Rare birds taking flight as the world warms up

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

In the past 25 years, the number of redwings, fieldfares and Slavonian grebes visiting northern England and Scotland have plummeted as temperatures rise.

But a succession of warmer summers and milder winters have boosted Continental ‘invaders’ such as the little egret and Cetti’s warbler.

Slavonian grebe: Its numbers have plummeted as temperatures have risen

Experts who studied the changing populations of 42 rare nesting birds between 1980 and 2004 said climate change is already having a noticeable effect.

Dr Richard Gregory, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said: ‘Our paper shows wildlife has been affected by climate change - some nature reserves in southern Britain now have an almost “Mediterranean” feel to them.

‘This discovery has profound consequences for some of our most threatened and declining wildlife.’

The study was carried out by researchers at Durham and Cambridge universities and the RSPB and published in the Royal Society journal Biology Letters.

One victim is the redwing - a type of Scandinavian thrush which was once a widespread winter visitor. It started nesting in 1925 - reaching a peak of up to 80 pairs in the 1980s. Today, there are just a few pairs left in Scotland and the North of England.