THE UK's common wild bird population has reached its highest level in ten years and rare birds are also flourishing.

Statistics published by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show a particular rise in woodland birds, with 24 out of 33 species increasing in 2000.

The song thrush, which was declining, is now on the increase, along with species such as the great spotted woodpecker and gold crest.

With a 5pc increase on 1999, the index for woodland birds has reached its highest level since 1990.

Rare birds have more than doubled in number over the past 30 years and the main success story in the Yorkshire and Humber area is the bittern. It is a small brown heron that lives in reed beds and tall wetland vegetation. It is covered by a biodiversity action plan, putting it at the top of the government's conservation priorities.

The population reached a low point of only 11 males in 1997, but since the mid-90s, a concerted programme of reed bed habitat restoration, pioneered by the RSPB, has reversed its fortunes. In the last few years there has been a steady increase in numbers with a target of 50 males by 2010 and 100 by 2020.

Action plans for the recovery of the most seriously declining species, such as the grey partridge, skylark and corn bunting are being implemented.

Mr Michael Meacher, Environment Minister, welcomed the figures, but warned against complacency. "For more than 20 years, farmland and woodland birds have been in long-term decline. It is too early to say we are on the way to a sustained recovery.

"We are committed to achieving a long-term reversal of the decline in populations of wild birds. Not only would our own lives without them be the poorer, but also they are an excellent indicator of the state of health of the countryside."

"The increase in rare birds show what can be achieved by concerted conservation action, but greater efforts will be needed to extend this success to other species."