Download Species case studies

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
BIRDS OF CONSERVATION
CONCERN: RED LIST (decline in
breeding population and range)
UK BAP SPECIES
STAGE ON RECOVERY CURVE:
regional variations of trial management
and recovery management
POPULATION TREND: declining,
-80% over 13 years
THREATS: population fragmentation,
habitat loss and inappropriate land
management.
KEY CONSERVATION DELIVERY
MECHANISMS: reserves, agrienvironment schemes,
intervention/recovery and site
protection
The black grouse is a scarce bird
in the UK, found in Wales,
Scotland and northern England.
Populations have been declining
since the early 1900s, with the
decline accelerating since newly
planted forestry matured in the
1980s. Their range has also
declined, with local extinctions in
many regions.
It is now a bird of the uplands,
living on moorland and farmland,
usually with woodland nearby. In
the breeding season, the males
gather at traditional open spaces
to perform their flamboyant
displays, called ‘leks’. The females
select a mate, and afterwards
leave to rear their chicks alone.
The male takes no further part and
will continue to display, seeking
more females. Black grouse are
most easily counted on the lek
sites, and as they do not form
lasting pairs, populations are
quoted in ‘lekking males’.
A RANGE OF PROBLEMS
Black grouse is a rapidly declining
species, depending on a mosaic of
habitats associated with low intensity
livestock or forestry management.
Over the last 50 years, there have
been considerable changes in the
landscape of the UK. Farming has
intensified and large-scale forestry
plantations have matured, and this
gives a uniform habitat rather than the
patchwork that the black grouse need.
As black grouse numbers have fallen,
other factors have become more
important, which larger populations
should be able to withstand. Bad
weather, particularly cold wet
conditions in June, can kill feeding
chicks. Predators kill adults and chicks,
while adults crashing into unmarked
deer fences account for more deaths.
Some factors have affected black
grouse on a regional basis, while
others have operated on a UK-wide
scale. Some factors are less of a
threat than they were. For example,
many deer fences have been
removed, or are well marked and
more easily avoided. Often a
combination of factors drives the
population to low levels, when a
chance occurrence can kill a small
number of birds and so cause a
local extinction.
WHAT IS THE RSPB DOING FOR
BLACK GROUSE?
The RSPB is involved with several
different recovery projects, which use
the best available research, to focus
on the needs of the black grouse on a
regional basis. Project officers, usually
supported by a partnership of
organisations, work with farmers,
foresters, estate managers and
gamekeepers to safeguard and create
vital habitat, often funded by
government grants. Working with
local people, project officers also
monitor the fortunes of black grouse,
to see how they respond to the
changes in management.
These regional projects are testing
the mix of management measures,
both to secure regional populations
and to inform land management
policies. There are currently recovery
projects in Wales and on RSPB nature
reserves in England, Scotland and
Wales. We are also involved in
WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO
As our knowledge of how to help
black grouse increases, we will also
press for the provision and uptake of
suitable options in agri-environment
and forestry grant schemes. These
will provide guidance and financial
support to ensure other land
managers can provide the conditions
these birds need.
Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
large-scale land management trials in
Scotland, as well as training events
for land managers and advisers who
want to help black grouse.
PARTNERS WE ARE WORKING WITH: Nationally – Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, Countryside Council for
Wales and Forestry Commission Scotland. Specific projects will have other partners.
18,000
Figure 1 Indicative breeding range
distribution. Maps created by RSPB
Conservation Data Management Unit.
Figure 2 Systematic surveys
undertaken in 1995/96 and
2005 have shown that black
grouse populations
(measured as lekking males)
have taken a tumble from
1991 estimated levels.
16,000
14,000
Population
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
1991
1995/96
2005
Year
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.
223-0531-10-11
Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
BIRDS OF CONSERVATION
CONCERN: RED LIST
(decline in breeding population
and range)
UK BAP SPECIES
STAGE ON RECOVERY CURVE:
recovery management
POPULATION TREND: declining,
-10% over 11 years
THREATS: poor breeding, habitat
loss and bad weather effects
KEY CONSERVATION DELIVERY
MECHANISMS: reserves, agrienvironment schemes and site
protection
The capercaillie is the largest
grouse in the world. In the UK,
they are now only found in native
pine forests and plantations in
Scotland. Most of the population
is found in Strathspey – with a
significant proportion on RSPB
nature reserves.
The males gather to display to the
females, a process known as
‘lekking’. Capercaillie don’t form
lasting pair bonds with the
females as dominant males mate
with more than one hen.
Capercaillie populations cannot
therefore be quoted in pairs.
Winter counts are often used.
These estimate the total
population of birds in a given area,
at a time when the birds are not
showing breeding behaviour.
Numbers are therefore quoted
as ‘individuals’.
THE RISE AND FALL OF THE
CAPERCAILLIE
Capercaillie are believed to have
become extinct from the whole of the
UK in the 17th century, probably
because of hunting and extensive
felling of forests. They were
reintroduced in the 19th century by
sporting estates, when more forest
was planted. They quickly recolonised
the pinewoods of northern Scotland
and their numbers grew to a peak in
the early 1900s. The demand for wood
during the two World Wars meant that
much suitable capercaillie habitat was
felled. Consequently, the number of
birds fell and, although there was some
increase in numbers in the 1960s, by
1999 only 1,000 birds remained.
The decline in capercaillie numbers
over the last 30 years has resulted from
poor breeding. The lack of food at
crucial times in the breeding cycle,
thought to be as a result of climate
change, is likely to be the factor in
these failures. However, effects have
been compounded by deaths resulting
from collision with deer fences,
accounting for up to 50% of adult
mortality; fox and crow predation;
human disturbance; and limited food due
to high deer grazing pressure.
Scotland is not the only place to
experience declines. Capercaillie
populations have also been falling in
central European countries, such as
Switzerland. Large populations still exist
in the boreal forests of Scandinavia and
northern Russia, but even these are
declining, in part due to large-scale
forest clearing.
IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
Capercaillie have been studied by the
RSPB, the Game and Wildlife
Conservation Trust (GWCT) and the
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH)
to monitor breeding success and survival
in forests across the range. Such work
has found that over a period of almost 30
years, average productivity declined
significantly. This was in part attributed to
a lack of nutrient-rich food, which is
important for maintaining condition in
breeding hens, due to later springs.
Studies found that capercaillie chicks need
a diet rich in invertebrates, such as
caterpillars, and that blaeberry was the
best habitat for chicks. This habitat was
scarce in many forests because of
heavy grazing by deer and modern
forestry practices. Fences, erected to
keep deer out of pinewoods and
forestry plantations, proved to be a
significant problem, with many birds
flying into them and dying. Predation
by crows also contributed to poor
breeding success at the RSPB’s
Abernethy reserve.
FORGING IMPORTANT
PARTNERSHIPS
The RSPB plays a vital role in the
future of the capercaillie in the UK. We
are working with landowners, Forestry
Commission Scotland (FCS), Scottish
Natural Heritage (SNH) and other
agencies, to ensure better conditions
for capercaillie, and to help their
populations to grow. Working with FCS
and private estates to benefit
capercaillie during the preparation of
long-term forest plans and
agri-environment applications is a vital
component of our work. We will also
continue our work to improve our
Caledonian pine forest nature reserves
for capercaillie.
Habitat restoration, predator control
and the marking or removal of fences
have been methods used to stabilise
populations numbers, such as at
Abernethy, which has proved a valuable
example for capercaillie forest
management. Conservation work on a
large scale is being carried out on key
sites for capercaillie in Scotland, for both
commercial and semi-natural forests.
Conservation work for the capercaillie
benefited from EU LIFE funding
between 2002 and 2006. This enabled
intensive conservation management
and led to the population stabilising.
The scale of effort is now in place to
deliver positive change. It will, however,
be some years before real increases in
numbers are achieved, with good
productivity only achievable in goodweather years. Recovery work,
co-ordinated by an RSPB Project Officer
(jointly funded by SNH and FCS),
focuses on off-reserve work, including
deer fence removal/marking, habitat
management and tackling predation and
recreational disturbance issues. We
continue to manage more than 4500
hectares of pine forest on our own
reserves for capercaillie. Ongoing
research will further inform recovery
management.
WHAT NEXT?
Forest fragmentation is a serious
problem and efforts should be made to
improve forest habitat networks across
the capercaillie's range. The long-term
future of existing plantations in core
areas will need to be resolved very
soon. Promoting alternative silvicultural
systems to clearfells is a key aspect of
this. We will also continue to advise
private stakeholders on how to access
funds for capercaillie conservation
management on private grounds. More
than 50,000 hectares of native
pinewoods have been planted, with
support from the Forestry Commission
Scotland. The network of Special
Protection Areas holds more than 50%
of the national population. Many of the
key forest habitats are now being
managed with the birds in mind, and
the RSPB will continue to provide
advice until the population is secure.
The main constraint on success for
these birds will be the damaging impact
that the weather can have during the
breeding season, with climate change
possibly being a major factor. However,
we hope that by improving the habitat
there will be more food and cover to
help chicks survive bad weather.
PARTNERS WE ARE WORKING WITH: Forestry Commission Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage, Capecaillie Biodiversity
Action Plan Group.
Figure 1 Indicative breeding range
distribution map. Maps created
by RSPB Conservation Data
Management Unit.
Figure 2 Capercaillie population (counted
as lekking males) at 44 key sites in
Scotland has declined since 2002.
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Year
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.
223-0531-10-11
Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
BIRDS OF CONSERVATION
CONCERN: RED LIST (breeding
range decline)
UK BAP SPECIES
STAGE ON RECOVERY CURVE:
recovery management
POPULATION TREND: Increasing,
206% over 25 years
THREATS: changes in agricultural
management, reducing the
availability of food (seeds in winter
and insects in summer)
KEY CONSERVATION DELIVERY
MECHANISMS:
agri-environment schemes, site
protection and translocation
Cirl buntings are birds of
traditional mixed farmland,
needing hedges for nesting, and
a mix of weedy cereal stubbles
to provide seed food in winter
and unimproved pasture, rich in
insects, to feed young in spring.
The cirl bunting is in fact the
UK’s rarest resident farmland
songbird, with a population of
around 800 pairs. They were
once widespread across
southern England but are, at
present, rarely found outside
south Devon, living in an area up
to 15 km from the coast
between Exeter and Plymouth.
Like many small birds, they tend
to form monogamous pair bonds
that last for the whole breeding
season. The males hold
territories and advertise their
presence with song.
AGRICULTURAL CHANGES
In the 1930s cirl buntings were
widespread in southern England and
were known as the village bunting.
Numbers have crashed since then and
by 1989 there were only about 120
pairs left in the UK, most of these in
south Devon.
RSPB research discovered that
changes in farming practice had
reduced food availability in both
winter and summer.
• Changes from spring sown to
autumn sown cereals meant there
were fewer stubble fields left to
provide over-winter seed food
sources. This was exacerbated by
the increasing use of herbicides,
which reduced weed burdens in
crops and seed in the subsequent
stubbles. The decline of stooking
(gathering cut wheat or straw into
bundles) and the loss of threshing
yards further reduced winter grain
availability.
• Using more pesticides and
fertilizers on crops and grassland
meant there were fewer insects –
especially grasshoppers – for the
young birds to eat in summer.
• Removing hedges and bushes
meant there were fewer suitable
nesting sites.
• Traditional mixed farms have
virtually disappeared and areas have
become specialized. Nowadays the
agricultural landscape is polarized,
dominated by grassland in the west
and arable land in the east.
