sign in sign up
<<
Home , List of RSPB reserves, Nigg Bay, Titchwell Marsh

RSPB RESERVES 2010 Black Park Ramna Stacks & Gruney Lumbister

Mousa Loch of Spiggie

Noup Cliffs North Hill Birsay Moors The Loons and Loch of Banks Onziebust Marwick Head Brodgar Cottasgarth & Rendall Moss Hobbister Eilean Hoan Broubster Leans Loch na Muilne Blar Nam Faoileag Forsinard Flows

Priest Island Troup Head Edderton Sands Balranald Nigg and Udale Bays Ardmore Culbin Sands Fairy Glen Drimore Farm Meikle Loch Eileanan Dubha Ballinlaggan Abernethy

Fowlsheugh The Reef Loch of Kinnordy

Skinflats Tay reedbeds Balnahard and Garrison Farm Vane Farm Oronsay Inner Clyde Fannyside Smaull Farm Inchmickery /Ardnave Baron’s Haugh Horse Island Bogside Flats Aird’s Moss Rathlin Lough Foyle Ken-Dee Marshes Kirkconnell Merse Wood of Cree Campfield Marsh Larne Lough Islands Mersehead Geltsdale Lough Lower Lough Erne Islands & Scar Rocks Saltholme Haweswater St Bees Head Aghatirourke Strangford Bay & Sandy Island Lyth Valley Hodbarrow Leighton Moss & Morecambe Bay Bempton Cliffs Carlingford Lough Islands

Hesketh Out Marsh Fairburn Ings Marshside Read’s Island Blacktoft Sands The Skerries Tetney Marshes Valley Wetlands Dearne Valley – Old Moor and Bolton Ings South Stack Cliffs Conwy Dee Estuary EA/RSPB Beckingham Project Malltraeth Marsh Langford Lowfields Morfa Dinlle Coombes & Churnet Valleys Tan yr Allt Freiston Shore Titchwell Marsh Lake Vyrnwy Frampton Marsh Snettisham Sutton Fen Mawddach Woodlands Middleton Lakes Mid Yare Valley Nene Washes Berney Marshes & Breydon Water Ynys-hir Sandwell Valley Lakenheath Fen Ouse Fen (Hanson-RSPB project) Dingle Marshes Carngafallt Minsmere Fen Drayton Lakes Snape North Warren Gwenffrwd/Dinas The Lodge Fowlmere Havergate Island & Boyton Marshes Wolves & Ramsey Woods Stour Estuary Ramsey Island HighnamWoods Old Hall Marshes Otmoor Grassholm Cwm Clydach Nagshead Wallasea Island Rye Meads Vange Marshes Church Wood Cliffe Pools Newport Wetlands West Canvey Marshes Winterbourne Downs Rainham Marshes Northward Hill Shorne Marshes Nor Marsh & Motney Hill Normanton Down Seasalter Levels Farnham Heath Tudeley Elmley Marshes Chapel Wood Barfold Copse Woods Lydden Valley Greylake Blean Woods Isley Marsh West Sedgemoor Broadwater Warren Garston Wood Dungeness Fore Wood Aylesbeare Common Adur Estuary Lewes Brooks Exe Estuary Arne Pulborough Brooks and Amberley Wildbrooks Labrador Bay Bracklesham Bay Radipole Lake Wareham Pilsey Island HMS Cambridge Lodmoor Meadows Langstone Harbour Hayle Estuary Brading Marshes Grange Heath Marazion Marsh Stoborough Heath

Locations of RSPB reserves Featured reserves 1

RSPB Reserves 2010 A review of our work COMPILED BY JO GILBERT AND MALCOLM AUSDEN

Contents

Our vision 3

Introduction – Beyond birds 5 RSPB reserves contribution to the 2010 Convention on Biological Diversity target 6

Reserves and wildlife – a review of 2009 17 Progress towards bird species targets 18 Land acquisition 22 Condition of RSPB-managed SSSIs/ASSIs 23

Protecting threatened birds 25 Replacing Ouse Washes habitats 26 Seabirds at Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs SPA 30 Anti-predator fencing: protecting breeding waders 34 Red-necked phalaropes on Fetlar 36

Restoring lost habitats 39 Opportunities after mineral extraction 40 coastal realignment project: seven years on 44 Introducing the Wallasea Wild Coast Project 48 Enlarging the habitats at Ynys-hir 50 Partnership in the Peak District 52

Improving conditions for wildlife 57 Conserving heath fritillaries at Blean Woods 58 The Reef, Isle of Tiree – a machair haven 62 Brodgar’s ring of wildlife 66

Reserves and people – a review of 2009 69 Inspiring people about nature 70 RSPB Living Classrooms – giving children an outstanding outdoor experience 72 Residential volunteering – happy 30th birthday 74 Saltholme 78 A day in the life… 80

Working with the environment 83 Adapting to climate change 84 Preserving the historic environment 90

Working internationally 95 Harapan Rainforest 96 Restoring Belarusian and Ukrainian peatlands: halting the loss of peat and biodiversity 100

Thank you to our supporters 104 2 Danny Green (rspb-images.com)Danny

Short-eared owls can often be seen hunting by day across open moorland, such as at Birsay Moors in . RSPB RESERVES 2010 3

Our vision

Our vision is to help achieve a wildlife-rich future by doubling the area of land managed as RSPB nature reserves by 2030, protecting our most special places for birds and all wildlife, and redressing past losses through habitat restoration and creation. Our reserves will be rich in wildlife and, working with adjoining landowners through our Futurescapes programme, they will act as catalysts to enhance the quality of the surrounding countryside. They will be wonderful places where everyone can enjoy, learn about and be inspired by wildlife.

Increasingly, we will focus on restoring land of low ecological interest to that of high quality. Although our ambition may appear large, we believe it is the minimum that an organisation of the RSPB’s scale and character should seek to contribute, given the size of the task facing us. 4 Tony Hamblin (rspb-images.com) Tony

A meadow grasshopper – one of over 13,300 species found on RSPB reserves. INTRODUCTION 5

