Conservation

Birds

Birds

The RSPB is Lead Partner for 25 bird species. We coordinate work on the conservation of these species to meet specific targets set out in their BAPs.

Last modified: 10 September 2007

Aquatic warbler BAP report

The aquatic warbler is a globally threatened species. It occurs in the UK on passage in small numbers. There is limited scope for conservation action for this species in the UK other than ensuring that the places it uses on passage are adequately protected and suitable habitat is maintained. More...

Adult aquatic warbler

Bittern BAP report

The Government agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for bitterns in 1995. The RSPB is actively contributing to the targets for bitterns through work on its own nature reserves, by carrying out research and through advice to other site managers. More...

Bittern wading in reedbed

Black grouse BAP report

The Government agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1999. Work continues to understand the factors affecting the black grouse and these pages outline current work and progress so far. More...

Black grouse displaying at lek at the RSPB Abernethy Forest nature reserve

Bullfinch BAP report

Between 1994 and 2002, bullfinch numbers declined in the UK by a statistically significant 26% according to the Breeding Bird Survey. The Government agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for bullfinches in 1998. More...

Male bullfinch on frosty branch eating guelder rose berries

Capercaillie BAP report

It is apparent that there is a very real risk of extinction for this species from the UK and urgent action must be taken. The Government agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for capercaillie in 1995. More...

Male capercaillie displaying in Caledonian pine forest

Cirl bunting BAP report

The Government originally agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. A full survey in 2003 showed that the population had increased to almost 700 pairs, continuing the upward trend since 1996. The RSPB began a translocation programme in 2006. More...

Male cirl bunting perched on branch in winter

Common scoter BAP report

The common scoter is a nationally threatened waterfowl species whose small UK breeding population has declined in range by more than 50% in the last 25 years. The Government originally agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. More...

Flock of common scoters on sea

Corn bunting BAP report

The Government first agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for corn buntings in 1998. The RSPB is making a substantial contribution to the UK BAP for corn buntings and other farmland birds through research, advocacy and advisory work. More...

Corn bunting perching on twig

Corncrake BAP report

The Government initially agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1995. The RSPB has been undertaking a programme of detailed work on corncrake for a number of years, in partnership with with several other organisations, including a trial reintroduction into south-east England. More...

Pair of corncrakes among horsetails, Tiree, Scotland

Linnet BAP report

The Government originally agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. The RSPB is making a substantial contribution to the UK BAP for linnets and other farmland birds through research, advocacy and advisory work. More...

Linnet

Marsh warbler BAP report

The marsh warbler is a summer migrant and an uncommon breeder, which formerly bred in southern England, in scattered locations, but with a stronghold in Worcestershire. The Government originally agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. More...

Marsh warbler singing, Sweden

Nightjar BAP report

The Government originally agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998, for which the RSPB is joint lead partner with Forest Enterprise. More...

Nightjar on ground among heather

Red-backed shrike BAP report

The red-backed shrike has declined considerably in recent years and is now only a sporadic breeding species in the UK. The Government originally agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. More...

Male red-backed shrike

Red-necked phalarope BAP report

The red-necked phalarope is one of the UK's rarest breeding waders and is on the southern-most edge of its range here. The Government first agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. More...

Male red-necked phalarope wading

Reed bunting BAP report

The Government first agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. The RSPB is making a substantial contribution to the UK BAP for reed bunting and other farmland birds through research, advocacy and advisory work. More...

Male reed bunting singing from perch in hawthorn bush

Roseate tern BAP report

The roseate tern is one of our rarest seabirds. The Government initially agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. More...

Roseate tern pair performing courtship display

Scottish crossbill BAP report

The Scottish crossbill is a globally threatened species. The Government first agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1995. More...

Pair of Scottish crossbills at nest

Skylark BAP report

Although the skylark is the commonest and most widespread member of the lark family, it declined in the UK by 61% in the 25 years between 1975 and 2000 and by 13% between 1994 and 2005. The Government first agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for skylarks in 1995. More...

Skylark in a field of buttercups

Song thrush BAP report

Between 1974 and 2003, song thrushes declined by 50% in the UK. The Government first agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1995. More...

Song thrush singing from branch

Spotted flycatcher BAP report

The Government originally agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. The RSPB commissioned a full research study which will try to find out why the population is declining and propose prescriptive solutions. More...

Spotted flycatcher

Stone-curlew BAP report

The Government agreed targets for stone-curlew conservation, which resulted in the RSPB carrying out a wide range of work to help the stone-curlew. More...

Adult stone-curlew in a game-cover crop

Tree sparrow BAP report

The Government originally agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. The RSPB is making a substantial contribution to the UK Biodiversity Action Plan for tree sparrows and other farmland birds through research, advocacy and advisory work. More...

Adult tree sparrow perched on small branch

Turtle dove BAP report

The Government first agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for turtle doves in 1998. The RSPB helps this species through advocacy work, seeking to inform agricultural policy and practice through the application of research and monitoring information. More...

Turtle dove in rough grassland

Woodlark BAP report

The Government originally agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for woodlarks in 1998. The RSPB has worked to restore lowland heathland to provide breeding sites for woodlarks. More...

Woodlark perched on stump

Wryneck BAP report

The wryneck has declined considerably in recent years and is no longer a regular breeding species in the UK. The Government first agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. More...

Wryneck