{"id":4319,"date":"2026-07-22T10:03:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T10:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/buddingnews\/?p=4319"},"modified":"2026-07-22T10:11:35","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T10:11:35","slug":"birdlife-thrives-across-university-of-exeter-campuses-in-2026-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/buddingnews\/2026\/07\/22\/birdlife-thrives-across-university-of-exeter-campuses-in-2026-survey\/","title":{"rendered":"Birdlife Thrives Across University of Exeter Campuses in 2026 Survey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The latest Breeding Bird Survey has revealed encouraging signs for bird populations across the University of Exeter’s Streatham and St Luke’s campuses, with overall numbers continuing to rise despite ongoing challenges for some threatened species. The Spring\/Summer 2026 survey recorded thousands of birds across both campuses, highlighting the importance of university green spaces as valuable wildlife habitats. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Record Numbers at Streatham Campus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Streatham Campus recorded 1,735 birds<\/strong> during the 2026 breeding season survey, representing a 2% increase<\/strong> on the 1,701 birds recorded in 2025. This marks the highest total since 2010 and continues a strong upward trend seen over recent years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers recorded 861 birds during the early spring visit<\/strong> and 872 during the later survey period<\/strong>, showing consistent bird activity across the breeding season. Species diversity also remained healthy, with up to 28 different species recorded in some survey sections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wood Pigeon Remains King of the Campus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For another year, the Wood Pigeon<\/strong> retained its position as the most frequently recorded species across Streatham Campus. The survey’s top five species were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Wood Pigeon<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Blackbird<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Robin<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Rook<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Wren<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    While Wood Pigeons held onto the top spot, Blackbirds climbed into second place, displacing Robins from their long-held position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    East Campus Continues to Lead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The eastern section of Streatham Campus remained the most populated area for birds, accounting for approximately 42% of all birds recorded<\/strong>. The Lower Hoopern Valley (HV)<\/strong> emerged as the single most populated sub-section, containing 19% of all birds observed<\/strong>, demonstrating the value of mature woodland and natural habitats on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Conservation Species Increase<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    One of the most significant findings was the increase in Red and Amber-listed species<\/strong>\u2014birds identified as conservation priorities under the UK’s Birds of Conservation Concern framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Surveyors recorded 836 Red and Amber-listed birds<\/strong> in 2026, up from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • 807 in 2025<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 749 in 2024<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • 662 in 2023<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Wood Pigeons and Wrens accounted for 57% of all conservation-listed birds recorded during the survey period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Notable conservation species included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Herring Gull<\/strong> (85 records)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Rook<\/strong> (141 records)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • House Sparrow<\/strong> (18 records)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Greenfinch<\/strong> (11 records)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Bullfinch<\/strong> (6 records)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        The return of Herring Gull numbers to near-average levels after a decline in 2025 was particularly encouraging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        First-Ever Breeding Season Firecrest Records<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Perhaps the most exciting discovery of the survey was the recording of six Firecrests<\/strong> on Streatham Campus during the breeding season\u2014the first time this species has been documented there during spring and summer. Surveyors believe these birds may have been breeding locally due to the suitability of the surrounding habitat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The Firecrest is one of Britain’s smallest birds and has been expanding its breeding range across southern England in recent decades.<\/p>\n\n\n

        \n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

        Mixed Fortunes for Rare Species<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        While some species performed well, others continue to struggle. Greenfinch numbers fell significantly, with only 11 sightings recorded<\/strong>, down from 21 in 2025. No breeding-season records were made for species such as Swift, Redstart, Sedge Warbler, Starling on Streatham Campus, or Mistle Thrush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Bullfinch numbers also declined slightly, with six records compared to nine the previous year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Bullfinch Population Remains Small but Significant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        The survey also recorded six Bullfinch sightings<\/strong> across Streatham Campus during the 2026 breeding season. Although this is three fewer than the nine records reported in 2025, the presence of this attractive amber-listed species remains an important indicator of habitat quality on campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Bullfinches are known for their secretive behaviour and can be difficult to survey, often remaining hidden within dense scrub and woodland vegetation. Researchers estimate that the campus may support around two breeding pairs<\/strong> in 2026, slightly below the long-term average of three pairs recorded since monitoring began in 2008. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The species relies on mature woodland, hedgerows and scrub habitats, making the University’s green spaces particularly important for its continued survival. Despite lower numbers this year, conservationists remain encouraged that a breeding population continues to persist on campus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Key fact:<\/strong> Bullfinches have been recorded on the Streatham Campus for nearly two decades, with numbers fluctuating naturally from year to year. The six records in 2026 confirm the species remains an established, though relatively uncommon, breeding bird within the University’s grounds. <\/p>\n\n\n

        \n
        \"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

        <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Positive News from St Luke’s Campus<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        St Luke’s Campus also showed encouraging signs of recovery. A total of 263 birds<\/strong> were recorded during the 2026 survey, up slightly from 260 in 2025<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The most common species at St Luke’s were:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Wood Pigeon<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. House Sparrow<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Herring Gull<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Blackbird<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Starling<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          The continued presence of House Sparrows and Starlings\u2014both species of conservation concern nationally\u2014is a positive sign for urban biodiversity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Growing Importance of Campus Green Spaces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          The survey highlights the growing ecological importance of the University’s green spaces. Bird numbers at Streatham are now 35% higher than the all-time low recorded in 2017<\/strong>, demonstrating the value of habitat management and conservation efforts across the campus landscape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          With increasing populations, strong numbers of conservation-priority species and the first-ever breeding season Firecrest records, the 2026 survey paints an encouraging picture of wildlife on Exeter’s campuses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Key Takeaway:<\/strong> Bird populations across the University of Exeter remain healthy and continue to grow, with conservation species increasing and exciting new records suggesting that the campuses are becoming increasingly important refuges for wildlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          The latest Breeding Bird Survey has revealed encouraging signs for bird populations across the University of Exeter’s Streatham and St Luke’s campuses, with overall numbers […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3077,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4319","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBirdlife Thrives Across University of Exeter Campuses in 2026 Survey - Budding news<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/buddingnews\/2026\/07\/22\/birdlife-thrives-across-university-of-exeter-campuses-in-2026-survey\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Birdlife Thrives Across University of Exeter Campuses in 2026 Survey - 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