Introduction Beyond birds

This year has been declared the as declining, threatened or near able to enhance our work for the International Year of Biodiversity by threatened on the offical Red Data conservation of the historic the United Nations. The aim is to Lists, where RSPB nature reserves environment of our sites, with the celebrate the diversity of life on support more than 20% of their support of English Heritage. We will Earth, including every plant, UK populations. also be doing more to enable our animal and micro-organism many visitors to enjoy the rich (www.biodiversityislife.net). Whilst the needs of most of the 304 heritage of our sites. species can be delivered through The highlight of the year should be regular habitat management, there One clear coincidence between our the biodiversity summit in Nagoya, are 72 which need targeted special work for the natural and historic Japan, at which governments will management if they are to thrive – emerges – that this is one case report on progress on the open disturbed ground, bare mud where bigger is definitely better! commitment they made in 2002 to with fluctuating water levels or Moving towards conservation at a achieve a significant reduction of the special ditch cleaning cycles. These landscape scale, as promoted through rate of biodiversity loss at global, needs will be captured in our reserve our Futurescapes programme, is regional and national level by 2010. management plans, to be translated essential. This is necessary to provide into work on the ground. more space for nature, to buffer Of all the species that make up what threatened species and habitats from we now know as biodiversity, birds In undertaking this work, we are human impacts, and to reverse the are perhaps the species group with hugely appreciative of the support we ongoing losses of biodiversity. which we are most familiar – have received from partners – enriching our daily lives through flight, especially the statutory nature song and behaviour, and their sheer conservation organisations, beauty. Having invested in land for conservation charities such as birds, the RSPB fully recognises its Plantlife, Butterfly Conservation and value for other species of wildlife. BugLife, and the members of the So far, we have now recorded over many specialist recording societies 13,300 species on our reserves – who have helped gather the species Gwyn Williams about a quarter of the UK’s total data on which we depend. Head of Reserves and Protected Areas complement of terrestrial species. Of these, only about 3% are birds! But the interest of our reserves More than half are insects and a extends far beyond the natural quarter are fungi. And whilst we will environment, embracing do our utmost to look after every archaeological and historic remains one, we have filtered out 304 species from prehistoric burial mounds to for which we have a very special World War II defences. Over the last Dr Mark Avery responsibility – those that are listed year, we have been delighted to be Director of Conservation 6 Chris Knights (rspb-images.com)

Thirty-six percent of pink-footed geese wintering in the UK are found on RSPB reserves.

RSPB reserves contribution to the 2010 Convention on Biological Diversity target

The Convention on Biological Diversity sets out to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Convention was opened for signature at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, and came into force on 29 December 1993. The countries that signed up to the Convention promised to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss at global, regional and national levels by 2010. Here we assess the contribution of RSPB reserves to reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in the UK between 1994 and 2010.

AUTHOR: MALCOLM AUSDEN, PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST INTRODUCTION 7 Laurie Campbell (rspb-images.com)

Aims of our reserves

The principal aim of our nature reserve network is to conserve threatened and/or internationally- important bird species and their habitats. We do this by protecting and managing land of high conservation importance, and by re-creating land of high nature conservation value on that of negligible conservation value. Management of these reserves aims to benefit priority bird species, whilst Twenty percent of the UK’s native pinewood is on RSPB reserves. also maintaining and where possible enhancing the other characteristic fauna and flora of these habitats. We aim to deliver these conservation 143,200 ha, which is 0.6% of the Population trends of goals in ways that also provide other UK’s land surface. These nature priority species on reserves benefits. These include public reserves support a large proportion between 1994 and 2009 enjoyment and wellbeing, formal of many of the UK’s priority habitats, and informal education, other including an estimated 20% of the It is clear that our reserve network ecosystem services and contributions UK’s native pinewood and 18% of its covers a large proportion of the UK’s to local economies. area of reedbed. important habitats, and supports a large proportion of the UK’s population We can use three measures to Our nature reserves support a large of many rare and localised birds and assess the contribution of RSPB proportion of the total UK breeding other wildlife. But, a key measure of reserves to reducing the overall rate population of a range of bird species. the success of the network in of biodiversity loss in the UK: In particular, they hold a high conserving biodiversity is whether it proportion of the UK’s breeding has been successful in maintaining • the area of important habitat, and seabirds, some rare upland/montane populations of priority species and populations of bird and other species, and species associated with those for which it supports a large species, supported by the wetlands. Our reserves also typically proportion of the UK population. reserve network support about 680,000 wildfowl and • population trends of priority waders in mid-winter. On our website species across the reserve (www.rspb.org.uk/reservesreview), network It is impossible to provide a definitive we show population trends of these • the scale and success of habitat figure for the numbers of species and key bird species across the area of re-creation/restoration. population sizes of other wildlife on land that we managed in 1994. our reserves, but surveys have so far Populations of most species are either Habitats and species found over 13,300 species of animals, stable, increasing, or, in the case of a found on our reserves plants and fungi. These include over few species, fluctuating from year to 2,100 rare or scarce species, and over year – possibly in relation to climate or Since 1994, we have continued to 300 species for which our reserves factors operating away from their expand the extent of our nature support more than 20% of the UK breeding areas. In general, priority bird reserve network, increasing the area populations. Further information on species for which specific that we manage by 125% between the value of RSPB reserves for management is undertaken have fared 1994 and 2010. RSPB nature species other than birds can be found well. Examples include the bittern, reserves now cover an area of in RSPB Reserves 2009. black grouse, corncrake, stone-curlew, 8 INTRODUCTION

lapwing, redshank, snipe and black- tailed godwit. In the case of some of the more widespread species amongst these, lapwing, snipe and black grouse, population trends on RSPB nature reserves have been far

Peter Cairns (rspb-images.com) Peter more favourable than those in the wider countryside. Populations of three heathland species – nightjar, woodlark and Dartford warbler – have A small population of Slavonian grebe is maintained on the remained relatively stable on the area part of Loch Ruthven managed by the RSPB, but declines of land managed by the RSPB in 1994, over the loch as a whole have been recorded since 2004. but have increased nationally between

Changes in population of four bird species on land managed by the RSPB since 1994.

These are not the total numbers for each species on RSPB reserves because we have added to our network since 1994 (see page 9 for totals).

Corncrake Bittern 20 180 160 140 15 120 100 10 80 60 40 5 20 Population (calling males) Population 0 (booming males) Population 0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Year Year

The large increase in breeding corncrakes on our reserves has Bittern numbers have increased following habitat management played an important role in the recovery of the UK’s breeding undertaken to provide suitable conditions for this species. The corncrake population. increase on our reserves has helped to fuel the recovery of the UK population, with Minsmere being particularly important in providing young birds to colonise other sites.

Avocet Little tern

700 250

600 200 500

400 150

300 100 200

Population (pairs) Population 50 100 Population (pairs) Population 0 0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Year Year Numbers of breeding avocets have increased. Five of our existing Numbers of breeding little terns have fluctuated from year to reserves have been colonised by breeding avocets over this year, but with a strong suggestion of an underlying downward period. The young produced on our reserves must have been, trend. Nationally, little terns have shown a long-term decline. and will probably continue to be, important in fuelling the recovery and range expansion of avocets in the UK. INTRODUCTION 9

Birds with > 10% of their UK breeding population on RSPB reserves and the (rspb-images.com) Roger Wilmshurst habitats with which they are associated. Figures for RSPB reserves are for 2009, apart from some seabirds, where they are for the most recent year that individual sites were surveyed, and for snow buntings which were last surveyed in 2001. Figures shown for the % of the UK population are estimated using the most recent UK population estimates, which are not necessarily for 2009.

