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When we started the Bird of Prey Campaign last year and invited people to sign up to a pledge to stamp out the senseless killing of these beautiful animals we knew that it would capture many people’s attention.

But we weren’t quite expecting it to become the stuff of the tabloid celebrity gossip columns.

Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio was spotted recently by The Sun watching peregrines at an RSPB viewing point at the Tate Modern in London. He was so taken with the graceful falcons that he signed our pledge and added another name to the list of the campaign’s supporters.

But Leo is not the only celeb who is appalled at the treatment of birds of prey and wants the killing to stop. The pledge has also been signed by Lionel Blair, Rory McGrath and Nick Cave. Now that lot would make a strange dinner party, wouldn’t they?

So if you want to join the illustrious list of people who have signed the pledge then click here and add your name right away!

Wildlife Lesson Number 1,574: If you’re looking for a reliable animal, try a snake. 

Trying to tell stories about wildlife can be frustrating at times – especially when the little critters in question don’t bother to turn up when required. Inviting journalists to our reserves to see some of the creature we’re trying to protect is always a gamble – and it can be embarrassing when they go away empty handed.

Such worries were preying on my mind when I met up with the reporter and cameraman from BBC Breakfast this week to film the capture of some smooth snakes – Britain’s rarest reptile.

We arrived at a patch of heathland near Bournemouth yesterday to search for some of the elusive animals, which were destined to be released 100 miles away at a secret location in Devon. The non-venomous, and very timid, smooth snake was last seen in Devon 50 years ago and the relocation project is a joint effort between ourselves and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust.

With the camera rolling we began lifting the corrugated iron strips which had been laid down for the snakes to shelter under. Amazingly within minutes we had our first slithery specimen and a couple more followed soon afterwards. In fact in less than an hour tramping about the heath I managed to tick off two thirds of the UK’s native reptile species (smooth snake, grass snake, slowworm and common lizard – I still need an adder and a sand lizard to complete my list).

If you caught the slot on BBC One this morning then you will have seen a short film of us gathering up the snakes accompanied by Bow Wow Wow’s 80s New Wave classic Where’s My Snake, followed, live on air, by their release into their new heathland home.

The story was a great way to get across the plight of our lowland heathland – a habitat more endangered than the rainforest – and also remind people that the RSPB ain’t just about birds.

So next time I’m wandering despondently across a boggy marsh with an expectant camera crew in tow praying for the arrival of some wildlife – any wildlife – for them to film, I’ll cast my mind back with a wistful sigh to the wonderful little smooth snake who always turns up when you need him.

P.S We hope you like our newly refurbished blog page. If you click on the link below than you can bookmark this post on social news sites like Delicious, Digg and Stumbleupon and help us spread the word about what the RSPB is doing to save wildlife.

Are we being invaded?

It does seem so, from reading the papers recently. There have been quite a few stories in the news in recent weeks about invasive non-native species.  The most famous of these is the grey squirrel, but we’ve also been hearing about crayfish, mittened crabs and, ahem, ‘killer’ chipmunks.

For a conservation organisation this certainly a tricky issue. We tracked down the RSPB’s expert on the issue, Paul Walton, to get to the bottom of the matter. Here’s what he had to say…

It is one of the least understood of ecological issues - yet it is one of the main ways that humanity impacts the natural world: the introduction of non-native species.

A huge number of living species – perhaps as much as half of global biodiversity – owes its very existence to the fact that the world is effectively divided-up by physical barriers that stop different ecosystems and ecological communities from mixing.

These barriers are the oceans, mountain ranges, deserts, rain-shadows and currents. They have forced evolution to operate independently in different parts of the world, producing diverse and regionally characteristic floras and faunas - giving us, for example, tigers as forest cats in Asia, but jaguars as forest cats in South America. The effect runs right through the living world.

People, however, have a long history of moving animals and plants around the globe and – either deliberately or inadvertently – allowing them to establish in new areas. This effectively breaks down these geographical barriers to species movements. Free from native predators, pathogens and competitors, the new non-native arrivals often flourish and sometimes – all too often – create severe problems for native wildlife. Islands and freshwater lakes are particularly vulnerable.

The introduction, by people, of mammal species – particularly cats and rats – on islands has probably been the biggest single cause of bird species extinctions over the past 3 centuries. Moreover, with the growth of international trade and the effects of climate change, the problem is set to intensify.

RSPB staff keep a keen eye out for potentially damaging non-native species on our nature reserves, particularly aquatic plants that have escaped from gardens and can have devastating impacts on wetland habitats. We have, moreover, been closely involved with constructing policy and legislation on non-native species issues, both nationally and internationally. We do not advocate the ‘demonisation’ of non-native species, nor the eradication of every plant or animal brought to the UK by people: some non-native species do not have a direct detectable effect on native wildlife, and some species are too well established for any realistic practical response. However, where native wildlife is threatened, and where a practical response is possible, we do promote effective and humane measures to protect species and habitats from damage or extinction.

