A recent report by the Rare Breeding Birds Panel (RBBP) has revealed the first confirmed breeding of glossy ibis in the UK.
The elegant wading bird, once only found on Mediterranean coasts, is one of 108 species and races of rare birds recorded breeding or attempting to breed in the UK in 2022 – the second-highest count since the RBBP began tracking in 1973.
This trend points to an increase in rare breeding birds, largely fuelled by new colonisers.
The glossy ibis made history with its first confirmed breeding in the UK. A pair raised a chick at a Cambridgeshire wetland, marking a milestone for a species once restricted to the Mediterranean.
Other recent arrivals are also on the rise. Of the 14 colonists and reintroduced species to have established new populations in the UK since 1973, five – including the Mediterranean gull, white-tailed eagle, Eurasian spoonbill, little egret and great white egret – also reached record levels in 2022.
These newcomers are moving northward, with species such as black-winged stilts successfully breeding in both Norfolk and Yorkshire. Meanwhile, two pairs of bee-eaters raised four chicks at Trimingham, Norfolk, thrilling thousands of visitors with their vivid colours – it's the fourth UK breeding attempt by this species in a decade.
The report also highlights the ongoing recovery of historically depleted birds. Northern goshawks showed a 24% increase in reported pairs since the record-setting year of 2021, while marsh harriers and ospreys expanded to new areas, with the latter breeding in Dorset and Yorkshire for the first time in centuries.
Yet challenges persist, particularly with the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1. At least 90 adult roseate terns and numerous chicks died at Northumberland’s Coquet Island in 2022, and the virus also affected the breeding success of white-tailed eagles and golden eagles.
Some rare species face ongoing struggles despite conservation efforts. Slavonian grebes remain at historic lows, with just 20 pairs and poor breeding success in 2022, signalling a bleak outlook. Corncrakes have seen a 28% decline over the past decade, while Montagu’s harriers continue to struggle, with no breeding pairs recorded in the UK for the third consecutive year.
Dawn Balmer, BTO Head of Surveys and RBBP Chair says that birdwatchers play a critical role in our monitoring of rare breeding birds. "We thank the network of volunteer County Recorders and the support of Bird Clubs across the UK.
"We can all help improve the data that are collated by RBBP by submitting our records through BirdTrack, with counts and breeding evidence, which allows the County Recorders to provide county summary data to RBBP."
Main image: glossy ibis/Philip Croft, BTO
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