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
-
![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.
-
![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.
-
![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
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
-
Let's hear it for the little guys
Blog by RSPB's Head of Monitoring Conservation Science, Richard Gregory and UCL's Postdoctoral Research Associate, Charlie Outhwaite discuss their new paper out today in Nature, Ecology and Evolution. Biodiversity loss is increasingly hitting the he...
Posted 13/02/2020 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers -
Taking ‘Favourable Conservation Status’ out of the ‘too difficult’ box – the science bit
Favourable Conservation Status is a concept enshrined in international, European and national nature protection laws which aims to identify what good looks like for habitats and species, and therefore what conservationists should be aiming to achieve...
Posted 13/02/2020 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers -
New study: are teen seabirds safe?
Guest blog by Birdlife's Communications Manager, Shaun Hurrell. Seabirds have an exploratory adolescent phase, often looking for food in ocean areas quite different to breeding adults. A new collaborative BirdLife study warns that current seabird pro...
Posted 05/02/2020 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers -
How does climate change affect garden birds?
The RSPB's Conservation Scientist Daniel Hayhow discusses climate change and garden birds. Our climate is changing. 2019 was the Earth’s second warmest year since modern records began in 1880. The average UK temperature has increased roughly 1deg C s...
Posted 27/01/2020 by Vanessa Amaral-Rogers
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