THEY are some of the most successful birds in the region and now new research has shown the extent to which they are taking over.

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) has carried out a survey, some of it in the North-East and North Yorkshire, which identifies cormorants and geese among some of the most successful species.

BTO volunteers have been collecting data for the Breeding Bird Survey since 1994 and the information for the latest analysis was compiled last year.

It shows that a number of species have taken advantage of a succession of mild winters. Forty five species increased their numbers with some of the most significant being Canada goose (up 51 per cent), greylag goose (up 69 per cent) and cormorant (up 31 per cent).

Canada geese are a common sight in the region's countryside and public parks, and cormorants are seen more and more on the North-East's rivers, also plaguing fishery owners by taking stock.

Also doing well are magpie (up nine per cent), jackdaw (up 17 per cent) and carrion crow (up 17 per cent), all highly skilled scavengers.

Birds suffering particularly badly among 18 species whose numbers were down, included shelduck (down 49 per cent), lapwings (down 13 per cent) and kestrel (down 29 per cent).