There are approximately 575 bird species that occur in the UK, some resident all year round and others migrating seasonally. Birds occupy a wide range of habitats from gardens and woodlands, to estuaries and mudflats. Although bird species diversity tends to increase where several habitats are in close proximity to one another, and where food and shelter is abundant, some bird species have been experiencing up to a 50% population decline over the last 25 years, which makes bird surveys crucial when considering development in their habitats.
It is due to the decline of bird populations that this species are protected under UK and European law such as:
- Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended)
- The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010; under this legislation all wild birds, their nests and their eggs are protected by law. The amount of protection afforded to wild birds varies depending on the species and schedule they fall under.
For example, barn owls are protected from:
- Killing, injuring or taking;
- Damaging, destroying, taking or disturbing any nest in use or being built; and
- Destroying or taking an egg.