The principal aim is to improve our ability to prevent damaging introductions before they happen - always better than a 'cure' - and then to establish a rapid response capacity and effective control mechanisms for damaging non-native species that do become established.

We will continue to help develop and implement the government’s GB Non-native Species Strategy, and we are pressing for effective EU legislation on non-native species. Currently national legislation is patchy and inconsistent across the EU, and we need to bring all Member States to a minimum standard in this regard: if any one country allows the preventable establishment of damaging non-native species, wildlife across the whole European Community is then put at risk.

Just a quick one - to give you a gentle nudge in the direction of a little film we made the other day.

Barn owl chicks have hatched for the first time at the RSPB's Hope Farm - in a box donated to us by the National Farmers' Union.

We had a lovely afternoon down on the farm recently watching the chicks getting ringed and weighed along with our director of conservation Mark Avery and the NFU president Peter Kendall. We took a video camera along and you can read the full story and watch the short film we made here.

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Our Head of Climate Change Policy, Ruth Davis, found much to celebrate in the Government’s plans for a transition to a low carbon economy. Here are her thoughts:

I very much hope today’s announcement marks a watershed in the long, hard battle to tackle dangerous climate change.

It would be a truly grudging climateer who was not delighted by Government’s commitment to a real renewable energy revolution, while seeking to safeguard our natural environment. It is hugely welcome.

The RSPB will be urging all parties to build on this strong foundation in the years to come. This is an area where consensus is precious and hard-won.

There was much more to chew on in the plans announced today however, and we now have a chance to consider whether those plans match up to the scale and urgency of the crisis.

The big question is whether the ambition matches the science of climate change. The answer, sadly, is not yet. The UK needs to halve emissions by 2020 if we are to do our bit in keeping the global temperature increase to 2 degrees. The figure in today’s announcement was 34 per cent.

So, apart from the good news on renewable energy, how do the plans for other parts of our economy measure up?

On energy efficiency, the piloting of 'pay as you save' green mortgages for homes is welcome, but then energy efficiency is a no-brainer; the one area that is all gain, no pain. We simply need lots more, much faster.

On the future of the electricity sector, reforming the regulator Ofgem is very welcome as are plans to ensure fast grid connections for renewable energy. However, there is still no clear vision for future power. Firms will continue building high-carbon power plants unless they know these have a limited life span in a low-carbon UK.

The Committee on Climate Change recommended an almost zero-carbon power sector by 2030. Government are promising us ‘a 2020-2030 route-map’. By the time it is drawn up, new coal plants could have already locked us into a high carbon future. All parties need to push urgently for an emissions performance standard, to drive long-term emission reductions in the power sector.

On transport, the Government focussed on vehicle efficiency and electrification - measures the RSPB has championed as an alterative to environmentally destructive biofuels. Yet, on the same day, we and others boycotted a party marking the anniversary of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation - a wrong-headed policy which promotes the inefficient use of those biofuels. It is time to say clearly that biofuels are not a technology of the future.

The rainforests are being systematically destroyed, Sumatran tigers are being hunted to extinction and the oceans are being overfished into oblivion – but at least we’re looking after the wildlife in our little corner of the planet.

Or are we?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that destruction of species and habitats only happens ‘out there’. But a new study suggests that we’ve got problems on our own doorstep that we can’t ignore.

It’s the most comprehensive study of wildlife protection that has ever been carried out in Europe and it makes for grim reading. The European Commission report released this week assesses the state of more than 1,000 threatened species and hundreds of vital habitats across the 25 member states of the European Union.

The report concludes that wildlife in North West Europe – northern Portugal to western Denmark, via the UK -  is in a perilous position. In fact in Britain alone only six per cent of threatened habitats and just 23 per cent of threatened species are deemed to be in ‘favourable condition’.

An example of is the fact that the UK has lost three quarters of its lowland heathland – home to nightjars, natterjack toads and smooth snakes. We’re left with an area a third the size of Dorset – and this makes up 20 per cent of all the world’s lowland heathland.

As well as the same threats conservationists have been concerned about for decades – agriculture, pollution and development – there’s also the new spectre of climate change which is emerging as a growing danger to wildlife.

We can read this report as a big fat ‘could do better’ scrawled in red ink across our countryside – and perhaps it will make us realise that if we ant to save the world we can start right here in our own backyard.

We’ve been shouting all the great things that come from volunteering from the rooftops for a long time.

Mental and physical well being, the chance to make new friends and learn new things not least. And of course there is the small matter of protecting wildlife and nature at the same time.

So the Government’s new effort to get families, children, grandparents and anyone who wants to volunteer outdoors in the fresh air to help the world around them is music to our ears.

