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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Farmland bird trends in a low-intensity mixed farming landscape – have agri-environment schemes made a difference?
Blog post by Dr Allan Perkins, Senior Conservation Scientist, RSPB Centre for Conservation Science A new study, recently published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, looks at the population responses of farmland bird species to agri‐environment schem...
Posted 02/01/2019 by Kevin Middleton -
RSPB Science highlights 2018
Blog post by David Gibbons, Head of the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science I’m incredibly proud of everything my colleagues at the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science have achieved during 2018. It’s been a challenging year, for many reasons, but w...
Posted 21/12/2018 by Kevin Middleton -
Hunting of curlew in France – is it sustainable?
Footage of waders being hunted in France has emerged online. The scenes of dead and injured birds make for difficult viewing. One species shown being hunted is the (Eurasian) curlew. The RSPB and others have argued that the curlew is the UK’s highest...
Posted 22/11/2018 by martinfowlie -
Record numbers of breeding avocets revealed in a new report on the UK’s rare breeding birds.
A guest blog from Mark Holling, secretary of the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. The latest annual report from the Rare Breeding Birds Panel (RBBP) reveals that there were at least 2,230 breeding pairs of Avocets in the UK in 2016. This is the first time ...
Posted 01/11/2018 by martinfowlie
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.