Lindström, Å. & Green, M. 2013. Monitoring population changes of birds in Sweden. Annual report
for 2012, Department of Biology, Lund University. 80 pp.
We present the results of the Swedish Bird Survey, run by the Department of Biology, Lund University,
as a part of the National Monitoring Programme of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The
results for 2012 include data from 625 winter point count routes in 2011/2012 (37
th winter), of which
306 were carried out during the Christmas/New Year count and 263 summer point count routes (38
th
year). A third programme is running since 1996 with 716 Fixed routes, systematically (semi-randomly)
distributed over Sweden (combined line transect and point counts). In total 481 Fixed routes were
completed in the summer of 2012 (fourth best year). In the programme for covering night-active birds
(3
rd season), 112 routes were covered at three occasions each (March, April and June). Trends were
analyzed using TRIM. The distribution of the covered routes is presented in Figure 1.
In the Christmas/New Year count 2011/2012, about 180,000 individuals of 134 species were
counted by 247 observers, which was an increase compared to previous winters. Moderate to strong
increases in winter populations over the last decade are present in 12 species. Declines over the same
period are prominent in 32 species (Fig. 12).
On the point count routes in summer 2012, about 96,000 birds of 205 species were counted by
164 observers. From the Fixed routes 138,000 birds of 217 species were reported by 247 persons. Trend
graphs for a large number of species are presented in Fig. 12. More graphs and indices can be found on
the homepage (address below). Over the last 10 years, some of the most pronounced declines are found
in Common Eider, Willow Ptarmigan, Rock Ptarmigan, Common Pheasant, Common Coot, Spotted
Redshank, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Swift, House Martin, Sand Martin, Siberian Tit,
Fieldfare, Redwing, Goldcrest, Meadow Pipit, European Greenfinch, Common Redpoll, Common
Rosefinch, Lapland Longspur, Yellowhammer, Ortolan and Rustic Bunting. Some of the strongest
increases during the same period are shown by Greylag Goose, Whooper Swan, Red Kite, White-tailed
eagle, Western Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Mistle Thrush,
Common Redstart, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff (both Swedish ssp.), European Goldfinch
and crossbills.
The night routes showed high owl activity in the south but a dramatic low in the north, compared
to 2011. A few trends from the first three year are presented (Fig. 3). High numbers of Spotted Crake,
Corncrake, European Nightjar and River Warbler were recorded during the night routes in 2012. The
numbers of larger mammals counted were in most cases similar to the years before.
Bird indicators were calculated for Sweden based on summer point counts and the species
selection and methods of the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme. Farmland birds
(“Vanliga jordbruksfåglar”, 14 species) show a more than 50% decline since 1975. Woodland birds
(“Vanliga skogsfåglar”, 21 species) have declined with about 30%, whereas a group of other common
birds (“Övriga vanliga fåglar”, 45 species) have declined with about 10%. We also present the
corresponding indicators based on the new system with Fixed routes (indices since 1998). In the recent
5–10 years, the indicators based on the two schemes have become more and more similar within each
habitat. Another set of indicators, official indicators of biodiversity within the national Environmental
Objectives set by the Swedish Parliament based on data from the Fixed routes, are presented as well
(Fig. 6). Five indicators (lakes and streams, forest, mountain birch forest, northern wetlands and ‘a rich
diversity of plant and animal life’) showed small positive changes between 2011 and 2012. The
indicators for birds in southern wetlands, farmland and mountain tundra showed lower values 2012
compared to 2011. A new indicator for reduced climate impact is presented in this report.
Homepage:
www.zoo.ekol.lu.se/birdmonitoring