Eideard

Thanks, Cinaedh

Cetti’s Warbler

Once heard only rarely outside the north Kent marshes, the loud voice of the Cetti’s warbler is now delighting a whole new set of listeners, from the isle of Anglesey to the banks of the Humber. The bird has moved 150 kilometres further north within the UK in the last 40 years, in response to the changing climate.

Cetti’s warbler is not alone – the little egret has now colonised Britain, which had previously been too cold for the bird; and the comma butterfly can now be found in Edinburgh, at least 220 kilometres north of its former central England home.

These changes, in response to global warming, have happened two to three times faster than was previously expected, according to a new study from the biology department of York University, published…in the peer review journal Science. Although such responses to global warming have been predicted, the study is the first to show that animal and plant species have moved furthest in the regions where the climate has warmed the most.

Species have tended to move towards the poles, fleeing in search of their more accustomed temperatures as climate change has resulted in warming of their normal habitats, according to the new research. The phenomenon is one of the clearest examples of climate change in action.

Chris Thomas, professor of conservation biology at York University and leader of the project, said: “These changes are equivalent to animals and plants shifting away from the equator at around 20 centimetres per hour, for every hour of the day, for every day of the year. This has been going on for the last 40 years and is set to continue for at least the rest of this century. “

RTFA. Lots of details, lots of examples. No doubt the article in Science – as it becomes available free on the Web – will add a great deal more.

In recent years, I’ve noted several examples from local observations here at Lot 4. Redwing Blackbirds which used to pass through spring and fall on migrations – now stay for the winter. We acquired mockingbirds here this year – for the first time – no surprise at this latitude; but, in combination with the altitude, it’s new. I’ve noted a new species of lizard typically found closer to Sonoran desert – but, not in New Mexico’s high desert plains – that showed up here about three years ago. I was really worried about that one – afraid they might push out our native Blue Tail Skinks; but, they seem to be competing OK.