CONSERVATIONISTS have warned that 20 species of birds in the North West are seriously dwindling in numbers and say that some have almost halved.

Eight groups, including the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and the National Trust, have joined forces to review bird-life in the United Kingdom and have produced a report stating that 36 species nationwide are giving cause for concern.

Among these are rapidly declining farm birds including the tree sparrow - down 89 per cent during the past 25 years, grey partridge ( down 82 per cent), turtle dove (77 per cent), spotted flycatcher and song thrush (both down 73 per cent), skylark (down 58 per cent) and linnet (52 per cent). The organisations blame the decline in numbers on changing farming practices like the move from spring-sown to winter-sown cereals, the loss of hedgerows and the use of pesticides.

To deal with the problem, groups are planning habitat recovery programmes and are working to bring about changes in government policy.

Dr Mark Avery, chairman of Birds of Conservation Concern Working Group, said: "The fate of bird species acts as a barometer of environmental health.

"There are now more than twice as many species which are rapidly declining than there were ten years ago.

"Things are getting worse rather than better."

Ron Freethy, the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's nature correspondent, said: "Lancashire is quite a good region for birdlife, as we have a wide range of habitats - hills, rivers coasts and towns. We have a little bit of everything. And we are sheep country and so we use less pesticides.

"But the bird situation is quite worrying, especially skylarks. In my column I am asking people to form records of the skylarks they see."

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