Climate change has led to a rise in some Scottish fowl populations and a lower in others, based on a report.
NatureScot discovered hotter and wetter climate is creating important modifications to the numbers and species of birds thriving in city, woodland, upland and farmland habitats.
Its report, The Terrestrial Breeding Birds Indicator 1994-2022, discovered woodland birds have seen the biggest rise, with farmland and concrete birds displaying a slight improve.
Researchers stated this demonstrates modifications in summer time climate are attracting extra terrestrial birds which might not usually enterprise north.
The report discovered 18 of 23 species within the Scottish woodland indicator have elevated within the final 30 years.
Populations of chiffchaff, blackcap and nice noticed woodpeckers rose probably the most, all up by greater than 500%.
Bullfinch, nice tit, wren, tree pipit, willow warbler and track thrush populations elevated by greater than 50%.
The largest long-term rises in farmland birds have been in goldfinch populations, which noticed a 358% improve, whitethroat (128%), nice tit (120%) and magpie (104%).
Long-term decreases in farmland fowl populations embrace declines of greater than 50% for kestrel, greenfinch and lapwing, and a 25-50% fall for oystercatchers, rook, pied wagtail and skylarks.
Scottish upland birds are faring the worst, with 12 species within the class having decreased in inhabitants since 1994.
Black grouse, curlew and dotterel populations have declined by greater than 50% because of local weather change, forest enlargement and modifications in land administration practices corresponding to grazing and predator management.
Simon Foster, NatureScot tendencies and indicators analyst, stated: “Climate is one of the key drivers of change for Scotland’s breeding birds, and this new report on the populations of our upland, woodland, farmland and urban species is evidence of the effect our changing climate is having on our biodiversity.
“These changes tend to favour common, generalist species such as goldfinch and magpies, which can mask real and significant changes in rarer or more specialist species.
“The report shows how our weather today will affect bird populations in future years.
“With extreme weather such as flooding and heat becoming more prevalent, we must ensure that improving Scotland’s nature and habitats uses the latest science to help deliver the best results.
“There are many inspiring initiatives in Scotland working to improve the fortunes of terrestrial breeding birds, including the Working for Waders project, which is achieving targeted action for upland bird populations.
“The introduction of greater woodland diversity; increased activity from farmers helping to create rich habitats for our farmland bird populations; and peatland restoration schemes providing an all year round water source, even during sustained periods of drought, increase invertebrates across the restored moor, an important food resource for chicks and adult birds.
“Such vital actions are the foundations of how we mitigate the effects of climate change on Scotland’s biodiversity for generations to come, and therefore must be intensified if we are to reverse and restore these declines.”
