Forty Year Study of Bird Species at Wicken Fen Britain's Leading Nature Reserve

A detailed study of the bird population at the National Trust's Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve has been undertaken by the Wicken Fen Bird Ringing Group, who celebrate their 40th anniversary this year.

In the 40 years, over 82,000 birds have been rung giving a valuable insight into the fortunes of the various bird species found at Wicken Fen. Figures reveal notable increases in the population of Sparrow Hawk, Collared Dove, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.

Unfortunately the study reveals a dramatic decline in a number of species particularly the tree sparrow, with 170 ringed in 1973 and only 1 in 2007. Other species to suffer a notable decline in numbers are the Dunnock, Song Thrush, Grasshopper Warbler, Spotted Flycatcher, Willow Tit, Linnet, Lesser Redpoll and Bullfinch. The decline of these birds at Wicken Fen relects their reduction in populations across Britain in the past few decades.

Commenting of the results of the 40 year survey, Dr Stuart Warrington, National Trust Conservation Advisor said …. "this long-running study of birds at Wicken Fen has made a huge contribution to bird conservation. It has helped us to better understand bird populations both at Wicken Fen and in the wider countryside."

Ringing is undertaken at three sites around Wicken Fen using fine mesh nets which are designed to "pocket" the birds gently without injury. The birds have a small lightweight ring put around one leg, which has a unique identification number. When the bird is caught again, either at Wicken or elsewhere, you can learn about the bird's age, condition and dispersal.

Of the 82,000 birds ringed at Wicken Fen, 429 have been recorded away from the Fen, 64 of which were overseas, with the furthest being a Swallow in South Africa, 9664 km from Wicken Fen. Other distant recoveries include a Starling in Russia, a Marsh Harrier in Mauretania and a Turtle Dove in Mali. The oldest birds handled include a Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler and a Blackbird all over 9 nine years since they were first ringed. The rarest bird's rings have been a Great Warbler in 1971 and a Barred Warbler in 1979, the only occasions these species have ever been recorded at Wicken Fen.

In its 40th year the Wicken Fen Bird Ringing Group reached a further milestone ringing its 100th bird species, young herons on the Wicken Mere. The total number of bird species ever recorded at Wicken Fen is currently 235, with on average two or three new species being added each year.

In 1999 the National Trust launched the Wicken Fen Vision, an ambitious plan to create a landscape nature reserve covering around 22 sq miles between Cambridge and Wicken. This will enable the National Trust to create a mosaic of habitats from wet grasslands, reedbed, shallow ponds and ditches to dry grassland and woodland, to help protect and conserve our threatened species, including birds.

Speaking on the vital importance of the Wicken Fen Vision to the survival of many of the declining species Dr Warrington said …. "it has been very encouraging to see threatened birds such as Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier and Barn Owls foraging over the restored Vision land. The wet meadows are proving to be especially valuable for flocks of Lapwings, Gadwell, Shoveler, Golden Plover and Linnet."

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Further information: Contact: Howard Cooper, Communications Officer, National Trust Wicken Fen Tel 01353 720274 Mobile 07826 874133 or e-mail howard.cooper@nationaltrust.org.uk

Notes to Editors

1. The Wicken Fen National Nature Reserve, Cambridgeshire was acquired by the National Trust in 1899, today the reserve has 4 major designations

2 Details on Wicken Fen and the Wicken Fen Vision can be found at www.wicken.org.uk

3 The table below shows a comparison of individual bird species rung at Wicken Fen in 1973 and 2007