Number on % of RSPB reserves Species UK (pairs unless population otherwise stated)

Species found mainly on machair Corncrake (singing males) 289 25

Species of upland & montane habitats Common scoter (females) 12 23 Purple sandpiper 2 100 Black-tailed godwit (islandica race) 6 86 Garganey Red-necked phalarope (males) 11 42 Snow bunting 22 20-31 Kaleel Zibe (rspb-images.com) Species of native pinewood Crested tit * *

Species of broad-leaved woodland Golden oriole 2 40-100

Seabirds Storm petrel (apparently occupied sites) 14,398 56 Gannet (apparently occupied sites) 65,150 30 Mediterranean gull 230 53-57 Kittiwake (apparently occupied nests) 76,501 20 Sandwich tern 2,409 19 Roseate tern 92 96 Guillemot (individuals) 213,445 15 Razorbill (individuals) 19,913 11

Wetland species Slavonian grebe 4 17 Guillemot Bittern (booming males) 33 40 Little egret >137 >17-19 a Gadwall >675 >85 RichardsMike (rspb-images.com) Pintail 18 69a Garganey 42 61 Shoveler >672 45-67a Goldeneye 46 29 Marsh harrier (nests) 74 20 Spotted crake (calling males) 12 16 Crane 2 12-13 Avocet 807 53 Black-tailed godwit (limosa race) 43 84 Wood sandpiper 11 41-100 Cetti's warbler (singing males) ca470 ca23 Bearded tit >300 >54

* total numbers on RSPB reserves not monitored, but almost certainly comprise > 10% of the UK population. a UK population figure is likely to be an under-estimate, so RSPB reserves probably support a lower proportion of the national population than shown. Bearded tit 10 INTRODUCTION

Waterbirds with a high proportion of their population occurring on RSPB reserves during the winter. Figures are for winter 2007/08, the most recent winter for which national Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) counts have been collated.

Peak monthly count % of UK Species across all RSPB WeBS countsa reserves (Sept-Oct)

Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com) Kennedy Ray Slavonian grebe 23 10 Little egret 512 13 Spoonbill 13 76 Mute swan 2,531 10 Bewick's swan 1,657 74 Whooper swan 4,621 36 Bean goose 438 90-100 Pink-footed goose 66,235 36 European white-fronted goose 361 26 Bewick's swan Greenland white-fronted goose 810 14 Canada goose 7,096 10 Barnacle goose 31,194 70 Barnacle goose (naturalised) 340 11 Dark-bellied brent goose 11,662 13 Shelduck 10,266 17 Wigeon 132,388 32 Gadwall 3,442 20 Teal 44,133 30 15,822 10 Pintail 6,654 30

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Shoveler 5,270 31 Pochard 4,307 11 Smew 48 31 Red-breasted merganser 407 11 Coot 10,386 10 Oystercatcher 37,581 17 Avocet 2,218 26 Ringed plover 1,537 12 Golden plover 52,779 17b Grey plover 5,383 13 Redshank Dunlin 52,345 16 Ruff 250 33 Black-tailed godwit 13,428 38 Bar-tailed godwit 6,138 20 Curlew 14,803 18 Spotted redshank 64 51 Redshank 12,610 14 Greenshank 217 14

a Summed September to March counts on all RSPB reserves, as a percentage of the summed September to March counts on all sites in the UK contributing to WeBS, unless otherwise stated. NB for some species, eg mallard, national WeBS counts will significantly underestimate the total UK population. b Percentage of total national wintering population estimate - WeBS counts

Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com) Andrew Parkinson under-estimate the UK wintering population, because a significant proportion of birds occur on non-wetland habitat.

Coot INTRODUCTION 11

1994 and 2009. A likely explanation is reserves. Many of these are are faring well on our reserves and that these reserves already held high increasing nationally, some across the UK as a whole. There densities of these species in 1994, undoubtedly for reasons unrelated have, though, been declines in some and that national increases have been to changes in land management. species at individual sites, due to caused largely by these species Nevertheless, populations of many re-distributions of wintering/passage colonising new sites, and increasing in of these species would be far lower birds within the UK and elsewhere density at sites that were less optimal if it were not for the wetland habitat in Western Europe. for them. We cannot compare the provided by nature reserves. population trends of the rarest species Examples of these include marsh A key concern is the status of several on and off nature reserves, because harrier, avocet and Cetti’s warbler. cliff-nesting seabird species. many of these species are now Populations of some of these are largely, or completely, confined to Several species show more complex, almost certainly strongly influenced nature reserves. and in some cases declining trends, by food supply, which is beyond the such as Slavonian grebe, black- influence of land-based nature Our reserves support important necked grebe, capercaillie and little reserves. Development of an populations of a large number of tern. Possible explanations for these effective system of marine protected wetland bird species, which are not trends are given on our website areas is vital to protect the feeding currently of high conservation priority, (www.rspb.org.uk/reservesreview). grounds of the internationally- but which have benefited from important populations of many of management of wetland nature Most species of wintering waterbirds these seabird species.

In and , RSPB reserves cover just 4% of the area surveyed for breeding (rspb-images.com) David Tipling waders in 2002. Yet, by 2009, our reserves held 30% of breeding lapwings, 50% of breeding redshanks and 85% of breeding snipe found in the 2002 survey. 12 INTRODUCTION

Re-creation and is already helping to stem historical but typically takes 3–4 years to restoration of habitats declines in the extent and quality of develop a similar food supply for this habitat. Bitterns and other waders to that found on adjacent Between 1994 and 2010, 5,400 ha reedbed birds are now breeding in intertidal mud. Acid grassland and of high priority habitat have been reedbeds created at Ham Wall and heathland re-created on ex-arable land re-created or restored, or entered into Lakenheath Fen, although it has taken at Minsmere supported its first the process of habitat restoration. 12 years between planning these sites breeding stone-curlews eight years In addition, grazing levels have been and bitterns first booming at them. after being taken out of arable reduced over 2,000 ha of upland Both sites support a wide range of production, and supported four pairs in habitat at Abernethy to provide other wetland birds, including 2009. This is the majority of the suitable conditions for the expansion breeding cranes, marsh harriers and coast population. Heathland and acid of native pine forest. Much of this about 65 pairs of bearded tits at grassland re-created at Minsmere also habitat re-creation and restoration Lakenheath Fen. Lakenheath Fen supports silver-studded blue butterflies, has been undertaken with the future also supports a valuable reedbed a rich ground beetle fauna, and a flora impacts of climate change in mind invertebrate fauna, containing a wide characteristic of drought-prone (see page 84). range of rare and scarce wetland fly grasslands in this region, containing species (Booth and Ausden, 2009). uncommon species such as clustered In many cases, re-created and Colonisation by wetland invertebrate clover and spring vetch. Nightjars, restored habitats will take a long time species must have been aided by the woodlarks and sand lizards have to develop their full complement of close proximity of wetland colonised areas cleared of conifers on species. Lowland wet grassland is invertebrates in nearby existing afforested heathland at Farnham relatively rapid to restore to a reedbed. The fauna of more isolated Heath, following the start of felling in condition suitable to support breeding reedbeds might not develop so rapidly. winter 2004/05. We will have to wait waders, wintering waterfowl and longer to see the full benefits of characteristic aquatic plants and Newly restored intertidal habitat blanket bog restoration following invertebrates. Re-creation and supports waterbirds the first winter plantation removal, heathland creation restoration of lowland wet grassland following breaching of the sea wall, and calcareous grassland creation.

