Whinchat in East Tyrol: A fight for survival!

Whinchat in East Tyrol: A fight for survival!

In recent years, the decline of bird populations in Europe has been alarming. Meadow bird species such as the whinchat are particularly affected. The East Tyrolean meadow bird representative for the environmental protection department of the state of Tyrol has pointed out that the meadow bird population in Austria has fallen by almost 60%. In the case of whinchats, the decline is a shocking 80% reported. These stock changes are closely linked to agricultural intensification, which has been identified as the main reason for the worrying trend.

This year only 11 whinchat territories could be counted in East Tyrol, 5 of which were in St. Jakob and 6 in Matrei. The males first return from their African winter quarters and try to attract mates. In Matrei, however, two males remained without females, which many observers found particularly sad. High losses of females are due to the fact that mowing machines often destroy nests, which endangers the birds' reproduction.

Protecting whinchats

To help the endangered whinchats, various protective measures have been taken. A nest protection bonus was introduced to encourage farmers to leave grass areas along drainage ditches for longer. The author contacted a total of 24 managers in Matrei to inform them about the nest protection program. Fortunately, about half of the farmers agreed to only cut several meters of grass after the second cut.

After the mowing, conservationists observed that the birds in Matrei were behaving strangely and many breeding pairs lost their nests. However, there were also successes in St. Jakob: one couple gave birth to three fledgling chicks, while another couple lost their nest. Despite the adverse conditions, some birds attempted to breed again in the areas left standing.

Causes of the decline in inventory

However, the decline of whinchats is not just a local phenomenon. According to the Nature Conservation Association reported, causes such as the loss of flower-rich meadows and the decline of varied vegetation are significant. The loss of insects, which are an important source of food for the birds, is also contributing to the population decline. In addition, many birds are exposed to danger on their long journeys to their winter quarters.

A comprehensive study involving Austrian researchers shows that bird populations in Europe have fallen by around 25% since 1980. Field and meadow birds are particularly affected writes the study that cites intensive farming as one of the main reasons. The use of fertilizers and pesticides, urbanization and the loss of ancient mixed forests have severely affected bird habitats.

The future of the whinchat is therefore at great risk. Without uncultivated areas and targeted protective measures, it would hardly be possible to raise young birds. The author would like to thank the farmers who participate in the nest protection program, especially the Noner family, who leave their land uncultivated to give these vulnerable birds a chance.