The Citizen e-edition

New threat nothing to tweet about

London – Almost 30% of the UK’s bird species, including greenfinches and swifts, are facing serious threat to survival due to factors including climate change, a report published this week warned.

The “red” list of 70 birds considered most endangered was put together by a coalition of organisations the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), based on the observations of volunteers.

The last such report was published in 2015.

RSPB chief executive Beccy Speight said the report “is more evidence that the UK’s wildlife is in freefall”, and warned: “This really is the last chance to halt and reverse the destruction of nature.”

The number of bird species whose populations are in severe decline has almost doubled since the list was first compiled 25 years ago and has grown by three species since the last report.

The red list already contained once common birds such as house sparrows and starlings and contains 11 new species this time, including greenfinches, swifts and housemartins.

The criteria for inclusion include population decline and a reduction in the geographic area where the birds breed.

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https://thecitizen.pressreader.com/article/281530819307352

The Citizen