Europe's birds in a changing climate

An adult female osprey in flight. According to the RSPB's climatic atlas, this bird will lose suitable climate in the UK and conservationists project that it will suffer probable UK extinction. However this decline will not be as sharp as other species in this category, as the centuries of persecution suffered by the bird mean that it does not currently occupy all of its range to begin with Photograph: Chris Gomersall/RSPB images

A pair of Scottish crossbill on the nest. This is another species that may become extinct in the UK if temperatures continue to rise due to climate change Photograph: RSPB images

A capercaillie cock displaying at the Abernethy RSPB reserve. Data in the climatic atlas shows that the UK distribution of this species is likely to shrink to less than 5% of its current range. The UK capercaillie population has declined rapidly, and it is IUCN-World Conservation Union "Red List" species Photograph: Desmond Duggan/RSPB images

A Dartford warbler, singing from the top of a gorse bush. Climate change may in fact benefit this species of warbler, as parts of the UK are expected to become more suitable habitats and warmer temperatures will increase their range. “To enable these potential new colonists to gain a foothold we must prepare for their arrival by giving them the habitat they need and the freedom from persecution they deserve,” said Mark Avery, the RSPB’s conservation director Photograph: Chris Gomersall/RSPB images

A redshank feeding in shallow water. The UK distribution of this species is likely to shirnk as the climate in parts of the UK becomes less suitable, the RSPB warns Photograph: Chris Gomersall/RSPB images

A adult lapwing at Elmley Marsh RSPB reserve. The lapwing, like the redshank, will also see its UK distribution shrink due to climate change Photograph: Chris Gomersall/RSPB images

A stone curlew, with its nest and eggs, in Breckland, Norfolk. The range of the stone curlew will expand due to climate change as more habitat becomes climatically suitable, the RSPB atlas shows Photograph: Chris Gomersall/RSPB images

UK distribution of the curlew will shrink due to climate change. “Some level of climate change is now inevitable and we must help wildlife become resilient to the worst impacts by increasing investment in creating larger areas for nature and making the countryside more wildlife-friendly to allow species to move to areas where the climate becomes suitable,” Avery said Photograph: Chris Gomersall/RSPB images

A male ptarmigan in winter plumage in the Cairngorms national park in Scotland. The UK distribution of this species is likely to shrink to less than 5% of its current range in the highest mountains of the Scottish Highlands Photograph: Tom Marshall /RSPB images

A red grouse in the Cairngorms. Red grouse breed in the UK in the uplands of the north and west - distribution which is likely to shrink as the climate in parts of the UK becomes unsuitable Photograph: Tom Marshall/RSPB images

A hoopoe raises its crest at a nest hole in Greece. Climate change means we may see more of these birds in the UK as more habitat becomes suitable Photograph: Richard Brooks/RSPB images