Sir, The recent report by the British Trust for Ornithology on breeding birds provides both winners and losers (Opinion, Aug 18). Between 1994 and 2007, 47 per cent of species increased significantly while 27 per cent decreased significantly. Red kite, raven and graylag goose all increased their range and garden birds, including song thrush, have also done well. Farmland birds have not done so well and sea birds have had a bad breeding season.

While this report may be interpreted in a number of ways, the immediate assumption by certain conservation organisations that climate change is directly responsible seems to me to be purely alarmist and a way of recruiting new members.

Nature can and will adapt to change but whether we can get used to a population explosion of ring-necked parakeets is another matter.

Rob Yorke
Brecon, Powys

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