The area of nature reserves managed by the RSPB, 1994–2010

160000

140000

120000

100000

80000

60000

Area of land (ha) Area 40000

20000

0 2010 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Ye a r INTRODUCTION 13 David Osborn (rspb-images.com)

Fen orchid is a rare plant with special management requirements, which we provide at Sutton Fen. 14 INTRODUCTION

Conclusions immune from changes taking place populations of the characteristic off reserves and climatic conditions. species found on them. RSPB reserves have played a major contribution in conserving the UK’s For species that are a high The relative importance of nature biodiversity since 1994, supporting a conservation priority on nature reserves in conserving the UK’s high proportion of priority habitats reserves, and which also occur in the biodiversity is only likely to increase, and species in the UK. These include wider countryside, populations trends given increased stresses on a large number of bird species that on nature reserves are more populations of many species caused the UK has an international favourable. This is not surprising, by climate change and other responsibility to conserve, principally given that a principal aim of nature demands on land use. seabirds and wintering/passage reserves is to benefit biodiversity. It wildfowl. In general, most species does mean, though, that nature whose populations are thought to be reserves are playing an increasingly References largely determined by habitat important role in maintaining Booth, V. & Ausden, M. 2009. The invertebrate populations of a created conditions on reserves are faring populations of species that were until reedbed after seven years: Lakenheath Fen well. Without our reserves, the future recently more widespread in the RSPB reserve, Suffolk, England. of many of the UK’s most special countryside. Re-creation and Conservation Evidence, 6, 105-110. wildlife would undoubtedly be far less restoration of some habitats is secure. Despite this, it is also clear helping to replace areas that have that populations on reserves are not previously been lost, and increase

Areas of different habitats managed by the RSPB in 2010, compared to the area of land encircled by the M25 orbital motorway (blue line). INTRODUCTION 15

Areas of priority habitats re-created or restored on land of negligible conservation value, or entered into the process of habitat re-creation or restoration, between 1994 and 2010

Area Habitat being re-created or restored Details (ha)

Lowland wet grassland Being re-created on ex-arable, or restored from drained grassland 2,110

Reedbed Created reedbed, other swamp/fen habitat and pools, and other 597 open water that is being colonised by reed

Intertidal habitat Opened to tidal inundation (managed re-alignment and regulated 272 tidal exchange)

Lowland heath & lowland acid grassland Being re-created on ex-arable (mainly acid grassland) 198 Plantation felled on afforested heathland (mainly lowland heath) 125

Lowland calcareous grassland Seeded with calcareous grassland plant species 87

Blanket bog Plantation felled on afforested blanket bog 1,920

Native pinewood Area of trees planted 105 Land on which woodland is spreading through natural 2,000 regeneration, and is suitable for expansion through natural regeneration David Kjaer (rspb-images.com) The reedbed created at Ham Wall now supports breeding bitterns, as well as a range of other wetland species. 16

The population of snipe breeding on RSPB lowland wet grassland reserves has steadily increased in recent years against a national decline, except for on the Ouse Washes, which is affected by summer flooding (see page 26). Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com) Andrew Parkinson RSPB RESERVES 2010 17

Reserves and wildlife a review of 2009

The strategic aims of the work on our reserves are: • to ensure that all Sites and Areas of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs and ASSIs) for which the RSPB is responsible for delivery of Favourable Condition are classified as in Favourable or Unfavourable-Recovering Condition by 2012 in , Wales and , and 2010 in England • to ensure that populations of 11 key species of bird are at least maintained at 2005 levels on the existing reserve network • to ensure that populations of 15 priority species of bird are enhanced by 2012 on the existing reserve network • to create important new habitats on land acquired before 2006 • to ensure wildlife thrives on reserves • to acquire further land to support our conservation objectives. Progress was made towards these aims in 2009 and is reported in the following chapter. 18 RESERVES AND WILDLIFE – A REVIEW OF 2009

Bitterns are now breeding successfully in the created reedbeds at Ham Wall and Lakenheath Fen. Steve Round (rspb-images.com)Steve Round

Progress towards bird species targets

We aim to maintain the populations of 11 key bird species at or Species making good progress above their 2005 levels. Ambitious targets have been set to towards achieving their 2012 increase populations of a further 15 key bird species breeding on targets our reserves by 2012 (see table on page 19). Twelve species are making good Figures for 2009 again show mixed progress, with 12 species progress towards achieving their making good or satisfactory progress towards their 2012 targets, 2012 RCS targets, ie they are and 11 species currently making unsatisfactory progress. One expected to achieve, or closely species is giving particular cause for concern. It is difficult to achieve, their 2012 RCS targets. predict whether three species are likely to achieve their 2012 These are bittern, common scoter, Reserve Conservation Strategy (RCS) targets, because these hen harrier, black grouse, spotted species are not regularly monitored on reserves. crake, corncrake, crane, stone- curlew, lapwing (on lowland wet RESERVES AND WILDLIFE – A REVIEW OF 2009 19

Populations of priority bird species on RSPB reserves

Species 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2012 target Species making good progress: Bittern (booming males) 18 19 20 26 29 34 Black grouse (lekking males) 104 151 189 174 141 170 Black-tailed godwit L l limosa 46 50 43 43 43 46 Common scoter (females) 11 14 10 10 12 11 Corncrake (calling males) 242 266 294 240 289 330 Crane 0 0 1-2 2 2 3 Hen harrier (nests)1 53 - - 43 56 59 Lapwing (on lowland wet grassland) 1,311 1,366 1,392 1,458 1,500 1,650 Redshank (on lowland wet grassland) 1,070 1,128 1,180 1,196 1,192 1,300 Spotted crake (calling males) 10 13 14 12 12 10 Stone-curlew 7 7 6 10 12 20 Woodlark1 38 51 53 50 50 38

Species making unsatisfactory progress towards the ambitious 2012 target: Black-necked grebe 0 1 0 1 0 5 Capercaillie (lekking males) 48 39 47 41 32 60 Chough 31 34 37 34 33 40 Cirl bunting 0 0 0 0 0 1 Dartford warbler1 139 108 ca 125* ca 147* ca 85* 165 Golden oriole 2 2 3 2 2 4 Little tern 191 127 137 113 122 191 Nightjar (churring males)1 71 75 68 65 59 71 Red-necked phalarope (males) 18 12 8 6 11 18 Slavonian grebe 2 2 3 4 4 2** Snipe (on lowland wet grassland) (drumming males) 542 579 495 565 568 700

Species not monitored regularly: Crested tit ca 200 - - - - ca 200 Scottish crossbill (individuals) - - - 23 - - Whimbrel 10 - >8 8 - 10

Note: Figures are pairs except where stated otherwise and do not include land acquired since 2005. Scottish crossbills and crested tits are not monitored annually on RSPB reserves.

