Feeling hot? Get ready for 145;egg boom146;

The overall warming due to climate change might lead to a 8216;8216;baby boom8217;8217; among at least two-thirds of bird species. A survey of almost 54,000 birds says due to higher temperatures in the spring of 2003, eggs were laid earlier than usual, with most showing 8216;8216;above average productivity8217;8217;.

That, however, might not be the most important factor in the study by a team from the Museum of Natural History in Paris. Dr Romain Julliard and his colleagues studied the impact of climate change, especially last year8217;s hot spring and summer, on 32 species of birds. The report will be published today.

The stonechat, robin, blue tit, cirl bunting, Cetti8217;s warbler and greater spotted woodpecker showed a 8216;8216;baby boom8217;8217;, said Dr Julliard. The losers were the willow warbler, willow tit, yellowhammer, wren and bullfinch, which were already suffering from long-term decline.