Why climate matters to birds and wildlife

Pair of Scottish crossbills at nest

The effects of climate change on the birds and wildlife we know and love can already be seen. There are many ways in which they will be affected. Overall, the impact will be negative.

Here are just some of the effects of climate change on our birds and wildlife:

Flowers such as snowdrops are blooming earlier in the spring and oaks are leafing earlier.
Butterflies are appearing on the wing earlier.
Migrating birds may have to change their migration routes or the places where they breed or spend winter.
Wetland birds such as redshank will find their habitats threatened by climate change: saltmarshes will become inundated by the sea while moors and wet grasslands will dry up during hot summers.
Food shortages are causing young seabirds to starve to death resulting in dramatic population declines.
Birds found further south in Europe such as cattle egrets and hoopoes, could colonise southern England.
Birds may be forced to nest at different times in response to changing availability of the food they depend on to feed to their young.
We could lose species that currently live in our most mountainous and northerly habitats. For example, the Scottish crossbill, the UK’s only endemic species of bird, faces the risk of extinction.
Ground nesting birds will have their nests washed awy by increased flooding.
Saltwater inundation from tidal surges will damage fragile freshwater habits, killing fish and affecting the birds that depend on them.

Click on the links below to read real-life accounts from around the UK on how wildlife has already been affected by climate change.

Starving seabirds

Sandeels are disappearing due to warming of the sea and seabirds are not finding enough food to sustain themselves and their young. Find out what's happening to our seabirds and their young. More...

Increased flooding and rain from climate change can spell disaster for birds and wildlife. Find out how our nature reserves, such as the Ouse Washes and Strumpshaw Fen, are feeling the effects. More...

Birds on the move

Climate change won’t just bring new birds to our gardens, it could make some birds disappear altogether from our countryside. More...

Why climate matters for the world's wildlife

It appears very likely that the impact of climate change on some wildlife will be catastrophic, with little further change in the climate. Some species may increase in their abundance and range, but overall, the earth will lose biological diversity. More...