Cirl buntings don’t travel far, usually
moving no more than 2 km between
their breeding and wintering areas. This
lack of movement may be the key to
why cirl buntings were almost lost
from the UK. As the landscape became
more polarized, the birds were unable
to find areas that provided both winter
and summer habitats within their
normal range. Losing just one habitat
component in an area, such as winter
food, makes it unsuitable for these
birds and they are likely to be lost from
the area. Once cirl buntings are lost
from an area, they are unlikely to
recolonise unless there are breeding
birds within about 2 km. These findings
were used to develop specific options
for cirl buntings within
agri-environment schemes (firstly
Countryside Stewardship and then
Environmental Stewardship).
for the RSPB to demonstrate
cirl bunting management to the
farming community.
MAKING PROGRESS
The RSPB has worked closely with
Defra and Natural England to create
suitable habitat through
agri-environment agreements.
Many landowners have been
encouraged to provide weedy
stubbles that are vital for the birds’
winter survival. Sympathetic scrub
management and extensive grazing of
semi-natural grasslands have also
been encouraged. One-to-one advice
provision has been crucial for
achieving increases in the amount of
suitable habitat for cirl buntings.
POPULATIONS ARE VULNERABLE
The cirl bunting population does
however remain vulnerable. Although
numbers have increased, there have
been few signs of range expansion.
The species can be vulnerable to
severe winter weather: prolonged
snow cover would be less worrying
if the population was more widely
dispersed.
Our purchase of Labrador Bay in
South Devon, to be managed as a cirl
bunting nature reserve, was an
exciting step. As well as the potential
for this site to support an important
population, this is a great opportunity
Birds that rely on small areas of habitat
are also very susceptible to any loss or
changes to that habitat. Away from the
coast, cirl buntings often breed around
the edges of settlements, inhabiting
land between housing and farmland.
This is prime development land, which
can result in the loss of habitat. If
there is nowhere for the cirl buntings
to go, they are lost.
THE FUTURE
The RSPB continues to work with
farmers and local communities to help
the cirl bunting population to grow. Its
future looks more secure than it did
20 years ago, but there are still big
challenges to be met.
To secure a long-term future for cirl
buntings, their range needs to be
expanded. This will only be achieved
through further and more wide
ranging changes in agricultural policy
to encourage farming that supports
both farmers and wildlife. To aid the
recovery and to reduce the risk of the
Devon population crashing, the RSPB
and Natural England have developed a
programme to create a new
population in Cornwall by
translocation. This project is
continuing and there is now a small
breeding population in South
Cornwall. In 2010, 16 breeding pairs
produced over 39 fledged chicks.
PARTNERS WE ARE WORKING WITH: Defra, Natural England, the National Trust, Paignton Zoo, the Zoological Society
London and many individuals and land owners.
Figure 1 Indicative breeding range
distribution. Maps created by RSPB
Conservation Data Management Unit.
1000
Figure 2 The cirl bunting population
(counted as breeding pairs) has
increased since 1982.
900
800
Population
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
8
6
4
0
19
92
19
94
19
96
19
98
20
00
20
02
20
04
20
06
20
06
20
08
19
9
19
8
19
8
19
8
19
8
2
0
Year
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.
223-0531-10-11
Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com)
BIRDS OF CONSERVATION
CONCERN: RED LIST (breeding
range decline)
UK BAP SPECIES
STAGE ON RECOVERY CURVE:
recovery management (rural areas),
diagnosis (urban areas)
POPULATION TREND: declining,
-56% over 25 years
THREATS: not fully understood, but
mainly linked to reduced food
availability
KEY CONSERVATION DELIVERY
MECHANISMS:
advocacy and advice
House sparrows, as their name
suggests, live close to humans.
They are social birds, living in
small colonies, and they spend a
lot of time in social interaction.
They are found in built-up areas
and on farmland throughout most
of the UK, with the exception of
some upland areas. The house
sparrow is an opportunist,
exploiting humans for food.
It’s rare to see this sedentary bird
away from established colonies.
They tend to nest close to each
other, typically with nests a few
feet apart. Although they don’t
hold territories as many small
birds do, the males defend a
small area around the nest site,
their familiar ‘cheep’ proclaiming
their ownership.
Historically, house sparrows have
been viewed as pests. In the early
20th century, millions of birds were
harvested and tens of thousands of
eggs destroyed because they were
considered an agricultural pest. Birds
were netted, shot, eggs were
collected, nests destroyed, and some
birds were even eaten in pies. It
seems incredible that despite this
level of harvesting, the population
was hardly affected, and this provides
a shocking comparison to the plight
this species faces today.
DRAMATIC DECLINES
House sparrow populations have been
in steep decline across the UK since
the 1970s. This has been severe
enough to earn them a place on the
Red List, although the extent of the
declines varies considerably across
the country. The declines are worst in
House sparrows feed on seeds
and grains for most of their lives,
but in the very first few days of
life, they need plenty of foods rich
in protein. Parents will feed chicks
with insects, spiders and beetles.
eastern England, while much of
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
have actually seen some increases.
As has been widely reported in the
media, sparrows are now absent from
many areas of central London where
they were once common.
RESEARCH INTO DECLINES
The problems faced by house sparrows
in the wider countryside are somewhat
different to those in gardens. A study
by the RSPB and Oxford University
found that population declines on
farmland are linked to food (grain)
availability throughout the year, but
especially in winter. This is thought to
be a direct consequence of changes in
farming practices and stricter grain
storage regulations. One cause of the
declines that has been hypothesised is
predation by sparrowhawks. Some
research evidence has suggested that
this could have a localised impact under
some circumstances, but it cannot
adequately explain the huge declines
that have been recorded overall, and
the available evidence found no
correlation at the national level.
The reasons for the decline in urban
areas are not yet fully understood, but
may be partly associated with poor
chick survival in the first few days of
life. Research has been undertaken by
the RSPB and De Montfort University
to identify which environmental factors
that rely so much on sharing a healthy
involved. The evidence indicates that
environment with people.
Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com)
(food, predators, competitors etc) are
house sparrows in urban areas suffer
from a lack of insects during the
Whilst research into the decline in
breeding season, causing the young
urban areas continues, the public are
chicks to starve to death. Subsequent
being encouraged to manage their
experimental feeding across London
gardens to benefit wildlife. The RSPB’s
has confirmed that invertebrate prey
Homes for Wildlife project inspires
abundance limits reproductive
people to make a real difference for
success and population size, at least
the wildlife in their gardens by
in small colonies of house sparrows.
providing practical information on how
to manage gardens in a wildlife-
FINDING SOLUTIONS
friendly way. It aims to help a range of
An innovative new RSPB project is
wildlife, including familiar birds that
looking for natural ways to increase
have seriously declined, such as the
the food available to sparrows and
house sparrow.
other birds in our urban green spaces.
The London House Sparrow Parks
FURTHER WORK
Project is trialling different habitat
The RSPB will continue to investigate
management methods in London
the causes of the decline of the
parks, including provision of long
house sparrow in urban areas, and to
grass, native wildflower meadows
seek ways to help the population
and wildlife seed plots. These should
recover. We will also press for
boost invertebrate numbers and
effective agri-environment schemes to
provide seed during the winter, and
ensure that all the house sparrows’
could benefit a host of urban birds,
requirements are met on farmland.
insects and other wildlife. This will
enable us to provide advice to green
space managers across the UK to
help these much loved, familiar birds
PARTNERS WE ARE WORKING WITH: Institute of Zoology, London; Imperial College, London, University of Aberdeen, City
of London, The Royal Parks, Lee Valley Regional Park, London Borough of Islington, London Borough of Camden, London
Borough of Wandsworth, London Borough of Southwark, London Borough of Sutton, SITA, ICB-Diadem and Northern Trust.
.
Figure 1 Indicative breeding range
distribution map. Maps created by RSPB
Conservation Data Management Unit.
Figure 2 There is a very different picture for house
sparrows across the UK, with worrying declines
in England and a number of major cities.
Index ( 1994 = 100)
250
200
150
100
50
UK
England
N.Ireland
Scotland
Wales
5
19
96
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
05
20
06
20
07
20
08
19
9
19
9
4
0
Year
BBS data presented as smoothed trends.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.
223-0531-10-11
Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
BIRDS OF CONSERVATION
CONCERN: AMBER LIST (range
decline, breeding localisation)
UK BAP SPECIES
STAGE ON RECOVERY CURVE:
recovery management
POPULATION TREND: increasing,
524%1 over 25 years
THREATS: changes in farming
practices (including the demise of
mixed farming) and habitat loss
brought about by agricultural
intensification and conifer plantations
have driven long-term declines.
KEY CONSERVATION DELIVERY
MECHANISMS:
reserves, agri-environment schemes,
site protection and
intervention/recovery
Stone-curlews are large, streaky
waders that breed on bare, open
areas where they can see the
surrounding territory, so that they
can watch for predators. They are
very wary birds and are
susceptible to disturbance. In the
UK, they inhabit chalk downland,
heathland and arable farmland and
the chicks rely on their amazing
camouflage for protection. Their
main population centres in
England are in the Brecks (in
Norfolk and Suffolk) and around
Salisbury Plain. They are summer
visitors and spend the winter
farther south, for example, in
Spain, Portugal and North Africa.
They are counted by careful
observation, from a safe distance,
of potential nesting areas, looking
for signs of nesting behaviour.
When breeding pairs are located,
field staff can work with the
farmers to ensure that the nests
can be protected during
necessary farming operations.
WHY IS THE STONE-CURLEW A
CONSERVATION PRIORITY?
WHAT DID THE RESEARCH SHOW?
Over the last hundred years, stone-
farmers and landowners to carry out
curlews have declined because of the
detailed research. This initially focused
loss of suitable semi-natural habitat,
on the ecology of stone-curlews, which
which has resulted from agricultural
showed that they require open ground
intensification and the planting of
for nesting and grazing land for
conifers. This reduced the area of their
feeding. Stone-curlews are nocturnal,
breeding habitat. Some took
but they feed by sight, mainly on
advantage of bare patches in spring-
beetles, woodlice, millipedes and
sown cereal crops, such as kale.
earthworms on very short grassland,
However, in the last 40 years the
the edge of arable fields, outdoor pig
switch to autumn-sown cereals,
farms and manure heaps.
The RSPB has worked closely with
changes to the management of
spring-sown crops and the
The research also found that farming
specialisation of farming has reduced
operations, such as the rolling of
the amount of suitable land. As well
cereals, weed control cultivations and
as nest sites, stone-curlews also need
irrigation equipment use, pose a threat
semi-natural habitat (closely grazed
of direct destruction of eggs or chicks.
downland/heathland) or short pasture
Locating nests and chicks, alerting the
to feed in.
farmer to their presence and, if
necessary, marking the nest, delaying
The stone-curlew experienced one of
operations or lifting the chicks until
the fastest rates of decline of any UK
operations had been completed, made
bird. The birds used to breed as far
a significant difference. This resulted in
north as Lincolnshire and Yorkshire in
the birds faring 37% better per year.
England, but are now found in East
Anglia and Wessex. By 1991, the
As well as providing species protection
population was estimated at only
and monitoring, fieldworkers give
168 pairs.
1 M A et al (2009) Birds of Conservation Concern; The population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 102, pp 296-341.
advice on land management for stone-
has resulted in the stone-curlew
stone-curlew is still a relatively rare,
curlews and encourage suitable
moving from red to amber on the
restricted range species in the UK and
habitat to be provided for nesting and
Bocc 2009 list. Basing our work on
is currently dependent on targeted
feeding under the agri-environment
excellent research, with strong
RSPB conservation action.
scheme. Two-hectare plots are
commitment from farmers and
managed during the summer to
landowners, as well as
It is our aim to move management
maintain open ground. They are
agri-environment incentives, has led
and monitoring to a state where
particularly valuable where arable has
to the success of this programme.
annual hands-on intervention is no
been reverted to grassland, as this
longer essential. How to achieve this
provides the combination of nesting
Most stone-curlews nest on farmland
is currently being investigated.
and feeding habitat in close proximity.
and military training land, but RSPB
However, it is important we do not
nature reserves have a role to play.
make changes that result in the
In recent years, the RSPB’s research
Reversion of arable land to chalk
reversal of recent increases. It is also
focus has covered the response of this
grassland is taking place at our
crucial that other organisations,
species to disturbance and the impact
Normanton Down and at
government and industry take
of roads on its distribution. This work
Winterbourne Downs reserves. We
responsibility to deliver stone-curlew
has enabled the detailed modelling of
have also been converting former
conservation, through deployment of
potential recreation and access
arable land on our Minsmere nature
appropriate support mechanisms.
impacts, and has been used to plan
reserve to acid grassland. Stone-
and modify access to breeding sites so
curlews have recently nested
Creating suitable habitat on a
disturbance is minimised. Research
successfully on these reserves.
significant scale is needed for the
has shown the density of breeding
birds to re-colonise parts of their
stone-curlews close to major roads is
AIMING FOR SUSTAINABILITY
former range. We have made some
significantly lower than away from
The UK 2010 BAP target of 300 pairs
progress on our reserves, but we can
such roads. This information has been
of stone-curlews has been surpassed.
only influence a small proportion of
used in planning road development.
We have halted severe decline and
the population in this way. We need to
the population is increasing. In 2009,
encourage significant habitat
REASONS FOR SUCCESS
there were 359 pairs of stone-curlews
restoration and recreation if we are to
Conservation efforts have led to
proved to be breeding in England,
achieve a sustainable population of
population increases and, to a more
more than double the population in
this species with reduced direct input
limited extent, range expansion. This
1991. Despite this success, the
from the RSPB.
PARTNERS WE ARE WORKING WITH: Natural England, MoD and many individual farmers and landowners.
350
Figure 1 Indicative breeding range
distribution. Maps created by RSPB
Conservation Data Management Unit.
Figure 2 Stone-curlew populations (counted in
breeding pairs) have increased steadily since 2004.
300
Population
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Year
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.
223-0531-10-11
RSPB (rspb-images.com)
BIRDS OF CONSERVATION
CONCERN: RED LIST (historical
population decline)
STAGE ON RECOVERY CURVE:
recovery management
POPULATION TREND: Increasing
THREATS: habitat change and direct
persecution
KEY CONSERVATION DELIVERY
MECHANISMS: species protection,
site protection and translocation
These magnificent birds are the
largest birds of prey in the UK.
Currently, white-tailed eagles are
found only in Scotland, building
nests on coastal cliffs or in trees
that are used for many years,
and hunting mainly fish and
waterbirds in lochs and sea. Local
communities in western Scotland
value and protect the white-tailed
eagles, which attract important
tourist revenue.
White-tailed eagles are territorial,
so locating displaying birds or
signs of nesting behaviour allows
the number of pairs to be
determined. Populations are
quoted in territorial pairs, but the
total population will also include a
proportion of non-breeding birds,
of varying age. Precise figures for
these may not be available.
EXTINCTION OF THE
WHITE-TAILED EAGLE
The RSPB became involved in the late
White-tailed eagles became extinct in
has recovered steadily. As birds
the UK due to the combined effects of
released on Rum started to wander
extensive habitat change and
around the western seaboard of
(particularly in the 19th century)
Scotland, the RSPB was given the
persecution. Before their recent
role of finding, monitoring and
reintroduction, the birds last bred in
protecting newly occupied territories.
1970s, and since then, this population
England in the 1830s, in Ireland in
1898 and in Scotland in 1916. The last
The first reintroduced white-tailed
native bird was shot in Shetland in
eagles bred in 1983, and the first chick
1918. European populations of this
fledged in 1985. However, because
bird also suffered from heavy
white-tailed eagles do not start
persecution, which led to significant
breeding until they are five or six
declines and extinction in several
years old, and productivity is low, the
countries. The recovery of remaining
increase in the population was slow.
populations suffered a further setback
With the numbers so low, there was a
in the decades after the Second World
real risk that chance events could lead
War due to the effects of pesticides
to the reintroduced population
and other pollutants on the
becoming extinct. To minimise the risk
environment.
of the eagles becoming extinct once
more, between 1993 and 1998, a
REINTRODUCTION
further 58 Norwegian eaglets were
Following small-scale releases in
released by Scottish Natural Heritage
Argyll and on Fair Isle, the
(SNH) in Western Ross. There were
government’s Nature Conservancy
46 breeding pairs in Scotland in 2009.
Council initiated a full-scale
programme of releases, bringing 82
While the population remains small,
young birds from Norwegian nests to
the potential impacts of persecution
Rum between 1975 and 1985.
and egg collecting remain high.
At least seven white-tailed eagles
sites may well have taken pressure
increase from their current low levels,
have been killed illegally since the
off nests otherwise vulnerable to
the prospects for a continued
start of the project and at least four
disturbance.
recovery look good, though it will
clutches of eggs have been stolen.
continue to be slow and potential
Nevertheless, as this population is
CONTINUING EFFORTS
effects of long-term changes in
now growing at an estimated 10%
White-tailed eagle work will continue
agriculture and marine fisheries are
per year, it can be considered self-
to be overseen by a project team,
unclear. There is an increasing risk
sustaining and there have been no
consisting of representatives from the
of conflict with wind farm
more releases on the west coast
RSPB statutory conservation
developments, which is compounded
since 1998.
organisations, Forestry Commission
by a continuing lack of protection
Scotland, and invited expertise. The
provided for this species by the
WORKING TOGETHER
RSPB’s contribution to recovery will
designated sites network.
Increasingly close partnership working
continue to be focused on survey and
between the RSPB, government
monitoring, species protection and
Over the next few years, there will be
agencies, police and local
public affairs, in addition to
a need for continued population
communities – combined with the
involvement with reintroduction
monitoring, as well as management
introduction of custodial sentences
programme development in east
of perceived conflicts with vulnerable
for convictions of wildlife crime –
Scotland and England.
agricultural interests. Recolonisation
appears to have neutralised the
of suitable habitat throughout the UK
impact of egg collectors during a
A translocation project began in 2007,
remains a valid long-term aspiration,
critical stage of population growth.
to establish a new population in
and – given enough time – a likely
eastern Scotland, and is due to be
outcome. The speed of this process
Projects on Skye and Mull have raised
completed in 2012. There is still plenty
will depend on the degree of
the profile of white-tailed eagles by
of apparently suitable habitat, which is
intervention felt to be appropriate in
encouraging the public to see the
unoccupied by white-tailed eagles,
order to achieve this aim within a
birds safely. The level of interest
giving scope for population growth.
given timeframe.
shown by visitors has encouraged the
community to value white-tailed
Provided that levels of deliberate
eagles more highly and the public
persecution/egg collecting do not
PARTNERS WE ARE WORKING WITH: Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission Scotland, Mull & Iona Community
Trust, Strathclyde Police, Natural England, the Sea Eagle Project Team, as well as communities and countless individuals
across the species range in Scotland. In Norway: Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management (DN), Norwegian
Institute for Nature Research (NINA), Norwegian Ornithological Society (NOF) and the Norwegian Sea Eagle Project
(Projekt Havsørn).
50
Figure 1 Indicative breeding range
distribution. Maps created by RSPB
Conservation Data Management Unit.
Figure 2 White-tailed eagle population (counted
as territorial pairs) has increased since 1982.
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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.
223-0531-10-11
Jodie Randall (rspb-images.com)
BIRDS OF CONSERVATION
CONCERN: RED LIST (breeding
population decline)
UK BAP SPECIES
STAGE ON RECOVERY CURVE:
trial management (upland), recovery
management (lowland)
POPULATION TREND: declining,
-53% over 25 years
THREATS: loss of mixed farming,
farming intensification, inappropriate
grazing regimes, land drainage,
predation and potential climate
change effects
KEY CONSERVATION DELIVERY
MECHANISMS:
reserves, agri-environment
schemes, site protection and advice
Lapwings are familiar farmland
birds, popular with many people,
and may sometimes also be called
‘peewits’, because of their calls,
or ‘green plovers’. Their wheezing
calls and tumbling flight are
emblematic of lowland wet
meadows, farmland and the
uplands. Our resident birds are
joined each winter by many more
that have spent the summer on
the Continent.
Lapwings nest on the ground,
often in colonies of several pairs.
When eggs or chicks come under
threat from predators, the adults
fly together to mob the intruder.
They form pairs that last through
the breeding season, so
populations are quoted in
breeding pairs. In winter, they
may gather in large flocks on open
fields, often mixed with golden
plovers, and they may turn up
away from their breeding grounds.
Lapwings may be seen
throughout the year on our wet
grassland and upland reserves.
POPULATION DECLINES
some areas, successful rearing of
Their decline appears to be the result
chicks continues to be a problem. This
of changes in their various habitats,
low productivity is of particular
such as historic drainage of wetlands
concern in isolated breeding
and intensification of farming
populations in central, south-west and
methods. This reduction in suitable
south-east England.
habitat has exacerbated the effects of
predation in some locations. Where
MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS
numbers have declined and fewer
Research in the lowlands has focused
pairs are nesting together, the
on studying the best ways to manage
mobbing response of adults to
wet grassland for lapwings. Much of
predation threats on eggs and chicks
this has occurred on RSPB reserves
has become less effective.
and it has included looking at water
level management, the effect of
Populations in many areas are in steep
livestock grazing and trampling, effects
decline, especially in Northern Ireland
of predation and the best ways of
and in Wales, where outside a few key
increasing invertebrate numbers that
areas they are more or less confined
chicks depend on. Trials showed that
to a small number of remaining
prolonged and widespread flooding of
suitable habitat fragments. In some
wet grassland reduced invertebrates in
parts of the UK, lapwings are now
the soil, and the best way to manage
becoming largely restricted to nature
for lapwings on wet grassland is to
reserves.
produce a mosaic of flooded and nonflooded ground, with short vegetation,
We know the right land management
plenty of invertebrates and some
for lapwings can increase numbers on
semi-permanent pools. Grazing is vital
lowland wet grassland. Numbers on
to maintain the optimum sward, but a
the RSPB's principal lowland wet
balance between the correct level of
grassland reserves have increased
grazing and risk of nest trampling must
consistently since 2005. However, in
be struck. This knowledge has been
incorporated into agri-environment
increase uptake of appropriate
abolition of set-aside has the potential
schemes and plans for managing other
agri-environment measures coupled
to reduce habitat available for arable
wet grassland sites. In the uplands,
with advocacy to ensure the
breeding lapwings. Work to secure the
we have been running long-term
appropriate management of fallow,
benefits set-aside delivered is
experiments to test recovery
and replacement to set-aside. On
underway through the Campaign for
measures for lapwings on grassland
upland grassland, we will complete a
the Farmed Environment. This is an
and in-bye habitats. The results of this
series of targeted, well-monitored,
industry led initiative to encourage
study will be used to identify whether
long-term trial management and
farmers to take up Entry-Level
these management prescriptions work
recovery initiatives.
Stewardship and voluntarily leave some
for lapwings, and inform government
land out of production and manage it
schemes that pay farmers for lapwing-
WHAT NEXT?
for the environment, in order to
friendly farming across the UK.
Although we have a good idea how to
mitigate for the loss of set-aside. The
create the best habitat to encourage
RSPB is a key partner in the Campaign
WHAT IS THE RSPB DOING FOR
LAPWINGS?
breeding lapwings on wet grassland
and are working closely with the
reserves, there is still much we don’t
farming industry to ensure the benefits
The extent of wet grassland has
know. For example, we are continuing
provided by set-aside are not lost.
declined and the habitat is now rare in
to research ways of increasing the
some areas. The RSPB has acquired
number of chicks that fledge. Two
CLIMATE CHANGE
lowland wet grassland or land to
approaches are being investigated:
Climate change is an increasingly
create lowland wet grassland to help
creating low-cost, wet patches on drier
important consideration for managing
maintain the lapwing’s range. Some of
areas of land and increasing densities
species. Wetland habitats will be
our lowland wet grassland reserves
of invertebrate food for lapwing chicks.
affected by changes in both the amount
are also used as demonstration sites
and the seasonal timing of rainfall, and
so other land managers can learn how
Lowland wet grassland is still a
maintaining such sites in suitable
to create ideal conditions for lapwings.
threatened habitat. We will continue to
condition will become increasingly
Lowland wet grassland advisory
press for agri-environment schemes
difficult. Our reserves will continue to
projects will continue to focus on
that can secure good management of
play an important role in maintaining
targeted promotion, uptake and
wet grassland sites. Water supply is
lapwing populations in these areas. We
technical support of appropriate high
critical to managing this habitat, and
will use the latest research to identify
quality agri-environment measures.
we will continue to press government
ways in which management can
On arable farmland, RSPB effort will
for action on flood management, water
mitigate the effects of climate change
focus on targeted promotion to
abstraction and water quality. The
on the habitat and food lapwings need.
PARTNERS WE ARE WORKING WITH: Natural England. Specific project will have other partners.
Figure 1 Indicative breeding range
distribution. Maps created by RSPB
Conservation Data Management Unit.
Index ( 1994 = 100)
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60
40
UK
England
Scotland
20
Figure 2 Lapwing populations have
fluctuated since 1994, with worrying
declines particularly in Scotland.
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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.
223-0531-10-11
Steve Round (rspb-images.com)
BIRDS OF CONSERVATION
CONCERN: RED LIST (breeding
population decline)
UK BAP SPECIES
STAGE ON RECOVERY CURVE:
diagnosis
POPULATION TREND: declining,
-62% over 12 years
THREATS: unknown, but could be
linked to changes in habitat or food
availability or problems on
migration or wintering grounds.
KEY CONSERVATION DELIVERY
MECHANISMS: not known
Wood warblers are long distance
summer migrants to the UK,
journeying to sub-saharan Africa in
winter. They have suffered a steep
population decline over recent
decades. Their call, described as a
woodland sound like no other, is
made up of a rapidly accelerating
metallic trill interspersed with
melancholy whistles.
They are typical of our Western
Atlantic Oakwoods and present on
some of our Welsh and Scottish
reserves. They live in open but
shady mature woodlands, and like
sparse ground cover for nesting.
The nest is built on the ground in
low vegetation.
WOODLAND BIRD DECLINES
Evidence suggests British woodlands
Woodland birds are one of the main
and their management have changed in
groups of birds to suffer steep
a range of ways that may have
declines, with migrant species, such
implications for the habitat and food
as the wood warbler, experiencing an
resources birds depend on. Numerous
alarming 60-70% decline. Declines of
complex relationships have been
woodland birds were first noted from
identified between changes in bird
national monitoring schemes and the
populations and environmental
UK Government’s Wild Bird
variables. However, changes in
Populations Framework Indicator.
woodland vegetation structure resulting
More recently, results from the
from cessation of management and the
Repeat Woodland Bird Survey (RWBS)
impact of deer are thought to be the
provide clear pointers on the extent
most likely drivers for many declines.
and causes of the current declines of
Several declining species are also
birds of deciduous woodland.
migrants so threats on wintering
grounds and during migration must also
The RWBS surveyed broadleaved
be considered.
native woods in Great Britain and
identified large declines of nine
In summary, there are a number of
woodland species out of 34 surveyed
possible reasons for woodland bird
(see table 1). All long distance
declines and we are now just beginning
migrants were found to be declining
to understand their relative importance.
as well as resident specialist species.
11 species were increasing and these
THREATS TO WOOD WARBLERS
were all resident generalist species or
The complexity of the problems causing
middle distance migrants. This has led
woodland bird declines has meant that
to seven woodland birds being placed
finding out precise factors has been
on the red list of conservation
difficult and work is still in the early
concern and nine on the amber list.
stages. There are several theories, which
have been developed for wood warblers,
such as changing habitat structure on
earlier peaks in invertebrate numbers,
IN THE FUTURE
breeding grounds, changes in food
which migrant species such as wood
Although we do not yet know all the
availability, climate change and
warbler are not able to arrive in time
causes of woodland bird decline,
problems on wintering grounds.
for. The research is also drawing on
we have produced management
However, it is hard to know whether
historical data from the same sites in
guidelines based on best available
the causes of these declines are
the 1980s, enabling a comparison with
information. We believe that bringing
occurring here in the UK,
the present habitat, breeding ecology
more woodland into appropriate
in sub-saharan Africa or on the
and invertebrate abundance and
management is the correct approach,
migration route.
timings at the sites to establish how
but in a way that is targeted to bird
these factors have changed. If
priorities, woodland type and
RESEARCH
changes to any of these factors are
condition.
