Essex birdwatchers fear that farmers are driving some breeds out of the county -- despite a Government announcement of a nationwide increase in numbers.

A survey published by the Department of the Environment shows that, nationally, the success of rare and woodland species contributed to a population growth of three per cent last year, although farmland birds dropped slightly in numbers.

But, while the figures are encouraging, the outlook across Essex is less rosy. In particular, ornithologists are concerned that continuing changes in farming patterns are taking their toll on some of the county's less common species.

An example is the stone curlew. While the report cites the breed as a success story in the eastern counties, Chris Durdin, of the East Anglian branch of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, points out that this is not the case locally.

"The stone curlew is just hanging on in north-west Essex, by which I mean there is one bird, perhaps a pair," he said.

Mr Durdin attributes the bird's decline to the gradual replacement of its natural habitat of spring crops by coarser arable plants like wheat.

And modern farming may also account for the decline in the county's farmland species, with birds like the corn bunting and tree sparrow slowly disappearing.

To counter this fall in numbers, the RSPB has launched Bird Aid, and is pleased that local farmers have co-operated by allowing them on to their land to research and feed dying breeds.

Although the woodland-dwelling greater spotted and green woodpeckers are breeding successfully in Essex, the lesser spotted variety and the willow and marsh tits are declining in number.

But the outlook is not entirely bleak. In the last year, Essex has seen a significant increase in the number of avocets, the black and white wading bird emblazoned across the RSPB's logo. The marsh harrier has also taken a foothold in the county.

Published Thursday December 27, 2001