Starlings disappearing from Scotland and UK

Scotland’s starling and rook populations have fallen dramatically over the past two decades, according to a new report. Surveys show numbers of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) north of the border were down by 28 per cent in 2017 compared to 1995, with a further 12 per cent loss in the past year. This is part of a worrying UK-wide decline of 52 per cent since 1995. Rook (Corvus frugilegus) numbers in Scotland have fallen by 37 per cent over the same period. Other bird species that continue to cause concern include the greenfinch (Chloris chloris), which has declined by massive 66 per cent over the 22-year period, and the curlew (Numenius arquata), with a drop of 61 per cent. Swifts (Apus apus) have also experienced a major fall in numbers, with a 28 per cent decline in the past year and an overall loss of 59 per cent since 1995.

Source: The Scotsman, 3 May 2019
https://www.scotsman.com/news/environment/starlings-disappearing-from-s…