An interesting overview of some new research out of Durham University (woo! 😁) that attempts to predict the realistic ranges of various British bird species. Unsurprisingly, the findings are that most bird species would have larger ranges with healthier populations if human activity was removed from the ecosystem; notably, endangered species like Capercaillie and Golden eagle should have much wider ranges throughout most of Scotland, Wales, and northern England. On the other hand, quite a few species have much larger ranges than they would naturally, mainly those that benefit from agricultural practices and open grassland (though even here, numbers are declining below expected rates in many species).
Also interesting to see which species they predict would have colonised Britain that are currently absent, particularly the previously resident Kentish plover, which I'd never heard of (but, apparently, should be common across the South and South East of Britain). Overall, a bleak picture, but one which should hopefully help guide more realistic conservation policies moving forward 🤞
