This section summarises the key findings of the report, under six headings, based on the results presented and discussed in the Summary tables and Discussion sections. It concentrates on the alerts raised by this edition of the report and changes to alerts since previous reports in this series.
Amber and red listings for breeding trends use similar criteria to the BirdTrends alerts and were reviewed in 2015. This report, using five further year's data not available to BoCC4, suggest potential updates to current conservation concern for Snipe, Redshank, House Martin, Meadow Pipit and Willow Warbler (from amber to red; though note that the trend for Snipe is based on a small sample), Sparrowhawk and Sedge Warbler (from green to amber) and Greenfinch (straight from green to red). However, it should be noted that Sedge Warbler has shown frequent fluctuations in trends over the long-term. In addition, although a long-term CBC/BBS trend is not available for Swift, the 23-year BBS trend suggests a potential update to the current conservation concern level for this species (from amber to red). This report also suggests that the listing for Oystercatcher could potentially be changed from green to amber for declines, although this would not change it's overall status as it is currently already amber listed based on other criteria.
Conversely this report also suggests potential downgrading of the alert status as a result of improved recent trends (and provided no changes in the other amber or red listing criteria have occurred), from red to amber for Song Thrush and Grey Wagtail, and from amber to green for Kestrel and Reed Bunting. These potential changes in status are also dependent on the recent upturns being sustained until the next listing review, and it should be noted in particular that Kestrel, Grey Wagtail and Reed Bunting have shown fluctuating long-term trends.
This report should be cited as: Woodward, I.D., Massimino, D., Hammond, M.J., Barber, L., Barimore, C., Harris, S.J., Leech, D.I., Noble, D.G., Walker, R.H., Baillie, S.R. & Robinson, R.A. (2020) BirdTrends 2020: trends in numbers, breeding success and survival for UK breeding birds. BTO Research Report 732. BTO, Thetford. www.bto.org/birdtrends
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