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Conservation Science in the RSPB 2005
Welcome to the fourth report on the RSPB's scientific work. While the two-dozen or so projects included in the report represent just a snapshot of our overall programme, we hope they will demonstrate the depth and breadth of the scientific work the RSPB undertakes. A more complete list of our scientific projects is provided at the back of the report for your information.
On the up: corncrakes and bitterns
During 2004, two particularly important milestones were met: numbers of booming male bitterns in the UK passed 50 and the number of calling male corncrakes exceeded 1,000. Learn more about these success stories on pages 8–11 (bittern) and 15–16 (corncrake).
Asian vultures
In March 2005, following extensive advocacy by the RSPB, BNHS (BirdLife Partner in India) and others, the Indian Prime Minister announced that the use of diclofenac in veterinary medicine was to be phased out within six months, giving a tremendous boost for vulture conservation. As diclofenac is phased out, alternatives will be required, so we are working with veterinarians and scientists in India and South Africa to test the safety of alternatives; preliminary results look promising.
Furthermore, to ensure the survival of Gyps vultures, two breeding centres have been established in India.
Least productive breeding season on record
The breeding season in 2004 ‘was the least productive on record, particularly so in the Northern Isles and in many colonies on the east coast of Britain’. Evidence is growing that these recent failures may be linked to reductions in food availability, in turn influenced by changing sea surface temperatures.
We anticipate that improving our understanding of the impact of climatic change on seabirds, and indeed other bird species (see page 30 for the impact on golden plovers), is an area of research in which the RSPB will become more closely involved.
In as much as seabird breeding success can be a valuable indicator of large-scale changes in the marine environment, then indicators based on changes in numbers of common breeding birds are increasingly seen as indicators of change in the terrestrial environment.
Farmland and woodland bird indicators
In an attempt to ensure that woodland bird populations do not suffer the same fate as their farmland counterparts, the Woodland Bird Group was formed under the chairmanship of Forestry Commission England, involving a wide range of interested parties, including the RSPB. This group has been extremely successful in championing woodland birds, particularly in commissioning and funding research. A range of projects has been started, with the RSPB playing a large part in a repeat survey of woodland birds, and undertaking ecological studies of two declining species, the willow tit and lesser spotted woodpecker.
One particular lesser spotted woodpecker became not only the first of its kind to be radio-tagged in the UK, but also a star of the print and broadcast media. Our woodland bird research is at a very early stage, but doubtless future editions of this report will tell you our findings.
Please download the full report by clicking on the link to the right.
Last modified: 04 December 2007