1Target revised due to changes in the recording area. The revision is described in full in RSPB Reserves 2009.

* Includes estimates of the numbers at Arne, because numbers are not surveyed across the whole of the reserve. ** Even though we are achieving the target for Slavonian grebes on the RSPB-managed sections of Loch Ruthven, we have still classified Slavonian grebe as giving serious cause for concern. This is because birds nesting on this RSPB-managed section of the loch are likely to be under the same pressures as birds nesting elsewhere on the loch, and this wider population on the loch is in rapid decline. 20 RESERVES AND WILDLIFE – A REVIEW OF 2009

• Cranes bred successfully at Lakenheath Fen for the first time in 2009. Two pairs nested (the same as in 2008), and fledged one young. This is the first time that cranes have bred successfully in the Fens for 400 years. Cranes now appear to be established as a Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) breeding species at Lakenheath Fen. There is the potential for wild cranes to breed at other RSPB reserves in Eastern England. Introduction of cranes is going to take place in the Levels and Moors, in the Great Cranes partnership project with The Adult male black grouse displaying at a lek. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and Pensthorpe Conservation Trust funded by Viridor Credits. grassland), black-tailed godwit why breeding was so (limosa race), redshank (on lowland unsuccessful in 2009. • At Minsmere, stone-curlews wet grassland) and woodlark. increased on the arable reversion • Black grouse have increased over area from three pairs in 2008 to • Numbers of breeding bitterns recent years at Lake Vyrnwy and four pairs in 2009. There was an increased in 2009 at our two Geltsdale since the beginning of unexpected fifth pair on an area of longest-established reedbed the RCS, almost certainly because conifer plantation that we felled in creation sites. At Ham Wall, there of habitat management. However, winter 2008/09. Several of the were three booming bitterns and there was a drop in the number breeding stone-curlews at an amazing six to seven nests in of lekking males at both sites in Minsmere are birds that have 2009. Bitterns first nested at 2009. This was probably because been reared there. The reserve Ham Wall in 2008 (two boomers of two poor successive breeding supported five out of the seven and two nests). At Lakenheath seasons caused by wet summer breeding pairs on the Suffolk Fen, bitterns increased from two weather. Productivity at Geltsdale coast in 2009, and fledged seven boomers in 2008 to four boomers looks to have been much better out of the nine young reared. (with four nests) in 2009. Bitterns in 2009. first boomed at Lakenheath Fen Species making unsatisfactory in 2008. • There was a further increase in the progress towards achieving reintroduced population of their 2012 targets • Given the further increase in corncrakes at the Nene Washes. numbers of bitterns in 2009, it There were 13 calling corncrakes Eleven species are making was disappointing that bitterns on the RSPB Nene Washes unsatisfactory progress towards suffered a third successive year reserve (compared to nine in 2008 achieving their 2012 RCS targets. of poor productivity at Minsmere, and three in 2007), and a total of These are Slavonian grebe, the previous two being caused 23 calling birds on the whole of the black-necked grebe, capercaillie, snipe by catastrophic late spring and Nene Washes. Of these 23 calling (on lowland wet grassland), red-necked summer flooding. Although there males in 2009, five were zoo-bred phalarope, little tern, nightjar, Dartford were 10-11 boomers at birds released as adults in May warbler, golden oriole, chough and cirl Minsmere in 2009, there were 2009. The other 18 were wild and bunting. Slavonian grebe is giving only three nests. It is unclear zoo-bred birds from previous years. particular cause for concern. RESERVES AND WILDLIFE – A REVIEW OF 2009 21 David Norton (rspb-images.com) • Although numbers of lekking male capercaillie declined at Abernethy for the second year running, they had good numbers of chicks in 2009 (an estimated 37 chicks from 29 females). This is the highest level of productivity since 1996, and follows two years of virtually zero productivity. We hope that, the good breeding success in 2009 will lead to a recovery in numbers. Habitat management and predator control continue at Abernethy to benefit capercaillies. This work is aimed at increasing productivity in years when the weather Dartford warblers are affected by hard winters. They declined in 2009 is suitable. and are expected to have declined further in 2010.

• Total numbers of breeding snipe on our principal lowland wet work to restore control of water • Numbers of breeding Dartford grassland reserves have levels also coincided with this warblers have, so far, failed to remained fairly stable in recent upturn in fortunes. increase on reserves as intended, years, but they have not and declined dramatically in 2009 increased as intended. The • A success in 2009 was that little following the first hard winter maintenance of a more or less terns nested on two new areas of since the mid-1990s. stable population on reserves as shingle provided for them at a whole is in contrast to the Langstone Harbour. These have • Slavonian grebes declined further collapse of the breeding snipe been created to provide nesting at Loch Ruthven, despite numbers populations across the rest of the areas that are above the height of remaining stable at the reserve lowlands. Numbers of breeding high tides. The other areas of end of the loch. No young were snipe have increased at newly- suitable nesting habitat at reared on the loch for the second created areas of wet grassland Langstone Harbour are usually year running. The number of young on peat soils (Ouse Washes Pilot flooded by high tides. Forty-five produced in a given year is Project fields and Greylake). The pairs of little terns nested there in reflected in the number of adult large populations of breeding 2009 (compared to 11 in 2008 and pairs settling to breed the following snipe are faring well at the Nene 17 in 2007), but unfortunately year, giving us even more cause for Washes, Loch Gruinart and West they had low breeding success, concern in future. In 2009, Loch Sedgemoor. Snipe also bred fledging an estimated five young. Ruthven supported nine out of the successfully at the Ouse Washes, The reasons for this low 23 pairs of breeding Slavonian where they have been washed productivity are unclear. grebes in the UK. out by spring/summer flooding during the previous two years. • For the second year running little Species not monitored in 2009 terns did not breed at • Numbers of male red-necked Hodbarrow. They abandoned the Crested tits, Scottish crossbills and phalaropes recovered on Fetlar site in 2008, following an whimbrels were not monitored across (from two in 2008 to six in 2009) increase in numbers of nesting all of the area of RSPB reserves on following clearance of existing large gulls, displaced from a which they occurred in 2009. pools and creation of new pools nearby colony where they were in two mire systems. Off-site causing a nuisance. 22 RESERVES AND WILDLIFE – A REVIEW OF 2009

