About 200 meters from the busy E39 at Stord in Vestland, biologist and nature photographer Jan Rabben has lived for 23 years. In these years, he has photographed the animal and bird life right next to the house, an interest he has had since the 1960s. He notices that something is happening to nature, and that things are changing in the forest. Kjernebitar male watches as a chaffinch and a dompap are in a fight. Photo: Jan Rabben Must take care of nature for the next generation. That is why Rabben has collected a series of pictures in book form, called “Birds and animals around the house in the forest”. He wants me to understand what I have and what can be lost. – In addition to the climate crisis, we have a loss of biological diversity. It is just as serious, and that is why I have also dedicated the book to the grandchildren, he says. Since 1980, 600 million birds in Europe have disappeared, according to a report from Birdlife. The worst situation is for birds in the cultural landscape. The vipe bird is about to disappear for good. The same is the case for many seabirds. Among other things, the seagull, which this summer was also badly affected by bird flu. He sits here for hours looking for the perfect subject. At the same time, he notices a sad development. Photo: Olav Røli / news Stillers in the forest But changes are also underway in the forest, believes Rabben, whom news meets at the back of the house. Several bird trays are set up, he pours out sunflower seeds without shells on one of the bird trays. – These are snacks for the birds, he says. A black tit has landed on the head of Jan Rabben’s grandson. He wants the next generation to experience the same bird life. Photo: Jan Rabben And within a short time there will be woodpeckers, great tit, black tit and spruce tit. They grab seeds and fly away again. It is simply a whirlwind life. For the photographer, it’s about capturing the blink of an eye of life on the camera. A squirrel is caught looking for nuts. They can jump around two metres. Photo: Jan Rabben A core piece is captured in flight. Photo: Jan Rabben The white-backed woodpecker is a species that is listed as endangered. He is a county bird in old Hordaland, and is a rare guest to see. Photo: Jan Rabben Raudstrupe is a species that has a viable population. Photo: Jan Rabben Missing several bird species But something has happened to this whirling life since Rabben started to take an interest in birds in the 1960s. – In general, I notice that there have been fewer birds, and that there are still more people in the forest. It’s sad, he says. This is a development that is also supported in several research reports. Among other things, Rabben points to the fact that several species of tit, such as the spruce tit, appear to be in decline. – I saw more of these before. Besides, it has been many years since I had black and white flycatchers in the bird box. Before, there were often three or four pairs that nested here, he explains. It’s a whirlwind of life at Jan Rabben’s bird board. Many species come here. Photo: Olav Røli / news Species in decline Rabben’s observations also show that in the garden bird count. They point to a decline for several titmouse species in the forest. Among other things, the species granmeis has gone from being viable to being given the status of near threatened in the species database. National red list for threatened species The Norwegian red list for species 2021 is the fourth red list published by the Norwegian Species Data Bank. Of over 46,000 observed species in Norway as of 2021, 23,405 species have been assessed for the Red List 2021. Ranking of the categories (English abbreviation in brackets): EXTINCT: Extinct – The species no longer exists. Extinct in the wild – Species that are thought to be extinct in the wild, but still survive in captivity. RED LIST: Regionally extinct (RE) – There is very little doubt that the species is extinct from a region (here: Norway). Critically endangered (CR) – Species that are directly endangered and have a 50% risk of extinction from 10 to 100 years from now. Strongly unlikely (EN) – Species that have a high risk of extinction, more precisely 20% risk of extinction from 20 to 100 years in the future. Vulnerable (VU) – Species that are threatened and have a 10% risk of extinction within 100 years. Nær truga (NT) – Species which, due to decline, require special care and measures. In Norway, these species have a 5% chance of becoming extinct within 100 years. Data insufficient (DD) – Species that lack the necessary information to assess the threat picture, and can be anything from critically endangered to viable. As is often the case, these are species that would still end up on the red list if the knowledge about them was sufficient. NOT RED LIST: Viable (LC) – Species that are not directly threatened. Not owned (NA) – Species that are not to be assessed at national level, mainly alien species (introduced to Norway after 1800), or accidental guests. Not assessed (NE) – The species has not been evaluated for unknown reasons, for example because the species is relatively new and therefore lacks recognition as a separate species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), or because it has been extinct for so long that it is not interesting to categorize. See more about the categories and method in the Species Data Bank here. The Species Data Bank also has a corresponding red list for nature types. Source: Species data bank, Sabima and Wikipedia. The reasons are, among other things, that wetlands have been drained. In addition, spruce tits depend on dark tree trunks to make nests. Granmeisa is a species that is gradually declining. Reasons can be a lack of nesting sites, but also competition with other species. Photo: Jan Rabben Associate professor at UiB, Terje Lislevand, is a member of the expert committee that assesses which birds should be redlisted. – The Norwegian Red List shows an increase in the number of bird species. At the same time, I have gained better knowledge than I had before, says Lislevand. Photo: Lotte Solheim Johannessen / news When a species such as the spruce tit goes from having a viable population to becoming endangered, a decline in the population is to blame. – Reasons can be changes in habitat, forestry, agriculture, and climate change. When it comes to the spruce tit, it could be forestry or competition from other species for nest sites that are the cause, he says. For the committee that runs redlisting, observations made by Jan Rabben and other bird enthusiasts are of great importance – It is important that those of us who have lived for a while and have experienced change speak up and pass this on, says Lislevand, before he adds: – Many species are also making progress, and with measures we have succeeded in getting many species back again, he says. Nature photographer and biologist Jan Rabben has been interested in birdlife since 1960. He notices that the forest is getting quieter. Photo: Olav Røli / news A picture is missing Earlier this autumn, author and nature conservation advisor Martin Eggen published the book “Life won’t be the same without birds”. The book has been well received, both by book reviewers and the public. And Eggen thinks the decline in many bird species is proof of how we manage nature. A nutcracker takes a bath. Photo: Jan Rabben Back in Stord, the nature photographer is obsessed with the fact that we don’t have to travel far to find good subjects. Despite the fact that several species are in decline. But despite countless attempts, it is one species he has never been able to achieve. – To be able to take a picture of a tree crawler in flight is completely hopeless. You never know where he will land, he says. Hello! Do you have any thoughts after reading this case, or would you like to advise us about similar or other cases. Send me an email.
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Several species in the forest are in great decline – news Vestland
