Pressure on Europe's bird species
More than 200 of Europe's bird species - including 70 in the UK - face an uncertain future, a study has warned. Northern lapwing, corn bunting and house sparrows are among the species at risk, Birdlife International said. It found 226 species - 43% of Europe's total - were threatened by intensive agriculture and changes in climate.
At the risk of sounding like an old fogey, it's true: there are far fewer lapwings and house sparrows around than when I were a lad. We can usually bank on a couple of lapwings nesting in the field behind our house, but I've never seen any chicks fledge. With cows, crows and tractors to contend with, I'm amazed that any young lapwings make it to adulthood round here.