Songbirds have charmed people for hundreds of years, boosting our spirits and health. They also play a vital ecological role: dispersing seeds, promoting plant growth, controlling pests and supporting a healthy natural environment. As sensitive indicators of environmental change, they also act as nature’s early warning system, alerting us when something’s going wrong.
Our UK songbirds are facing unprecedented threats; over the last 50 years, populations have fallen by 50% and continue to decline. We live in an era of mass species extinction, driven by threats such as climate change, insect decline, pollution, predation and landscape changes. Once common species – such as the bullfinch and spotted flycatcher – have become rare sights and sounds.
SongBird Survival, a charity headquartered in Diss, Norfolk, funds scientific research into the reasons for this decline. It focuses on areas where scientific evidence is sparse, inadequate or lacking.
Research into the impact of vet medicines
In 2023 the charity funded a 2-year research study, working with Sussex University, looking at the effects of veterinary meds on nesting blue tits and great tits. Many species of birds use hair, wool and fur to line their nests as cushioning before laying their eggs. This lining can come from livestock, deer or sometimes from our domestic pets. The study examined the lining of nests for pesticides (such as fipronil, imidacloprid and permethrin) that are commonly found in anti-parasite treatments and tested if the presence of these pesticides had an impact on the offspring of nesting tits.
Research findings
The findings from this initial study paint a sad picture for our feathered friends:
- 103 nests were collected from blue tits and great tits and 100% of the nests were contaminated with fipronil (used in spot-on flea treatments for domestic pets).
- 89.1% of blue tit nests and 87.2% of great tit nests had detected levels of imidacloprid (also used in spot-on flea treatments).
- 89.1% of blue tit nests and 84.6% of great tit nests had detected levels of permethrin (typically used in anti-parasite treatments on beef/dairy cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, and poultry).
Follow up research
A second phase of this research project investigated whether the chemical exposure is influencing breeding success and survival in songbirds by measuring pesticide levels in the eggs and dead chicks of blue tits and great tits.
“This latest study is due to be published in early spring,” Susan Morgan, SongBird Survival Chief Executive Officer told East Anglia Bylines, “so we’re on the cusp of learning far more about the hidden impacts these chemicals could be having on our songbirds.”
Next steps
We are a nation of pet lovers, and many pet owners will be using the ‘spot-on’ flea treatments for cats and dogs. Farmers seek veterinary medical support to control flies, ticks, lice and mites on their livestock. Unfortunately the research findings add to growing evidence that veterinary medicines are potentially having a negative impact on songbird populations. This is why we need a greater environmental risk assessment of veterinary medicines.
SongBird Survival, along with other environmental organisations, is using the research findings to push for a more complete environmental risk assessment of veterinary meds by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate. The impact of pesticides on all wildlife and the environment needs greater understanding.
The charity will be launching a public campaign to help pet owners make informed choices, raising awareness of the environmental impacts of these products and encouraging people to have conversations with vets about the safest and most suitable options for their pets.
What can you do now?
To help prevent treatment pesticides compromising wildlife, SongBird Survival recommends:
- Talk to your vet about the most suitable options for your pet.
- If you do continue to use fipronil, imidacloprid and permethrin spot-on treatments, don’t brush your dogs or cats outside or put out hair for the birds to use in nest-making.
- Don’t allow pets to go into rivers and streams following the application of spot-on flea treatments, preferably for as long as possible.
- Make sure you dispose of the packaging properly in household waste.
SongBird Survival is the only national UK charity solely dedicated to changing the future for songbirds. Its vision is to create rich, resilient and balanced songbird populations. It makes an impact by driving conservation through scientific research, protecting songbirds by raising awareness and inspiring action, and safeguarding the most at-risk songbird species. Please visit www.songbird-survival.org.uk for more information on how you can help protect songbirds.
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