Reports wanted: Help the Starnberg breeding birds survive!

Reports wanted: Help the Starnberg breeding birds survive!

In the Starnberg district, bird lovers are in the starting blocks: The Working Group of Starnberg Ornithologists (ASO) in the LBV is calling for help in mapping breeding grounds for swifts, barn swallows and house martins. The aim is to create the new Atlas of German Breeding Bird Species (Adebar 2.0), which provides important data for nature conservation. This recording began in March 2025 and will continue until 2029. The first atlas was published in 2012 and shows the nationwide distribution of breeding birds. The new edition is expected to be published in 2030, meaning the long-term observations will provide a broad basis for future conservation measures.

ASO head Pit Brützel says that the mapping is carried out in areas of around 30 square kilometers and that all bird species are counted, with the exception of very common ones such as blackbirds or chaffinches. The study particularly focuses on swifts and swallow species, which are highly threatened due to a lack of nesting space. This decline is due, among other things, to modern construction practices that deprive the birds of necessary breeding sites. Reports of breeding sites can be submitted by telephone at (081 43) 88 08 or by email to starnberg@lbv.de.

Focus on endangered species

Why are swifts and swallows so endangered? The swifts can often be seen high in the sky, where they spend almost their entire lives. They breed in cavities in buildings, and modern construction causes them massive problems. The increasing density of insulated facades significantly reduced their nesting opportunities. In addition, like many other species, swallows are suffering from a declining supply of insects – their main source of food, which leads to a dangerous combination of food shortages and increasing nesting space shortages.

Barn and house martins are directly linked to human civilization and require specific nesting sites and an adequate food supply. They often find their nests in stables and under roofs, although the house martin requires clay to build its nest and lives near bodies of water. Of particular concern was the sudden cold snap in September 2022, which killed many swallows.

An important contribution to nature conservation

The new edition of the Adebar will be a standard work for documenting the distribution and population development of around 280 breeding bird species in Germany. To date, more than 4,000 dedicated people have invested over 500,000 hours in mapping and evaluation. The result will be a comprehensive atlas that not only provides maps of the occurrences, but also provides exciting insights into the birds' lifestyle. In this atlas, too, the species are depicted in loving watercolors, which is of interest not only to experts but also to laypeople - especially when it comes to how one can make a contribution to protecting the lives of these animals, e.g. B. by providing suitable nesting places.

Further information on mapping breeding birds and tips on how citizens can help are available on the website of the “Swallows and Swifts” working group of the LBV district group. If you would like to find out more about the way of life of swifts, you can find out more on the relevant pages of the State Association for Bird Protection or take a look at the comprehensive reference work Adebar, which is ideal for anyone interested in nature.

Commitment to bird protection, especially in these challenging times for many species, is important - every little contribution counts! So anyone who discovers a swift or a swallow in their area should not be afraid to report it and thus actively contribute to the protection of these fascinating animals. Further information is available on Mercury, LBV, and DDA.