THE number of cuckoos and kestrels breeding in Yorkshire has fallen by about a half since 1994, says an annual survey.
And even the region’s starling population has dropped by a third in the last 14 years.
The findings come from the RSPB’s breeding bird survey for last year.
It also shows that numbers of swifts and meadow pipits in Yorkshire have fallen.
But other species appear to be on the up in Yorkshire, with great tit numbers rising by 200%, lapwings increasing by 102% and skylarks by 39%.
Jackdaw, goldfinch, carrion crow, wren and robin numbers also appear to be on the rise.
Dr Peter Robertson, the RSPB’s conservation manager for northern England, said: “It’s a mixed story for Yorkshire, but the increases in farmlands birds like lapwing and skylark are extremely welcome as across the UK these birds are declining markedly.’’
Dr Robertson added: “We have been working with farmers in the region to create spaces for birds and wildlife on farms, while still allowing profitable farming to continue.
“Our work is clearly making a difference for these birds, as Yorkshire is bucking the national trend.”
