Wimbeldon Park birds - Friends of Wimbledon Park · 1985-86 1988-89 1991-92 1994-95 1997-98 2000-01 2003-04 2006-07 2009-10 Wimbledon Park Standard Walk count for years beginning

Long term trends in the birds of Wimbledon Park

• Dave Dawson has made a monthly count since 1986

• This gives a unique description of long term trends in species’ populations

• On each slide, the trend is graphed top left

• At bottom left is the monthly average count, showing how the numbers change with the seasons

• There’s a summary of these findings beneath each chart

Black-headed gull

020406080

100120

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10

Wimbledon Park Standard Walk count for years beginning in August

Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Black-headed gull

0.0

20.0

40.0

60.0

80.0

100.0

120.0

140.0

160.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec

Wimbledon Park standard w alk , average count in each month

Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Non-breeding visitorA decline of about 50%

© Dr D.G. Dawson 2013

Blackbird

0

10

20

3040

50

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for A

ug to

Ju

ly y

ears

Blackbird

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Wimbledon Park standard w alk, average count in each month

Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

ResidentA decline of about 80%


Blackcap

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for A

ug to

Ju

ly y

ears

Blackcap

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Summer migrantAn increase of about 90%


Blue tit

0

5

10

15

20

25

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for A

ug to

Ju

ly y

ears

Blue tit

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec

Wimbledon Park standard walk, average count in each month

Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.An increase and thena decreaseNet changeabout 20%


Canada goose

0

20

40

60

80

100

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

London residentNo overall change

Canada goose

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009


Carrion crow

0

5

10

15

20

25

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10

Wimbledon Park Standard Walk count

Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Resident.An increase and thena decrease.Net lossabout 25%.

Carrion crow

0

5

10

15

20

25

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009


Chaffinch

02468

1012141618

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Chaffinch

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident. An increase to stability. Net increase about 500% © Dr D.G. Dawson 2013

Chiffchaff

0.00.10.20.30.40.50.60.70.8

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Chiffchaff

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Summer migrant.An increase and thena decrease. Net gainabout 200%.


Common gull

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.0

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Common gull

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Winter visitor.A decrease to stability.Net loss about 40%.


Coot

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Coot

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.An increase of about 80%


Cormorant

01234567

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Cormorant

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Winter visitor.No overall change.


Dunnock

012345678

1985

-86

1987

-88

1989

-90

1991

-92

1993

-94

1995

-96

1997

-98

1999

-00

2001

-02

2003

-04

2005

-06

2007

-08

2009

-10

2011

-12


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for A

ug to

Ju

ly y

ears

Dunnock

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Jan

Feb

Mar Ap

r

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.Decrease by 65%.


Egyptian Goose

02468

101214

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Egyptian Goose

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

Jan

Feb

Mar Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

London resident.Arrived in 2003.Then stable.


Feral pigeon

0102030405060708090

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Feral pigeon

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

London resident.Increased, then decreased.Little overall change.


Goldcrest

0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.4

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Goldcrest

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Mainly autumn visitor.No significant change.


Goldfinch

0.00.5

1.01.5

2.0

2.53.0

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Goldfinch

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.Increase by about 200%.


Great crested grebe

02468

101214

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Great crested grebe

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Jan

Feb Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.Increase, then decrease.Little overall change.


Great spotted woodpecker

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for A

ug to

Ju

ly y

ears

Great spotted woodpecker

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Jan

Feb

Mar Ap

r

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.Increase, then decrease.150% increase overall.


Great tit

02468

101214

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Great tit

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Jan

Feb

Mar Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.Increase, to stability.Overall 150% increase.


Green woodpecker

0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.6

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Green woodpecker

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Wimbledon Park standard w alk, average count in e ach month

Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.Increase, then decrease.Overall little change.


Greenfinch

02468

10121416

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Greenfinch

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Wimbledon Park standard walk, average count in each m onth

Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.Recent decrease.By about 50%.Believed to be because of disease


Grey heron

0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.41.61.8

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Grey heron

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug Se

p

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 London resident visitor.

Overall decrease.By about 50%.


Greylag

0

5

10

15

20

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Greylag

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Native species but London resident

population feral.Arrived 2000 and still increasing.


House martin

05

101520253035

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

House martin

0

5

10

15

20

25

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Summer visitor to breed.

Decline by about 90%.Now almost extinct in south-west London.


House sparrow

01020304050607080

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

House sparrow

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug Sep Oct

Nov

Dec

Wim bledon Par k standard walk, average count in each month

Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

Resident.Decrease by about 99%Possible small recent recovery.


Jay

0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.5

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Jay

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Resident, seen most in autumn.

Decline by about 55%.


Kestrel

0.000.050.100.150.200.250.300.35

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Kestrel

0.00

0.02

0.04

0.06

0.08

0.10

0.12

0.14

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Uncommon resident.

Declined to zero in the early 00s


Lesser black-backed gull

0.00.20.40.60.81.01.21.4

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Lesser black-backed gull

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-


Declined by about 65%


Long-tailed tit

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Long-tailed tit

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-


Increased about twofold


Magpie

0123456789

1985

-86

1987

-88

1989

-90

1991

-92

1993

-94

1995

-96

1997

-98

1999

-00

2001

-02

2003

-04

2005

-06

2007

-08

2009

-10

2011

-12


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Magpie

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

9.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Resident.

