpie numbers are estimated to have increased by a mean rate of 4–5 per cent. a year between 1966 and 1986 and to have stabilised thereafter. Jay populations have tended to increase on farmland and to decrease in woodland since the survey and overall, the population remained relatively stable or increased slightly up to 1995.
Grey or hooded crows are not regular breeders in England, although the picture is complicated by the existence of hybrids with the carrion crow.