Safeguarding species

Ever since the RSPB began in 1889, we've helped species and that's still at the heart of what we do.

The species of greatest conservation concern and the threats they face may be different now, but the need to help wildlife is still urgent.

Which species and why

Ever since the RSPB began in 1889, we've helped species – and that's still at the heart of what we do.

A daunting number of bird species in the UK have declining populations. Some populations have already declined to a frac

Alarmed by the plunging bittern numbers, the RSPB started a research programme to investigate the needs of the bittern.

The RSPB is urging government to develop agri-environment policies to secure suitable grazing management for choughs.

The cirl bunting is the UK’s rarest resident farmland bird with a population of only 1000 pairs.

Hen harriers continue to decline in areas dominated by heather moorland that is managed for driven grouse shooting.

The osprey is a magnificent bird of prey, with a wingspan of over 1.5 metres. The birds spend the winter in West Africa.

The pine hoverfly is arguably the most endangered hoverfly in the UK.

Red kites were almost extinct in the UK by the early 1900s, reduced to very low numbers in Wales.

The skylark is found across many types of open habitats. In the UK, of these, the single most important is farmland.

The RSPB's work has helped the white-tailed eagle, the UK's largest bird of prey, to return to western Scotland.