Wessex stone-curlew project
The decline in stone-curlew numbers was largely due to the loss of suitable grassland habitat. Stone-curlews traditionally bred on tightly grazed grassland and foraged for invertebrates in permanent pastures, but much of what was once available has now given way to agriculture. As a result, more pairs are nesting in cultivated fields, which can leave the eggs and chicks vulnerable to farming practices.
They are also highly susceptible to disturbance, especially from dog walkers. The population has persisted on Salisbury Plain because it is a military training area, and much of the grassland habitat has been retained. Much of the surrounding landscape contains potentially suitable habitat for stone-curlews as well, and was historically part of the species’ range.
By working with farmers and landowners in these areas, the project aims to assist the recovery of the species through the creation and management of suitable habitat.
Project objectives
- The aim of the project is to produce a self-sustaining population of stone-curlews in Wessex.
- This will be achieved by facilitating the provision of suitable habitat, providing informed habitat management advice, and by species protection, including intervention where necessary to improve chick survival
- The project helps farmers to provide suitable habitat through agri-environment schemes
Key dates so far
- 1930s - UK stone-curlew population begins to decline
- 1980s - population hits an all time low of around 150 pairs, with as few as 30 pairs in Wessex
- 1982 - RSPB Stone-curlew Project Officer employed
- 1985 - RSPB employs field teams to carry out nest protection
- 1988 - Set aside introduced and used to provide suitable breeding areas
- 1992 - Stone-curlew listed on UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) as a priority species, with set targets for recovery
- 1995 - RSPB and English Nature (now Natural England) join forces to begin a 'Species Recovery Project'
- 1998 - habitat creation funded by Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS)
- 2000 - UK population of 254 pairs exceeds target set by UK BAP for 200 pairs
- 2004 - RSPB sign a management agreement at Normanton Down in Stonehenge World Heritage Site, a 46ha site with suitable habitat managed for stone-curlew
- 2005 - UK population of 308 pairs exceeds the UK BAP target for 2010 of 300 pairs
- 2005 - RSPB purchase Manor Farm, a 300 ha farm with suitable habitat for stone-curlews
- 2006 - Higher Level Stewardship replaces CSS management options for stone-curlew
- 2008 - Set aside scrapped
- 2008 - UK population of 350 pairs meets UK BAP target for 2015
Work planned or underway
Over the last 20 years, conservation efforts in partnership with local farmers and landowners have encouraged the population to spread into the surrounding farmland, and numbers have increased. The RSPB have worked with individual farmers, as well as partner organisations such as the MoD, Natural England, the National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts to create more suitable habitat for stone-curlews, both on military grasslands and in the farmed landscape.
The introduction of set-aside allowed fallow areas within fields that were sometimes suitable as nesting areas, especially if the area could be sprayed to keep vegetation from becoming too thick. Since the withdrawal of set-aside, the work has largely involved creating nesting plots which are managed specifically for stone-curlews. These plots are available under the Environmental Stewardship schemes, and compensate the farmers to manage an area within a field that will encourage nesting stone-curlews safely away from agricultural operations.
These areas are monitored by RSPB project staff and advice is given so that suitable nesting conditions can be maintained throughout the season. As a result, the farmer can carry out management without disturbing nesting birds. The monitoring also shows population and productivity trends within Wessex.
Although the population is now recovering, this work will continue as the success is largely dependent on conservation efforts. As the work develops, more sustainable management techniques will be instigated to see whether the population can become self-sufficient. The RSPB vision is for partnership working on a landscape scale, incorporating the stone-curlew project and a whole range of other programmes. This could be encapsulated by the Wiltshire Chalk Country, which pulls together a number of different organisations for the restoration of the downland heritage of the chalk country across Wessex.
Results
The Wessex stone-curlew population was estimated at approximately 142 pairs in 2011, up from a low point of just 30 pairs in the early 1980s. The range has also increased, with some pairs returning to breed in historical areas.
The UK Biodiversity Action Plan for stone-curlew targets a national population of 350 pairs by 2015, but this figure has already been surpassed.
Over 250 stone-curlew nesting plots were established in Wessex in 2011, on more than 100 farms and across MoD land. By working closely with the MoD we have been able to ensure that the species’ stronghold on Salisbury Plain continues to provide suitable habitat for stone-curlew. The goodwill and support from the MoD and farmers has been fundamental to the success of the project, and will be vital in creating a self-sustaining population of stone-curlew.
The project also works closely with Natural England to identify key farms for Environmental Stewardship. The farmers can access grant payments for managing habitat on their land, and can include other management options that benefit a range of farmland wildlife, especially the priority arable six bird species – lapwing, corn bunting, turtle dove, tree sparrow, yellow wagtail and grey partridge. There are over a hundred farms currently in a stewardship scheme that are managing land for stone-curlew.
The RSPB Wessex reserves (including RSPB owned sites and land management agreements) are delivering habitat management for stone-curlew as well. These sites hold several breeding stone-curlew pairs and link important areas of suitable habitat together.
Downloads
Who to contact
Nick Tomalin
Wessex Farmland Project Manager
E-mail: nick.tomalin@rspb.org.uk
Partners
None of this work would be possible without the support of farmers and landowners around Wessex. Their support, through sympathetic management and the provision of suitable habitat, has been responsible for the increase in population seen over the last twenty years.
Natural England has been a partner throughout the project, providing expertise and support to farmers, and also funding through their Action for Birds in England programme and environmental stewardship.
The Ministry of Defence have a large Estate on which the majority of the Wessex stone-curlew breed. By working closely together, we have been able to protect these birds without compromising MoD activity on Salisbury Plain.
The Wiltshire Chalk Country programme is a shared vision between the RSPB and other organisations including the MoD, the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, Wiltshire Council, Natural England, Wessex Water, Plantlife, Butterfly Conservation, and Bumblebee Conservation.
Funding
The main funding for the project comes from Biffa, through their Main Grants Scheme. This funds a programme of advisory work to empower landowners to continue land management with less intervention from the RSPB.
SITA have also provided funds for the project previously, which covered work outside core areas to identify sites where stone-curlew were breeding in vulnerable locations and increase their current range.
Additional funds came from the EU Life+ grant scheme, and this covered a programme of field work over a number of years.