Land acquisition

During 2008/09, 1,931 ha were Our supporters added to RSPB landholdings. This In 2008-09, we received £2,127,325 The Countryside Council for Wales comprised four new reserves, in grants for land acquisition. Grants (CCW) granted £15,000 towards a totalling 108 ha (5.5% of the total) totalling £819,000 were received purchase at Malltraeth Marsh. and 22 extensions at 22 reserves, from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Mitigation money received by totalling 1,823 ha (94.5% of the for and Ynys Hir. The County Council, for land lost to a total). On 1 April 2009, the RSPB Environment Agency and Natural bypass, was granted to help us managed 142,044 ha at 206 reserves. England granted £440,000 for Lydden purchase land at Labrador Bay. The new reserves were: Valley and Hesketh Out Marsh, while • Labrador Bay, Devon (arable and £265,000 was received from There were also a number of private dry grassland for cirl buntings) Grantscape for Lydden Valley and donations, particularly at Forsinard • Meikle Loch, (open Arne. The Northern Ireland and Geltsdale, and a members’ water and fringe habitats) Environment Agency (NIEA) granted appeal to purchase land at Lydden • Ardmore, Isle of Skye (improved £135,000 for Rathlin Island. Scottish Valley. We are grateful to all our grassland for chough) Natural Heritage (SNH) contributed supporters, and a comprehensive • Bogside Flats, Ayrshire (coastal £189,750 to purchases at Meikle list is published in the RSPB grassland for wildfowl and waders). Loch, Bogside Flats and Forsinard. Annual Review.

Labrador Bay, where we are managing hedgerows to support cirl buntings. Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) RESERVES AND WILDLIFE – A REVIEW OF 2009 23

Condition of RSPB-managed SSSIs/ASSIs

Almost three-quarters of the land CCW have yet to report fully on the affecting that feature either across managed by the RSPB carries the condition of all SSSIs in Wales. No part of or the whole ASSI. Of the 74 Site/Area of Special Scientific Interest comprehensive data from CCW of ornithological features at the whole (SSSI/ASSI) designation, reflecting the condition of features on reserves ASSI level, at ASSIs containing RSPB the high wildlife value of our is therefore available. reserves, 76.6% were assessed as reserve network. being in Favourable Condition. The condition data provided by NIEA In England, 22,351 ha (84.6%) of is for ornithological features only and 26,398 ha of SSSI land managed by is based on feature condition at the the RSPB are in Favourable Condition whole ASSI level. Condition or Unfavourable-Recovering assessments are not carried out for Condition, a slight fall on the previous land in individual management units. year due to the acquisition of SSSI Where features are in Unfavourable land in Unfavourable Condition. Condition this may be due to Remedies have now been agreed management outside of the RSPB with Natural England for all 3.6 ha reserve elsewhere on the ASSI, (0.01%) of the area of SSSI land or may be due to off-site factors which is in Unfavourable Condition, and for which we are responsible.

Off-site factors are responsible for declining seabird numbers at David Kjaer (rspb-images.com) In Wales, Northern Ireland and reserve. Scotland, SSSIs/ASSIs are assessed by features, not by area. As at November 2009, of 843 features assessed, 682 (81%) were assessed as being Favourable or Unfavourable- Recovering Condition. The 161 features assessed in Scotland as being Unfavourable-Declining or Unfavourable-No-Change include a large number not in RSPB management control. This reflects, in particular, the large number of breeding seabird SSSI and SPA features on our reserve holdings in Scotland, as well as a more widespread attribution of Unfavourable Condition of bird features to influences with no “on- site” remedy. Taking this into account, 91% of the features we are responsible for are now in Favourable Condition. We are now working with SNH to develop a package of remedies that need to be implemented both on and off reserves in Scotland. 24 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Four pairs of stone-curlews bred on restored habitat at Minsmere in 2009. RSPB RESERVES 2010 25

Protecting threatened birds

RSPB reserves are very effective at conserving bird species with small UK populations breeding in localised habitats. Over the last half-century, RSPB reserves have played an important part in preventing the extinction of several UK breeding birds (such as marsh harriers and Dartford warblers) and in greatly aiding the impressive recovery of others (such as bitterns, avocets and corncrakes). Most of the bird species that breed on RSPB reserves in numbers important for the UK have either increased or remained stable on reserves since 1990. 26 Gwyn Williams (RSPB)

Water levels have been managed in the Pilot Project to give damp soils without extensive flooding.

Replacing Ouse Washes habitats

The Ouse Washes (2,400 ha) were created in the 17th century as a flood storage area protecting farmland adjacent to the River Great Ouse in the Fens. Today, the Washes support internationally- important numbers of wintering and breeding waterfowl, and are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA), a Ramsar site and part of the area is a candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC). But now, the increased incidence of late spring flooding has damaged this interest, so the provision of replacement habitat is required.