Muck In4Life is the name of the Government’s exciting new environmental volunteering campaign and the RSPB is pleased to be a major partner.

Encouraging people to help look after wildlife, landscapes, parks, gardens and other green spaces to enhance animals and nature ties in perfectly with our own aims, and with volunteers at the heart of we do at the RSPB, any opportunity to entice more people to do the same is imperative.

RSPB volunteers carry out a huge range of tasks from planting trees and surveying wildlife to ensuring visitors have a great time at nature reserves and Dates With Nature projects.

All their work contributes directly to caring for nature and wildlife and the Muck In4life campaign is an extension of this. It is hoped that the media coverage and government focus on the campaign will mean even more interest in volunteering for organisations like the RSPB.

So if you hear a nudge from much-loved actress Caroline Quentin on one of the radio ads she is fronting across the country, or read an article while having your cup of tea in the morning, have a think about joining in.

You could even find yourself enjoying that cup of tea on a stunning nature reserve, admiring an area of woodland you helped clear or a hide you helped build. And it really doesn’t get much better than that…

Yesterday the Government made a decision which could have a major long term effect on the populations of some of England’s best loved birds.

It’s not immediately obvious how European butter mountains relate to skylarks but bear with me here and I’ll explain.

The butter mountains were just one result of surplus food production in the 1980s. In response the government began paying farmers to take some of their land out of production – the set aside policy. One unintended effect of this policy was that farmland birds like skylarks, yellowhammers and linnets found a rich habitat across the countryside in amongst the unharvested pockets of land.

But food prices have risen in recent years heralding an end to set aside – and an end to the valuable nesting and feeding spots they provided. In response the Government began pondering what farmers could do to replace the environmental benefits of set aside – and stirred up a major debate which has been raging across the countryside for months.

Yesterday at the Royal Show environment minister Hilary Benn announced that farmers would not have compulsory environmental measures placed on them in order to carry on receiving subsidies – instead a voluntary scheme will be introduced.

Now the RSPB did support a compulsory approach and we were engaged in a healthy debate with the National Farmers’ Union on the issue. But now the dust has settled and the decision has been made, we’re gearing up to join forces with farmers to make this scheme work.

Farmers provide an essential habitat for wildlife in this country and there are measures they can put in place which can make a real difference for UK birds – we’re now relishing the challenge of helping them do just that.

Ten thousand, three hundred and forty seven. That's the number of people who logged on and added their names to our call for an end to the killing of birds of prey in just two days.

It could have been more. Such was the volume of traffic, the website had a bit of a wobble. Maybe you are one of those who tried to add your name and couldn't. If so, please try again. The website is now working and the names keep on coming.

What prompted such a response? It was the news that this year looks like being one of the worst on record for crimes against peregrines.

It is all happening: Trapping, poisoning, shooting, theft of chicks, nest disturbance. We have had at least 50 reports already this year and we certainly do not get to hear about everything that happens. Perhaps no one does.

We got to hear about the one in the picture because it was found by one of our staff in Gloucestershire. An x-ray found 11 fragments of shot in its body.

A dead peregrine is a deeply depressing sight. You can see the wasted potential in every feather. I make no apologies for showing this picture, because people need to know this goes on, that this is a 21st century horror. When people realise that, they get angry. They want it to stop.

Their reaction proves those responsible are the selfish few and that we, the many, will not stand for it. If enough of us say it loudly enough then those with the power to make it stop will not be able to ignore us.

Help us to be nature's voice. Sign the pledge.

The Sustainable Development Commission may not quite have the snappiest name in history – but they do have one or two decent ideas up their sleeve.

The SDC – to give them their obligatory three letter acronym – is holding an event in London today(Wednesday July 1) hosted by broadcasters Jonathan Dimbleby and Anna Ford. The SDC’s job is to advise the government on how they can run the country without destroying the planet at the same time – and their latest advice is to kick our kids out onto the street.

Well not the street exactly, and not forever. Just long enough for them to discover that there’s a wonderful world out there and it beats TVs and computer games hands down.

The event in London – which is being attended by Prince Charles and a host of top education decision makers - will be a platform for the unveiling of the SDC’s latest big idea – outdoor learning for our children. They want outdoor experiences with nature to be part of the curriculum.

We think it’s a great idea - and that’s not just because we’re chuffed that they’ve chosen our education centre at Rainham Marshes in Essex as an example of a place where schoolkids are having amazing wildlife experiences every day.

Last week was Child Safety Week across the UK. Now of course, we all want our children to be safe. But when keeping them safe means cooping them up behind closed doors and in front of screens rather than discovering and exploring the amazing wildlife outside our windows then our alarm bells start to ring.

We love wildlife – that’s why we’re here. And we want to pass on that passion to a new generation so that when we hand the environmental baton on to them they can follow in our footsteps by protecting and caring for it.