Case studies

Our ambition is not just to halt the decline in populations of priority species, but also to achieve a recovery.

These case studies show how we have been doing this for species that might otherwise have been lost from the UK, or that are back after many years of absence. We aim to show how we translate careful species planning into real action on the ground.

Last modified: 21 September 2005

Bittern

In 2004, the UK bittern population reached the milestone of 50 booming males that was set in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. More...

Conserving black grouse

Black grouse are declining in most European countries. Having reversed the decline in England and Wales, the challenge is to sustain the recovery and to trial similar management in Scotland. More...

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

Capercaillie

Capercaillie populations have shown hopeful signs of starting to recover. However, they are very vulnerable and could still be lost from the UK in the next couple of decades. Management is helping to ensure that we don't lose this magnificent bird again. More...

Chough

Following a huge historic decline, chough populations are showing signs of recovery. However, the RSPB is urging government to develop agri-environment policies to secure suitable grazing management for choughs. More...

Cirl bunting

The cirl bunting is the UK's rarest resident farmland bird. Twenty-five percent of the population is threatened directly or indirectly by development. More...

Corncrake

The recovery of the corncrake population in Scotland, which started in the early 1990s, is continuing. A translocation project is underway to assist the return of the corncrake to England. More...

Hen harrier

RSPB nature reserves hold around 7% of the UK hen harrier population, even though moorland managed by the RSPB accounts for just under 1% of the UK's total. More...

Lapwings on RSPB lowland wet grassland reserves

Breeding lapwing numbers on lowland wet grassland have crashed, and in some parts of the UK they are largely dependent on nature reserves (where numbers have been maintained). Current research is looking at ways to help this bird in the wider countryside. More...

Osprey

The osprey is a magnificent bird of prey, with a wingspan of over 1.5 metres. The birds spend the winter in West Africa and return to the UK each spring to refurbish their large stick nests and breed. More...

Pine hoverfly

The RSPB is involved in the conservation of a variety of plants and invertebrates on our nature reserves and elsewhere. More...

Red kite

Red kites were almost extinct in the UK by the early 1900s, reduced to very low numbers in Wales. In the last two decades, they have been re-introduced to England and Scotland, with magnificent results. More...

Skylarks on arable

The RSPB is using its arable farm in Cambridgeshire to trial practical ways farmers can use to manage their cereal crops that will help combine the needs of skylarks with profitable farming. More...

Skylark perched on fence post with caterpillar in beak

Stone-curlew

The UK BAP target of 200 pairs of stone-curlews by 2000 was achieved ahead of target in 1997. In 2005, the population exceeded the next target of 300 pairs by 2010 five years ahead of schedule. More...