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Projects
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Wessex stone-curlew project
The vast, rolling chalk downland of the Wessex region and its associated farmland has more than its fair share of wonderful farmland birds, one of which is the summer migrant - the stone-curlew (Burrhinius oedicnemus). This most peculiar of wading-like birds - characterised by its large, staring yellow eyes and bright yellow legs, skulking behaviour and wailing cry - has its second largest stronghold in this area. Farmland and military training areas, such as Salisbury Plain and Porton Down, are home to nearly a third of the UK’s breeding population, the remainder being found in the Brecks of East Anglia. BackgroundThe RSPB’s Wessex stone-curlew recovery project, co-funded by English Nature's Species Recovery Programme, began in the 1980s, aimed at bolstering the breeding population in the UK, which had declined to around 130 breeding pairs in the 1960s from 1,300 breeding pairs recorded during the 1900s. The national range in which they were found had also shrunk by about 85% during this time. Since its inception, the project has significantly contributed to increased numbers of breeding stone-curlews in the region, through nest protection measures and habitat creation. The problemThe historical change in agricultural practices has resulted in the decline of suitable habitat, such as grazed chalk grassland and fallow areas, which are the kinds of habitat most favoured by the stone-curlew for breeding. Subsequently, their numbers have dwindled since the late 1800s, with an all time low in the mid-1980s. Thankfully, the use of land for military training has ensured that some large areas of suitable habitat remain in the Wessex region. Centred on and around these areas, the stone-curlew breeding population has persisted and these areas provide the catalyst for the RSPB’s recovery project in Wessex. What are we doing?By working closely with partner organisations, such as the MoD, Defra and English Nature, the RSPB has been instrumental in creating more habitat that is suitable for breeding stone-curlews, both on military land and within the wider farming landscape. The RSPB has achieved a significant increase in breeding stone-curlews across Wessex, through the creation of nesting plots for stone-curlews under existing agri-environment schemes and on set-aside. As lead partner of the Salisbury Plain LIFE project, aimed at improving management for nature conservation on military areas, the RSPB has been able to work with other conservation organisations and the local farming community to influence improvements to on-going habitat management and the ecosytem as a whole. Is it working?The stone-curlew national breeding population is on target to reach the number required under the species UK's Biodiversity Action Plan (300 breeding pairs by 2010), the figure for Wessex in 2004 being 93 breeding pairs. Despite this, the stone-curlew remains listed as a 'red' category bird of conservation concern due to its national population being fewer than 300 breeding pairs and because of its localised (ie restricted) population. Red listing is the highest conservation priority, with those species needing urgent action. The success story of the Wessex stone-curlew recovery project is on-going, and with each summer, we look forward to being able to enhance the breeding success of stone-curlews in the region and the rest of the UK. Last modified: 11 June 2004 | Back to basicsBird guide |
Minsmere RSPB Reserve, general view of Boomacre Mere - David Tipling (rspb-images.com)
Hummingbird hawkmoth - Steve Round
Tree sparrow perched on branch in woodland - Sue Tranter (rspb-images.com, Ref: 1018091)