Breeding Bird Survey 2025 report

7 views
Skip to first unread message

Mike Priaulx

unread,
Apr 22, 2026, 2:57:36 AM (5 days ago) Apr 22
to Digest recipients, Swifts & Planning Advice
Hi all,

The Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) 2025 report by BTO/ JNCC/ RSPB has recently been published.

Swifts decreased by 7% in the UK compared to 2024 according to the survey (page 19)(by -16% in Wales, and -7 & -9 in England & Scotland).

Although 2025 was I think considered a good year due to the June/ July weather, this was almost entirely missed by the early BBS survey dates which are April to June, as it's mostly aimed at and works well for singing birds with territories that are generally here by the start of May.

Breeding success shows up in the BBS survey a couple of years later.

The unsuitability of BBS methodology for swifts is clearly shown by the Isle of Man which states: "Swift was observed for the first time on a BBS visit since 2020"!!

Which obviously does not reflect the significant population there.

However, the same methodology each year means that, although there are sometimes major yearly fluctuations due to May/ June weather, the long-term decline is likely to be real.

Swifts are the species with the largest decline in Wales over both 29 years and 10 years (excerpt of the table on page 17 of the report, and full table on page 24). However, Wales is intriguing due to recent wild recorded fluctuations.

Swifts increased by 12% UK-wide in 2024 compared to 2023, according to the 2024 BBS survey (page 19). (Increase of 36% in Wales! And 14% & 6% in England & Scotland.)

So from 2023 to 2025 the BBS has recorded a small increase of a few % in the UK (and large increase of 20% in Wales).

Data over such a short time period could easily be weather related, but if you do want some positive data to hope that what we're doing is making a difference, then here it is!

All the best,
Mike

Member of SLN Swifts & Planning Group

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: BirdGuides <ne...@mail.birdguides.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 13, 2026 at 5:01 PM

Subject: Weekly News from BirdGuides 13/04/2026

Newsletter


13 April 2026

Bonaparte's Gull no longer a British rarity


Following an upturn in records, the BBRC has made the decision to downgrade the rarity status of the North American larid in Britain as of the start of 2026.

Breeding Bird Survey 2025: record coverage but alarming declines


The latest Breeding Bird Survey results show mixed fortunes for the UK's birds, with Collared Dove among the most notable losers.



Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages