WhatWhat is the RSPB?is the RSPB?• The RSPB is Europe’s largest wildlife conservation charity The RSPB is Europe’s largest wildlife conservation charity

(over a million members), working for the conservation of (over a million members), working for the conservation of biodiversity – especially wild birds and their habitatsbiodiversity – especially wild birds and their habitats

• Founded in 1889, and since it’s original campaign to end Founded in 1889, and since it’s original campaign to end the plumage trade (a success), it broadened it’s horizons the plumage trade (a success), it broadened it’s horizons involving the protection of wildlife and habitatsinvolving the protection of wildlife and habitats.

• FALCONRY – RSPB accepts falconry as a traditional FALCONRY – RSPB accepts falconry as a traditional sport but still works to protect against harm towards wild sport but still works to protect against harm towards wild birds. birds.

• ANIMAL WELFARE – The RSPB does not run bird ANIMAL WELFARE – The RSPB does not run bird hospitals to deal with sick or injured birds – it recognises hospitals to deal with sick or injured birds – it recognises that these issues are catered for by charities such as that these issues are catered for by charities such as RSPCA and SSPCA. RSPCA and SSPCA.

• FIELD SPORTS – only works against these if wildlife FIELD SPORTS – only works against these if wildlife conservation is affected. For instance the RSPB has conservation is affected. For instance the RSPB has worked with the GAME CONSERVANCY TRUST to try worked with the GAME CONSERVANCY TRUST to try and halt the rapid decline of grey partridge populations.and halt the rapid decline of grey partridge populations.

ReservesReserves

• RSPB holds reserves in all four RSPB holds reserves in all four countries of the British Isles, with countries of the British Isles, with 62 alone in England62 alone in England

• These areas are occupied by These areas are occupied by everything from sheer seabird cliffs, everything from sheer seabird cliffs, dense reedbeds, dry southern dense reedbeds, dry southern heathland, peaty moors and wet heathland, peaty moors and wet grassy flood meadows.grassy flood meadows.

• These reserves have sprung up These reserves have sprung up during rising conflicts between during rising conflicts between wildlife/habitats and pressures from wildlife/habitats and pressures from building, land drainage and building, land drainage and changing farming methodschanging farming methods

ConservationConservation

• The RSPB prioritises bird species protection according to the latest population The RSPB prioritises bird species protection according to the latest population

figures recorded in figures recorded in Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) – Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) – published in 1996.published in 1996. • 146 species in BoCC are placed into either the :146 species in BoCC are placed into either the :

• RED LISTRED LIST – 36 species of high conservation concern - these are globally threatened – 36 species of high conservation concern - these are globally threatened or in rapid decline in the UK currently or historically.or in rapid decline in the UK currently or historically.

• AMBER LISTAMBER LIST – 110 species of medium conservation concern - in moderate decline, – 110 species of medium conservation concern - in moderate decline, rare, localised, internationally important or of an unfavourable conservation status rare, localised, internationally important or of an unfavourable conservation status in Europe.in Europe.

• All other regularly occurring UK species appear on the All other regularly occurring UK species appear on the Green list.Green list.

• The most important sites for birds around the country are known as IBAs The most important sites for birds around the country are known as IBAs (Important Bird Areas). (Important Bird Areas). Within Europe alone there have been 3,619 IBAs identified Within Europe alone there have been 3,619 IBAs identified through sponsorship from the RSPB.through sponsorship from the RSPB.

What are the red & amber What are the red & amber lists?lists?

Amber listAmber listExamples ofExamples of Criteria:Criteria:

• Moderately declining species – Moderately declining species – breeding population declined by 25-breeding population declined by 25-49% between 1970 and 1995.49% between 1970 and 1995.

• Species breeding in internationally Species breeding in internationally important numbers – species for important numbers – species for which 20% or more of the European which 20% or more of the European population breeds in the UKpopulation breeds in the UK

• Localised species – species for which Localised species – species for which more than half of the non-breeding more than half of the non-breeding population is found at 10 or fewer population is found at 10 or fewer sites.sites.

Red listRed list• The RSPB is undertaking recovery The RSPB is undertaking recovery

programmes for many of these birds programmes for many of these birds who are part of the red list because who are part of the red list because they are in greatest need of urgent they are in greatest need of urgent conservation action.conservation action.

Examples of Criteria: Examples of Criteria:

• Breeding population declined by 50% Breeding population declined by 50% or more between 1970 and 1995.or more between 1970 and 1995.

• Species that are globally threatened. Species that are globally threatened.

• Localised species which more than Localised species which more than half of the non-breeding population is half of the non-breeding population is found at 10 or fewer sites.found at 10 or fewer sites.

ResearchResearchIn this the RSPB is working on the following In this the RSPB is working on the following

topics:topics:

• The impact of climate change on wildlifeThe impact of climate change on wildlife

• AcidificationAcidification – the thinning of egg shells due – the thinning of egg shells due to acid depositionto acid deposition

• The indirect effects of pesticidesThe indirect effects of pesticides – the – the reduction of insects that feed birdsreduction of insects that feed birds

• Agricultural intensification, both arable and Agricultural intensification, both arable and pastoralpastoral – reduction of habitats – reduction of habitats

• Overgrazing on the uplands of BritainOvergrazing on the uplands of Britain

• The impact of shell-fisheries on populationsThe impact of shell-fisheries on populations

• The role of predationThe role of predation

• Introduced speciesIntroduced species

• among other things!among other things!

For Example:For Example:

• There has been a decline of Song thrush numbers by 66% since 1972 on There has been a decline of Song thrush numbers by 66% since 1972 on UK farmland and 39% on British woodland.UK farmland and 39% on British woodland.

• Research has been carried out by the RSPB by radio-tracking to study Research has been carried out by the RSPB by radio-tracking to study the habitat requirements of breeding song thrushes:the habitat requirements of breeding song thrushes:

– E.g. On arable farmland song thrushes show seasonal changes in E.g. On arable farmland song thrushes show seasonal changes in habitat locations.habitat locations.

– During spring they prefer grassland and ditches for earthworms. As During spring they prefer grassland and ditches for earthworms. As these dry out in summer the thrushes are forced to forage in the few these dry out in summer the thrushes are forced to forage in the few remaining ditches around cultivated fields.remaining ditches around cultivated fields.

– Their study in mixed farmland showed that thrushes were able to Their study in mixed farmland showed that thrushes were able to continue feeding in areas of damp grassland and woodland continue feeding in areas of damp grassland and woodland throughout the long breeding season.throughout the long breeding season.

Fieldwork MethodsFieldwork Methods

• Catching and marking adult birdsCatching and marking adult birds

• Finding their nestsFinding their nests

• Weighing and marking nestlingsWeighing and marking nestlings

• Measuring nesting success and Measuring nesting success and understanding causes of nest understanding causes of nest failurefailure

• Following adults to see where they Following adults to see where they forage - sometimes with radio tagsforage - sometimes with radio tags

• Measuring surrounding habitats Measuring surrounding habitats and food (e,g seeds, insects)and food (e,g seeds, insects)

• Analysing chick faecal remains to Analysing chick faecal remains to determine dietdetermine diet

• Counting the number of potential Counting the number of potential predators.predators.

SolutionsSolutions- Encouragement of mixed farmland.Encouragement of mixed farmland.

- The creation of new woodlands on existing farmland, as long as The creation of new woodlands on existing farmland, as long as resulting forest is managed sympathetically for wildlife. Grants resulting forest is managed sympathetically for wildlife. Grants for woodland creation are available for farmers various schemes.for woodland creation are available for farmers various schemes.

- The RSPB is calling for a pesticide strategy capable of delivering The RSPB is calling for a pesticide strategy capable of delivering measurable reductions in pesticide impacts.measurable reductions in pesticide impacts.

- The tradition of crop rotation to prevent the use of fertilisers, The tradition of crop rotation to prevent the use of fertilisers, insecticides, pesticides and a new threat from genetically modified insecticides, pesticides and a new threat from genetically modified crops that produce their own insecticide (‘insect resistant’) crops that produce their own insecticide (‘insect resistant’)

ReservesReserves

• The Arne Nature Reserve – The Arne Nature Reserve – The RSPB run many reserves, or The RSPB run many reserves, or sponsor many reserves around the country. One of these is the sponsor many reserves around the country. One of these is the Arne in Wareham, Dorset.Arne in Wareham, Dorset.

• Much of it’s flora and fauna are restricted only to this habitat.Much of it’s flora and fauna are restricted only to this habitat.

• The reserve is an internationally important wintering site for The reserve is an internationally important wintering site for waders and wildfowlwaders and wildfowl

• The reserve also includes saltmarsh, mudflats and open water to The reserve also includes saltmarsh, mudflats and open water to provide for Brent grouse, black-tailed godwits and other wintering provide for Brent grouse, black-tailed godwits and other wintering birds.birds.