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The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Flock of golden plovers in flight Aerial view of Broubster Leans Greenshank feeding in shallow water
Broubster Leans appeal

Broubster Leans appeal

  • Why is Broubster so special?
  • The wildlife of Broubster Leans

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Home > Support us > Campaigns and appeals > Broubster Leans appeal > Why is Broubster so special?

Why Broubster is special

Pete Mayhew, RSPB Regional Reserve Manager, North Scotland

'A flock of 300 golden plovers in summer plumage were wheeling overhead, calling and feeding up on the pastures before heading north to their breeding grounds.
'There were curlews, redshanks, lapwings and snipe displaying for their 'patch' on the Leans, as well as hundreds of geese and swans still hanging round after winter.
'I almost stood on an adder, just waking up in the spring sunshine. I had a chat with one of the local farmers who is keen to work with us and then I helped to reunite a lamb with its mother.' Pete Mayhew, RSPB Regional Reserve Manager, North Scotland

Broubster Leans is one of the most important sites for breeding waders in Scotland, and is home to nationally important numbers of wintering Greenland white-fronted geese.

Without the peaceful haven of places like Broubster Leans, the future of wading birds in the Highlands is at grave risk.

Already in some parts of Scotland we've seen some populations of breeding waders decrease by up to 90% in the last 20 years. But with sensitive land management we can start to reverse these declines.

Once the rich wildlife of a place like Broubster Leans is lost, it's gone forever. But if we act now, we can protect its delicate balance of farm land, rough land and wetland – forever.

With your help, and under RSPB stewardship, Broubster Leans will be safe from another grave threat too: the effects of badly-placed forest plantations.

Purchasing Broubster Leans allows us to work closely with local farmers, helping make not just the RSPB's land but the surrounding area a welcoming space where some of our most amazing wildlife can find a home and thrive.

3 ways to donate

You can donate by secure online form, by telephone or by post.

1. Securely online

Donating online is easy and ensures that more of your money is used for conservation.

Donate by credit or debit card

2. By telephone

Our Membership Services team can also take donations over the phone.

01767 693680

9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday

3. By post

We can accept donations by cheque too. Please make cheques payable to The RSPB and send them to:

Broubster Leans appeal
The RSPB
The Lodge
Sandy
Bedfordshire
SG19 2DL

About the RSPB

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© 2008 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Charity registered in England and Wales no 207076, in Scotland no SC037654
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Last published: 21/02/2008 10:45:05
Show/hide picture credits
Pete Mayhew, RSPB Regional Reserve Manager, North Scotland - (RSPB)
Flock of golden plovers in flight - Nigel Blake
Aerial view of Broubster Leans - Norrie Russell
Greenshank feeding in shallow water - Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)
Bird illustrations by Mike Langman (RSPB)