Britain's robin red-breast in decline

Climate change is bringing Christmas blues for the robin a survey by a British bird trust has found.

The robin has had a poor breeding season in Britain, raising 15 per cent fewer chicks this summer than last year.

The finding, by the British Trust for Ornithology, is based on information from almost 90 sites throughout Britain.

The robin, which features on Britain's Christmas stamps this year and on countless Christmas cards, is one of several resident birds whose breeding numbers have dropped.

Researchers found that the number of chicks raised by dunnocks was down 23 per cent, blackbirds 33 per cent, longtailed tits 37 per cent and blue tits 37 per cent.

The trust, based in Thetford, Norfolk, said the dunnock and blackbird, in particular, were in long-term decline.

"Climate change may be causing some of the problems," it said.

"Many of our resident species are encouraged to nest early because of warmer springs, but then may suffer during cold snaps or periods of heavy rain."