AUTHOR: GRAHAM HIRONS, CHIEF ECOLOGIST PROTECTING THREATENED BIRDS 27

Since the mid-1970s, the incidence of nine species of damp-tolerant Numbers of breeding waders have late spring floods on the Ouse grasses. By July 2004, the majority increased steadily since 2005. The Washes has increased, flooding out of sown grass species had peak for lapwings and snipe has been wading bird and wildfowl nests, and germinated well to produce a full 22 pairs and for redshanks was 16 reducing productivity. This has led to cover of mixed grasses. pairs. The average density of these declines of important breeding species combined since 2003 has species, especially snipe and Grassland management been 0.7 pairs per ha increasing to black-tailed godwits. To manage the grass for breeding 1.25 pairs per ha in 2009. The 2009 waders, the Pilot Project fields have figure is equivalent to the best RSPB In 2001, we leased six fields (44 ha) been grazed by cattle between May wet grassland reserves and was four alongside the Ouse Washes at and mid-November. In the years the times greater than the density on the Manea from County sward was monitored, its target Ouse Washes themselves (0.32 pairs Council, to trial the conversion of height of 10-15 cm in mid-May was per ha), even though the Washes arable land to wet grassland suitable reached in the second half of April were in their best condition since for breeding waders adversely and the height increased rapidly 2003. affected by spring flooding. The trial thereafter, reaching 25-35 cm by became known as the “Pilot Project”. mid-May. This was mainly due to the There was also a significant positive rapid growth of cock’s-foot and relationship between the number of The aim of the Pilot Project was to timothy grass. breeding waders per field for replicate the hydrological regime of individual fields and the percentage peatland wet grassland reserves Hydrological conditions of the field with a water table managed for breeding waders in the Water tables have been kept below within 30 cm of the surface. Netherlands. This required water 30 cm in January and February and tables to be kept high from March to so, as intended, there has been very Food availability June to improve the availability of little surface flooding. The area of Soil macro-invertebrates were soil invertebrates, but without surface water during the wader sampled in Pilot Project fields and for producing extensive surface flooding breeding season has been around 7%. comparison, in an adjacent field on which reduces their number. Achieving this required a network of In most years, water tables in March in-field ditches or furrows, rather like have been 20-30 cm below the (rspb-images.com) Laurie Campbell the ridge and furrow systems seen surface rather than the target in ancient agricultural fields, but 10-15 cm below, making it difficult to without the ridge. The ditches enable maintain high water tables into the water to be distributed to create a breeding season, even when high water table across the field, abstracted water is applied. This and allow water to be drained off to meant that the target of having prevent water logging. Rainfall is not >70% of the area with the water sufficient to keep the water table table no more than 30 cm below the high, so the Environment Agency surface was achieved only in April granted an abstraction licence and half the years in May. (86,000 m3) for the period from 1 March to 31 May. Breeding waders The target for Year 5 of the project Converting arable to wet onwards was an overall density of grassland breeding waders of >0.5 pairs per ha In 2002, 12.4 km of furrows (equivalent to 23-27 pairs in total, 40-50 cm deep were created using a including 3-5 pairs of breeding black- rotary ditcher. The fields were then tailed godwits) in years when the The rapid growth of modern grass cultivars makes short grass for breeding cultivated and sown with a mix of Ouse Washes were flooded. waders hard to achieve. 28 PROTECTING THREATENED BIRDS

similar soil that has been allowed to revert naturally from arable to grassland since 1994 (the Car Park Field). By 2007, the biomass of Jeff Kew (RSPB) Kew Jeff invertebrates in all the Pilot Project fields was similar to those in the Car Park Field and comparable to unflooded areas of grassland at other lowland wet grassland sites that support high densities of breeding waders.

Lessons learned The results from the Pilot Project demonstrate that on peat soils, it is feasible to create wet grassland with water tables maintained within 30 cm of the field surface, using a series of field ditches. This is only possible if sufficient supplementary water is available in the spring, either from abstraction or the storage of excess winter rainfall.

Modern cultivars of some grass species should not have been included in the original seed mix, given the fertile nature of peat soils with a history of arable cultivation. This, when combined with a high On the whole of Ouse Washes SPA, breeding black-tailed godwits water table and warm April sun, have declined from 70 pairs in the 1970s, to 3-4 pairs in 2009. results in vigorous grass growth that produces a taller sward than is ideal for breeding waders. Grazing Breeding wader density at the Pilot Project in relation to the area intensity has to be sufficient to with a water table within 30 cm of surface in mid-April. counteract grass growth as spring progresses. However, grazing can only be introduced to fields with a 1.4 high density of breeding waders after 2009 1.2 most nests have hatched to minimise 1.0 2008 nest trampling.

0.8 Most of the targets set at the outset 0.6 2007 2006 of the project have been reached, but 0.4 2004 the key target species, black-tailed 0.2 godwit, has not yet bred. When the 2005 project was conceived, godwits still

Breeding wader density (pairs/ha) wader Breeding 0 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 bred on the adjacent washlands. Area with high water table (ha) However, since 2003, godwits have PROTECTING THREATENED BIRDS 29

Targets and outcomes for the Pilot Project. Targets for sward height and structure have proved hardest to achieve and also extending high water tables late into the breeding season.

Achieved? Species outcomes Target (2006 onwards) 2006 2007 2008 2009

Breeding black-tailed godwits 3-5 pairs in 3 out of four years when water in No No No No Delph above retention level on 1 May

Black-tailed godwit productivity Above level needed to maintain stable No No No No population (0.785 chicks per pair)

Other breeding waders Overall density >0.5 pairs per ha1 in years when Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s water in Delph above retention level on 1 May

Attribute Ta rg e t 1

Vegetation composition and Sward comprises > 90% fine grasses ? 2-3 ? 2-3 structure fields fields Median sward height is 10-15cm in mid-May No No No? No?

Invertebrate biomass >20 g per m2 in May-June ?Yes??

Hydrology Percent flooding is <15% winter, <10% Apr–Jun Ye s Ye s Ye s Ye s Water table depth 20-30 cm Mar–Jun over 70% Until Until Until ?3 of site when water is available mid- mid- mid- May May May?2

1 The desired condition of attributes known to be important for breeding waders. 2 No data for May 3 No data for April or May bred only at Welney (3-4 pairs between the Environment Agency, Agency and Natural England for their annually), 16 km northeast of the Natural England, the RSPB and financial support. Professor Gordon Pilot Project. Cambridgeshire County Council. Spoor provided the hydrological advice, We are grateful to the Environment which proved to be uncannily accurate. The future The UK Government has now accepted the legal obligation to address the deterioration of the Ouse Biomass densities (± 1 SE) of soil macro-invertebrates in 2007 in the Washes as an internationally-important Pilot Project fields and the Car Park Field. CP = Car Park Field, F1, F2, wildlife site, which has resulted from F3a, F3b, F4, F5a, F5b and F6 are the Pilot Project Field numbers. their primary function of flood defence. The lowest and wettest fields had the lowest invertebrate biomass. The Ouse Washes Habitat Creation Scheme will create 600-700 ha of new 140 ) wet grassland in the Fens for breeding 2 120 black-tailed godwits, snipe and over- 100 wintering wigeons, the key bird species in the SPA that are being 80 adversely affected. The design, 60 creation and management of the new 40 wet grassland will be based on the 20 lessons learned at the Pilot Project. Biomass density (g per m 0 CP F1 F2 F3a F3b F4 F5a F5b F6 Thanks to: 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 2007 The Pilot Project is a partnership Field & Year 30 Niall Benvie (rspb-images.com)Niall Benvie

Kittiwakes have declined by over 50% at Flamborough Head in the last 20 years, due to changes in the marine environment.

Seabirds at Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs SPA

The seabirds at Bempton Cliffs, Flamborough Head, form part of the largest seabird colony and only gannetry in England. Over the past decade, several seabird species have been declining at an alarming rate in the UK. At Bempton Cliffs, the internationally-important population of breeding kittiwakes has declined by over 50% in the last 20 years.

