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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![RSPB Nene Washes Nature Reserve, reintroducing the Corncrake Crex crex to the reserve, Cambridgeshire]()
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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![Male Ring Ouzel, Turdus torquatus. Cairngorms National Park, Scotland.]()
Upland
Our research in upland systems focuses on understanding the changes in bird populations and their habitats.
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![RSPB's Hope farm, at the time of the wheat harvest, Knapwell, Cambridgeshire]()
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
Publications
Latest posts - saving species
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Can we save a migratory vulture population with captive-raised birds?
A new study shows that supporting a declining population of a migratory vulture with captive-reared young birds every year could delay extinction, and thus afford conservationists more time to reduce lethal threats along a migratory flyway spanning t...
Posted 26/07/2021 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers -
‘Sustainable development’ kills globally threatened birds in Africa and Middle East
Poorly designed infrastructure development causes mortality of globally threatened birds along their migratory flyways – potentially causing population declines on breeding grounds in Europe and Asia. Steffen Oppel, Senior Conservation Scientist, exp...
Posted 21/07/2021 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers -
Field season is back overseas!
In our last blog about this year’s fieldwork season, we’re highlighting the work taking place overseas in the Gola Rainforest and Gough Island. Whilst very different places, both are long-established projects where scientific input has been critical,...
Posted 06/07/2021 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers -
Field season is back for seabirds!
Today’s blog is the second in a series of three looking at the start up of the RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science fieldwork season. This blog is covering the seabird monitoring taking place around the UK’s coasts amidst a cacophony of sounds, sig...
Posted 03/07/2021 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers
Conservation Science Awards
The RSPBs three annual awards to recognise and celebrate excellence in conservation science.
The State of the UK's Birds
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 4Working with us
