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Red-necked phalarope BAP report
Small numbers breed on the Western and Northern Isles of Scotland
What are we trying to achieve?
The Government agreed a Biodiversity Action Plan for this species in 1998. The targets for this plan were revised in 2006 and are as follows:
- Maintain the red-necked phalarope as a breeding species in the UK, with at least 35breeding males by 2010
- Ensure that breeding red-necked phalarope occur at 10 sites in any one year
- Ensure that 26 available sites are in suitable condition for breeding phalarope
The red-necked phalarope is one of the UK's rarest breeding waders and is on the southern-most edge of its range. It has always been mainly confined to the Northern and Western Isles but with a fluctuating and now extinct population in Southern Ireland.
During the 1990s numbers of breeding males increased in Shetland using sites newly created by RSPB. Numbers peaked in 1996 at 38-41 pairs and then collapsed so that there were only 14-15 males in 2001. The numbers of breeding males subsequently increased to a high in 2005 when the UK population was estimated at 39-40 breeding males. There appears to have been a decline in 2006 with the estimated population now 31 breeding males. Factors responsible for these population fluctuations are not yet clearly understood. This species is a long distance migrant and spends much of its time away from the breeding site in a currently unknown wintering area.
What is the RSPB doing to help?
- About 85% of the UK red-necked phalarope population breed on sites managed by the RSPB
- We are working with Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), crofters and other local land managers to ensure appropriate habitat management at all suitable and potentially suitable sites
- We are undertaking further research into the preferred breeding conditions for red-necked phalarope
- We are identifying new sites where it is appropriate to create suitable breeding habitat and we are continuing to undertake restoration of suitable habitat at previously used sites
- We have restored open water pools at Balranald, North Uist and provided viewing facilities at Loch na Muilne on the island of Lewis
- On existing sites, we are implementing vegetation management and hydrological control to maintain a mosaic of emergent vegetation, tussocky sedge beds and pools of open water, both in the Northern Isles and in the Hebrides
- All sites are under surveillance by RSPB staff and local residents to protect against egg theft
Summary of progress
Numbers appear to have been significantly higher, particularly on the Western Isles, Orkney and, possibly, the Scottish mainland in the 19th century. In more recent years numbers have fluctuated. There appears to be no association between breeding success in one year and population size the following year.
The precise cause of declines is uncertain, but is likely to include climatic factors during the migration period, and factors operating during the non-breeding period in addition to site quality during the breeding season. RSPB actions will focus on habitat management on reserves and other sites, species protection and further research to improve recovery measures.
Good progress has been made towards the RSPB's work plan. In recent years, the biological progress towards the BAP targets has improved also, and despite the apparent decline in breeding males in 2006, the number of available sites and sites being used continues to increase. There is still apparently a surplus of suitable breeding habitat in Shetland and the Hebrides – sites that look to be in good status are not being used. In 2006 breeding attempts were made on 11 Shetland sites and 5 Hebridean sites, an increase on the previous year.
Has our work been effective?
Partly. Principal sites on Shetland are managed by the RSPB, and these sites would probably be in less favourable condition without RSPB involvement. However, the total numbers at these sites fluctuate for reasons not associated with management at the site. We have created and restored suitable breeding habitat and are able to maintain it in favourable condition, but we still do not know the main factors that effect population size each year. We maintain a profile at breeding sites and will continue to actively combat the threat from egg collectors.
What do we plan to do next
We will:
- Continue to manage RSPB sites for red-necked phalarope and seek additional management agreements for current and previously used sites
- Seek to influence land management around consistently used sites in the Hebrides
- Continue to monitor productivity in the Northern Isles and Hebrides
- Continue to develop links with our Birdlife Partners in Iceland to combine research on red-necked phalarope ecology and productivity
What are the constraints to fully achieving the targets?
The precise causes of population fluctuation are uncertain, but are likely to include climatic factors, edge of range effects and factors operating during the non-breeding period as well as site quality during the breeding season. Egg collection could still be a major factor in reducing the UK breeding population, if it were to continue unchecked.
Last modified: 03 September 2007