Centre for Conservation Science
We do this by identifying the most important problems, discovering their possible causes, testing potential solutions to those causes and ensuring that they work when implemented. We work both throughout the UK and overseas alongside a wide range of funders and partners.
What we do
Featured research
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UK Species
We identify species of greatest conservation concern from surveys and monitoring. Subsequent research often aims to identify causes of population declines and test potential solutions.
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Upland
Our research in upland systems focuses on understanding the changes in bird populations and their habitats.
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Agriculture
To address continuing agricultural change and the pressures it places on wildlife, we operate a large and varied research and monitoring programme across all types of UK farmland.
Meet the team
Using science to find practical solutions to the most pressing conservation problems
Working with us
Publications
Conservation Science Awards
The RSPBs three annual awards to recognise and celebrate excellence in conservation science.
The State of the UK's Birds
Latest blog posts
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Threats to Egyptian Vultures in a key wintering area in Ethiopia
Blog post by Steffen Oppel, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science In October 2018, an Egyptian Vulture that had migrated from Bulgaria to winter in Ethiopia, died under unknown circumstances in Afar province, eastern Eth...
Posted 20/02/2019 by Chiara Ceci -
Flying 10,000 km to grab some fish, you must be … a Murphy’s Petrel
Blog post by Steffen Oppel, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science “Honey, I’ll be right back”. Maybe that’s what the croaky, wailing call of a Murphy’s Petrel means as it waddles from its shady nest 20 m down to the beac...
Posted 29/01/2019 by Chiara Ceci -
Life on a remote tropical island is really hard – if you’re a seabird
Blog post by Steffen Oppel, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science What could be hard about living on a remote island in the tropics? Most of us will envision blue skies, white sandy beaches, and no care in the world whil...
Posted 24/01/2019 by Chiara Ceci -
What has the National Audit Office ever done for you?
Blog post by Prof Richard Gregory, Head of Species Monitoring and Research, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science and Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London You may not have heard of the National Audit Office (NAO) o...
Posted 17/01/2019 by Chiara Ceci
Downloads
The State of Nature in the UK and its Overseas Territories. PDF, 8.3Mb
State of Nature 2016The SUKB report, is a one-stop shop for all the latest results from annual, periodic and one-off surveys and monitoring programmes. PDF, 2.5Mb
State of the UK's birds 2016The annual report of the Wetland Bird Survey. PDF, 5Mb
Waterbirds in the UK 2014-2015This case study focuses on the evidence available in support of the RSPB's position on renewables. PDF, 542Kb
Case study no 15: Renewable energy and conservation sciencePart of a collection that aims to highlight RSPB science from the last decade. PDF, 389Kb
Case study no 16: Climate change researchUnderstanding woodland bird declines. PDF, 392Kb
Case Study No. 17: Can not see the wood for the trees!The UK's leading bird conservation organisations have worked together to review the status of birds in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. PDF, 1.7Mb
Bird of conservation concern 4
How are we doing?
We've been making changes and we'd love to know what you think.