Rise in numbers of marshland and freshwater birds, fall in farmland birds

© ANP / Erald van der Aa
Breeding bird populations in the Netherlands were over 28 percent higher in 2023 than they were in 1990, on average. A total of 92 species out of 185 increased in number, 83 declined, and nine were stable. The population trend for one species was uncertain. The largest increases were seen in marshland and freshwater birds, such as great egret. The steepest decline was observed among farmland birds, such as black-tailed godwit. This is according to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and Sovon (the Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology).

A total of 200 species of birds breed in the Netherlands every year. The population trend for 185 native species is monitored by means of population counts coordinated by Sovon within the Ecological Monitoring Network (NEM).

New species breeding in the Netherlands

The population increase between 1990 and 2023 was mainly attributable to species that came to breed in our country for the first time, or which returned to breed here, such as white-tailed eagle, Eurasian eagle-owl, great and little egret, crane and Cetti’s warbler. Whether the population of a given species increases or decreases depends on changes in the quality of the habitat of that species, climate and weather, availability of food, success in breeding and mortality due to avian flu, among other factors. Avian flu was the main cause of a fall in the population of the Sandwich tern, for example, which fell by more than 40 percent in 2023 compared to 2022.

More marshland and freshwater birds, and also more woodland birds

In marshland and freshwater habitats, the populations of the 59 species that breed in these habitats increased by a factor of almost three between 1990 and 2023, on average. The species that saw the most significant increases were Cetti’s warbler, great egret and barnacle goose – all three relative newcomers as birds that breed in the Netherlands. Populations of penduline tit, hen harrier and great reed warbler declined the most.

The numbers of 27 species of woodland birds have also increased since 1990, by an average of 11 percent. Initially, woodland birds were declining in number, but since 2010 there has been an increase in their population. The populations of hawfinch, common firecrest and common raven increased the most, while the Eurasian sparrowhawk and wood warbler saw the largest declines.

Decline in bird numbers in dune and heathland areas

Among bird species that dwell in dune areas (19 species), there was an average population decline of nearly 40 percent between 1990 and 2023. Whinchat, red-backed shrike and lesser common redpoll have all but disappeared from the dunes. By contrast, the European nightjar, and particularly woodlark, have actually greatly increased in number. The decline in dune-dwelling birds occurred mainly before 2010 and was primarily due to the growth of grasses, shrubs, trees and bushes in areas of open dunes, which altered the fauna in these areas. There has been a recovery since 2010, and in the last twelve years more species have been increasing in population than decreasing.

The populations of the twelve bird species that breed in heathland areas also declined by nearly 40 percent on average, between 1990 and 2023. This decline was at its most rapid prior to 2010, after which there was a limited recovery. There were five species that were increasing in population, and also five that were in decline. Populations of the European nightjar and European stonechat have risen the most, while black grouse and tawny pipit have all but disappeared.

Sharp decline in farmland birds

Despite the application of agro-environmental schemes to help farmland birds, the population decline is the highest among this group at 45 percent. Of the 27 farmland species, 21 declined in number. These are mainly species that inhabit open farmland, such as black-tailed godwit, northern lapwing and Eurasian oystercatcher. Corn bunting and ruff were already rare in 1990, and have now virtually disappeared. The populations of species of farmland bird that live in and around farm buildings and in bushes are declining much less than average. While some species are on the decline, such as the European turtle dove and Eurasian tree sparrow, other species are increasing in number, such as the European goldfinch and European stonechat.

Fewer birds in urban areas as well

Bird populations in urban areas have also been on the decline since 2007. No species has been identified as unique to urban areas, and all 83 species of birds that dwell in towns and cities were classified according to their preferred habitat (parkland and woodland, open green space, water, and built-up areas). Water and marshland species in urban areas such as gadwall have increased in number. On average, bird species that inhabit open green spaces, and parkland, woodland and bushes, have declined in number. Of the eight species of birds that nest in or around buildings, only one is increasing in number: the peregrine falcon.