The RSPB, in collaboration with the
identified, there could be a link with
Countryside Council for Wales (CCW),
wood warbler population declines.
has been undertaking research into
It is crucial that we continue to
develop detailed research into the
the declines of wood warblers in the
Another possible problem that has
factors causing the declines of
oak woodlands of Wales, particularly
been identified for wood warbler and
woodland birds in the UK, in
focused on RSPB Dinas reserve. The
other upland oak species is a change
conjunction with developing an
project team is intensively studying
in habitat structure, making it less
advocacy approach towards woodland
the breeding ecology of the wood
suitable for nesting. This is the result
management for birds.
warbler, locating and monitoring nests
of increases in the understorey due to
through the breeding season to
lack of grazing and non-native species
identify any problems with
encroachment in some areas of GB.
productivity. Invertebrate abundance is
Trial work to establish the required
also being measured to look at
grazing regime in the upland woods
whether seasonal changes linked to
would help inform management.
climate change have been causing
PARTNERS WE ARE WORKING WITH: Countryside Council for Wales.
Figure 1 Indicative breeding range
distribution. Maps created by RSPB
Conservation Data Management Unit.
Index ( 1994 = 100)
120
Figure 2 Wood warblers have declined rapidly since 1994.
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Year
BBS data presented as smoothed trends.
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.
223-0531-10-11
Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
BIRDS OF CONSERVATION
CONCERN: RED LIST (breeding
population decline)
UK BAP SPECIES
STAGE ON RECOVERY CURVE:
trial management
POPULATION TREND: declining,
-70% between 1983 and 2008
THREATS: intensification of arable
and grassland farming on lowland
habitats and loss of hay meadows
in upland habitat; unknown
factors on migration routes and
wintering grounds
KEY CONSERVATION DELIVERY
MECHANISMS: agri-environment
schemes and advice
Yellow wagtails are delightful birds
that breed mainly in England and
southern and eastern Wales with
small numbers in Scotland and
Northern Ireland. They are summer
visitors, which spend the winter in
sub-Saharan Africa. Traditionally, in
the UK, they have bred in wet
grassland systems, although a
larger proportion of breeding now
occurs on arable farmland. In
pastoral situations, they nest on
the fringes of wetlands, such as
river valleys, lakesides, the upper
levels of saltmarshes, wet
pastures and water meadows.
Yellow wagtails are often spotted
walking or running around cattlegrazed fields, chasing flies and
spiders that are disturbed by the
livestock, and picking these
invertebrates from the ground or
snatching them from the air on
brief flights from the ground or a
perch.
now the most important habitat in
terms of numbers. Recent analysis
of Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data
found that 68% of transects that
recorded yellow wagtails were
primarily on tilled land; only 12% of
transects with records were
dominated by grass.
REASON FOR DECLINES
Due to the extent of its decline, the
yellow wagtail is a BAP priority
species. Numbers have dropped
substantially across the full range of its
breeding habitats; declines of up to
95% have been noted in some upland
areas. As well as the decrease in
numbers, there has been a contraction
Yellow wagtails nest on the
ground. Nests are often
constructed in habitats that
combine dense vegetation for nest
concealment with sparser areas
that allow access to nest sites and
foraging opportunities. In
grasslands, nesting sites can be in
areas where flooding has held
back vegetation growth or grazing
has produced a patchy sward. In
arable areas, the birds will nest in
many sown crops including
cereals, potatoes, legumes and
salad crops.
in range towards the core areas in the
east and south-east of England. As a
long distance migrant, it is possible
that the causes of decline may lie
outside the breeding season, either in
Africa or along migration routes.
However, declines in other resident
species with similar breeding season
requirements have been linked strongly
to agricultural intensification. Drainage,
loss and improvement of wet
grassland, a general switch from hay to
silage, loss of upland hay meadows,
more intensive stocking rates and a
trend to geographical separation of
arable and livestock farming are all
They also breed in a variety of
other habitats, including heathland,
upland areas and, increasingly, in
arable crops, which are probably
likely to factor in the observed
declines.
Recent research on arable nesting
birds in East Anglia found that birds
Within arable farmland, recent research
concentrated in winter cereals.
has highlighted substantial regional
Potatoes were the most favoured
differences in breeding habitat choice,
crop for late season nests. Further
which reflects the availability of
work in the East Midlands showed
different crops. Such differences make
that in the absence of potatoes, pairs
a nationwide approach to finding a
remained in winter cereals throughout
solution through trial management
the season and were equally
problematic. However, providing a mix
successful at raising chicks. Both
of cropped and un-cropped areas is
studies showed that birds are more
likely to be beneficial. Birds will make
likely to nest close to tramlines
good use of fallow areas for foraging.
(tractor wheelings) in cereal crops,
Both fallow plots and skylark patches
and that they suffer a higher degree of
are likely to benefit birds nesting in
predation because of this preference.
arable land dominated by winter crops.
Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
nesting early in the season were
Both studies also found that pairs
nesting in beans – also a preferred
Ongoing studies centred on African
crop – had a very high failure rate due
wintering grounds and migration routes
to predation.
may provide evidence about potential
problems outside the breeding season
SEEKING SOLUTIONS
that affect yellow wagtails’ survival and
In grassland systems, maintenance
hence breeding season recruitment.
and restoration of extensively
managed wet grasslands should be a
PROJECT WORK
priority to help yellow wagtails. In
Conservation work has included
upland situations, traditionally
surveying existing areas of fallow land
managed hay meadows are all-
in arable areas, created under agri-
important. Agri-environment advice
environment schemes, to assess their
should focus on maintaining cutting
effectiveness at producing suitable
dates as late as possible within the
habitat. Management techniques to
breeding season and encouraging hay
produce areas of fallow land within
instead of silage wherever possible.
crops have also been trialled. Analysis
of this work is ongoing.
PARTNERS WE ARE WORKING WITH: University of East Anglia, Natural England, the BTO and the Yorkshire Dales National
Park Authority. Specific projects will have other partners.
Figure 2 BBS trend shows that yellow wagtail has
declined dramatically over the last 25 years.
Population trend relative to 2007
Figure 1 Indicative breeding range
distribution in the UK. Map created by RSPB
Conservation Data Management Unit.
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1980
1985
1990
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Year
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England and Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654.
223-0531-10-11