Articles
Little Egret on campus
Birds flock to Exeter campuses
The number of birds coming to University of Exeter campuses has substantially risen compared to previous years according to a new independent breeding birds survey.
In March 2018, more than 1100 birds were counted across the Streatham and St Luke’s campuses, with particular focus on red or amber listed birds.
38% of the birds recorded are listed as red or amber by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), meaning they are the most endangered.
Red list birds such as Redwings and Mistle Thrushes were spotted across both campuses, as well as amber list birds such as Mallards and Bullfinches.
Peter Slader, who conducted the survey, wrote; “As in most years, the Wood pigeon was found to be the most numerous species recorded at St Luke’s campus.
“Interestingly enough, the Redwing, a red listed species, was the second most numerous.”
The survey has been conducted every year for the past ten years at the Streatham campus, with the survey being expanded to the St Luke’s campus five years ago.
Despite bird populations across the UK dropping, the Streatham campus is seeing a rise in numbers compared to previous years, with nearly 200 more birds being recorded this year compared to last year’s survey.
The Streatham campus is also seeing a resurgence in plant-life after the cold weather, with the magnolias around the Business School showing healthy growth.
Date: 25 April 2018