Motorists and wildlife
Over the past seven years a survey organised by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species has used information on both live and killed mammals across the South West, gleaned from motorists taking journeys of 20 miles or more. The results show that the three most common mammals sighted were rabbits (58%), hedgehogs (16%) and grey squirrels (4%). The numbers of foxes and badgers sighted were just over 3%.
Motorists will often be responsible for killing our wildlife, with about 1m mammals and 300,000 birds being killed on UK roads annually. Of course, the volume of “roadkills” spotted for each species is related to the numbers living in the wild, so it is important that these trends are also reported by motorists in an effort to monitor how our wildlife is faring.
According to one source, both barn owls and tawny owls lose over 30% of the species to the roads. Losses of other species are no less significant – the yellowhammer, whitethroat, kingfisher, wren, chaffinch, kestrel, blackbird, green woodpecker, blue tit and the willow warbler also lose considerable numbers in this way on an annual basis.
Annual surveys suggest that numbers of South West birds such as starlings, cuckoos and willow warblers have dropped by more than a half. It is also known that the numbers of kestrels and sparrowhawks in the region have decreased.
Fortunately, other species appear to be on the up and therefore more likely to be spotted from the secluded confines of your car. These include the great spotted woodpecker, which has increased in numbers by nearly 150% and the swallow, which has increased by 60%. Raven, Canada geese and mallard numbers also appear to be on the rise.
While many people come to visit or live in the South West to enjoy the mild climate and beautiful views, our wildlife, mammals and abundant birds, are a vital element of the region.
Motorists can play their part in their general conservation by watching out for them and taking care as they wind their way through the highways and lanes.
SOURCES:
GB Wildlife.co.uk
Lecture to the British Association for the Advancement of Science Within the John Mason Conference of the British Ecological Society on Monday 9 September 1997.