Increased about twofold


Mallard

0

1020

30

40

50

60

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Mallard

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 London resident.

Decreased about 60%


Mistle thrush

0.00.5

1.0

1.5

2.02.5

3.0

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Mistle thrush

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Wim bledon Park standard walk, average count in each month

Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Resident.

Decreased about 40%


Moorhen

0123456789

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Moorhen

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Resident.

Increased, then decreasedOverall change about 70%


Mute swan

0

12

3

45

6

1985

-86

1987

-88

1989

-90

1991

-92

1993

-94

1995

-96

1997

-98

1999

-00

2001

-02

2003

-04

2005

-06

2007

-08

2009

-10

2011

-12


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for A

ug to

Ju

ly y

ears

Mute swan

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug Sep Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Resident pair.

Changes reflect breeding success.Recent decline because of the Golf Course fence.


Pied wagtail

0.00.51.01.52.02.53.03.54.0

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for A

ug to

Ju

ly y

ears

Pied wagtail

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009

London resident visitor.Seen most in autumn.Increase and then a decrease.


Redwing

0.01.02.03.04.05.06.07.0

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Redwing

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

4.5

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Uncommon winter visitor.

No overall trend.


Ring-necked parakeet

02468

10121416

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Ring-necked parakeet

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Began to breed in 2004.

Still increasing.No evidence of adverse effects on native birds, but they do eat soft fruit


Robin

0

5

10

15

20

25

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Robin

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Common resident.

Increased by about 50%.


Ruddy duck

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Ruddy duck

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Wim bledon Park standard walk, average count in each m onth

Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Increased in the early 00s.

Peak numbers in spring to breed.National cull means none seen in the last three years.


Shoveller

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Shoveller

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Winter visitor.

Declined by 85%.


Song thrush

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Song thrush

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Resident.

Declined by 85%.


Starling

0

20

40

60

80

100

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Starling

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Resident.

Declined by 90%.


Swift

0

5

10

15

20

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Swift

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 London resident.

Comes to feed on insects over the lake.Increased about twofold


Tufted duck

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Tufted duck

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Resident.

Increased to a plateau.Overall change about sevenfold.


Woodpigeon

0102030405060708090

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Woodpigeon

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec


Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Resident.

Increased then decreased.Little overall change.


Wren

0

5

10

15

20

1985

-86

1988

-89

1991

-92

1994

-95

1997

-98

2000

-01

2003

-04

2006

-07

2009

-10


Mea

n m

onth

ly c

ount

for

Aug

to

July

yea

rs

Wren

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

18

20

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May Ju

n

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Wim bledon Park standard walk, average count in each m onth

Ave

rage

cou

nt 1

985-

2009 Common resident.

Increased then decreased.Little overall change.


The route of about 2.8 km was walked once a month in the morning, on average starting 08:35 ending 10:35.

The small print

• The birds were counted in a standard walk, usually once a month, beginning in August 1985 and continuing today. The data for a few missed months were “imputed” statistically.

• The Standard Walk is a method for monitoring changes in common bird populations over time. It involves recording the numbers of all species encountered on a fixed route while walking.

• The standardisation ensures that counts are comparable across years, so that trends may be investigated.• There is a strong seasonal pattern in the counts of most species shown in the blue bar charts. For some

conspicuous species this reflects closely the actual pattern of numbers in the park. Examples of this are the Black-headed Gull and Mallard. For others it more reflects seasonal changes in detectability. Examples of this are the Dunnock and Wren for which counts increase at a time that breeding or immigration are unlikely, implying a change in detectability. For by far the majority of species the counts were clearly influenced by detectability, making it difficult to determine the seasonal changes in actual numbers.

• Long-term trends in numbers are indicated by the graphs of average count for each species. These assume that detectabilty has not differed between years. We expect that errors from this source would be small in comparison to the trend over time, especially as there were counts from all months each year.

• Each species has a summary sentence describing its status at Wimbledon Park and the long-term trend in numbers. Trends were examined by fitting quadratic regression equations to log transformed counts and testing for statistical significance.

• For more details of the methods employed to count the birds and analyse the results, see the report on Wimbledon Common using the same methods (Dawson, D.G. “Wimbledon Common Bird Monitoring, changes in the numbers of common birds over the last fourteen years“ 2009).

• Many of the trends at Wimbledon Park are similar to those documented by the national monitoring scheme, the “Breeding Bird Survey”, which began in 1994, but we have an extra ten years’ information from the Park and have documented many more species than the national scheme has in London.

• As the study continues, and it is planned to publish the results elsewhere, this presentation should be considered to be a summary of work in progress, not a final considered product.


Documents

Wimbeldon Park birds - Friends of Wimbledon Park · 1985-86 1988-89 1991-92 1994-95 1997-98 2000-01 2003-04 2006-07 2009-10 Wimbledon Park Standard Walk count for years beginning