AUTHORS: RUTH PORTER, SEABIRD RESEARCH OFFICER, BEMPTON CLIFFS AND KEITH CLARKSON, EAST COAST RESERVES AREA MANAGER PROTECTING THREATENED BIRDS 31 David Broadbent (rspb-images.com)

The decline in seabirds can, in part, be explained by surface sea temperature rises leading to changes in the distribution and abundance of plankton communities at the base of the marine food web. These changes have significantly reduced the number and size of sandeels, the main prey species for many seabirds – surface feeders like kittiwakes are suffering. This situation is exacerbated by the impacts of fisheries and other activities such as dredging, aggregate extraction and other forms of development in the marine environment.

At such a volatile time it is critical we do everything we can to safeguard our seabirds. The requirement to create a network of marine protected areas by 2012 as Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive, and Marine Conservation Zones under the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009, should go some way towards achieving this.

To protect our seabirds, we need to Bempton Cliffs, home to over 12,000 nesting seabirds. have a comprehensive understanding of the changes in our seabird populations and the factors driving Monitoring the colony In contrast to some of the other these changes. Bempton Cliffs and In 2008, the RSPB and Natural seabird species, the gannet colony the wider Flamborough Head area England established a monitoring has been regularly counted on our have been identified as one of a small and research programme at reserve at Bempton since the late number of seabird colonies in the UK Flamborough Head and Bempton 1960s, and this has documented its where we can extensively monitor Cliffs Special Protection Area (SPA) incredible growth. In 2009, 7,859 these changes. Until recently, most of and a whole colony count was Apparently Occupied Sites (AOS) our research and monitoring has completed. Over a 50-hour period, were recorded, an increase from focused on that short period when the 178 sections were counted by 2,552 AOS in 1999 and just 21 in birds come to land to breed, but now boat, with at least two observers 1969. At the time of the count, thanks to advances in technology we at all times. A colony of this size over 23,000 gannets, including can also use electronic tags to identify cannot be counted every year, due non-breeders and young birds, critically important foraging, migration to costs and availability of were present at the colony. and wintering areas as well. Together, observers. We aim to count the this information will help us identify whole colony every five years, in Razorbills and guillemots also showed key marine protected areas and help line with SPA and Site of Special healthy increases in the 2008 results – us fight planning applications that Scientific Interest (SSSI) monitoring a different trend to many other seabird threaten our seabirds. requirements. colonies in the UK. Unfortunately, 32 PROTECTING THREATENED BIRDS

Populations of seabirds at Flamborough Head recorded in the Productivity in 2009 national seabird survey (fledged chicks per pair)

90,000 Fulmar 0.51 Gannet 0.86 80,000 Herring gull 1.29 70,000 Kittiwake 0.97 Razorbill 0.60 60,000 Guillemot 0.78 50,000 Kittiwake Guillemot there were not increases for every 40,000 Razorbill species, and the most worrying

30,000 decline is the kittiwake. Seabird populations Seabird 20,000 Since the national survey in 2000, 10,000 the colony has declined by more than 5,800 Apparently Occupied Nests 0 (AON), to 37,617 AON in 2008. Since 1969 1987 2000 2008 Year 1987, the number of pairs of breeding Shag kittiwakes has declined by 56%. Fulmar Shags, fulmars, herring gulls and Herring gull puffins have also declined in the SPA. 3000 Puffin

2000 Count plots have now been established throughout the colony for 1000 guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes. These plots will be monitored annually 0

Seabird populations Seabird to detect any changes that might be 1969 1987 2000 2008 Year occurring throughout the colony. In addition, the breeding success of gannets, kittiwakes, fulmars, Razorbills have been increasing at Bempton Cliffs, almost doubling guillemots, razorbills and herring gulls in number in the last 10 years. was monitored in 2009. Birds within the plots were followed from incubation through to fledging chicks. It was very intensive and required a team of dedicated volunteers to accurately follow the fledging success

Edwin Kats (rspb-images.com)Edwin Kats for each species.

In 2009, diet study work identified prey species being fed to guillemot chicks by the adults and calculated a daily provisioning rate. Results recorded adult guillemots providing 3.13 feeds per chick per day, and the most common prey species being fed to chicks were sprat (59%), sandeel (26%) and gadoid (2%), with 13% being unidentified. PROTECTING THREATENED BIRDS 33 Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)

Overall, 2009 breeding success was good for all species, and diet study results and general observations indicated that there were no obvious signs of starvation.

A pilot study research project to establish foraging patterns began in 2009. Five kittiwakes had a GPS tag attached for 24 hours to track their exact location every 10-30 seconds. Unfortunately, only one tag was successfully retrieved; the others were removed before the birds were recaptured. The results from the tag retrieved were very interesting. The bird had flown for about 4 hours to the Dogger Bank around 150 km away, where it appeared to engage in foraging activity for at least an hour and a half. Kittiwakes usually forage on average at distances of around 40 km. The data from this single bird raises questions about why it had flown Bempton Cliffs now has the largest population so far to forage for food: is it an of gannets on the UK mainland. indication of poor food supply locally or is the availability of food at Dogger Bank so good and dependable that the bird made Trend in northern gannet breeding population at Flambough Head a special effort to fly this distance? (including the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs)

The seabird monitoring and research 9000 programme secured funding from 8000

Natural England for another year of data 7000 collection in 2010, repeating 6000 the breeding success and count plot monitoring, diet study work 5000 and hopefully tagging a further 30 4000 kittiwakes to inform our understanding of 3000 foraging patterns by the birds at Number of nest sites 2000 Flamborough Head. All of these data contribute to our understanding of the 1000 wider picture, informing our 0 management of the colony and our 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Year future protection measures at sea. *The RSPB reserve Bempton Cliffs is around 5 km of the Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs SPA (16 km). The whole colony counts cover the Thanks to: whole SPA, not just at Bempton Cliffs (although only a few gannets nest Rural Development Plan for England outside of the reserve). Coast, Wolds, Wetlands and Waterways LEADER and Natural England. 90 34 Ray Kennedy (rspb-images.com) Kennedy Ray

Nest hatching success for lapwings is four times higher in areas protected by electric fences, than in adjacent unfenced areas, on RSPB wet grassland reserves.

Anti-predator fencing: protecting breeding waders

Predation of nests and chicks of waders can significantly reduce productivity. Evidence we have collected using nest cameras shows that foxes are the major cause of wader nest predation in wet grassland. We are currently trialling a number of different techniques for reducing fox predation on important breeding wader populations at a number of lowland wet grassland reserves.

AUTHOR: ROSALIND KENNERLEY, RESERVES ECOLOGIST PROTECTING THREATENED BIRDS 35

Anti-predator fences are one of the equipment. Following the fate of a Future work methods being tested at sites where nest is relatively straightforward, but Four RSPB reserves have been used in a low nest survival has been working out whether chicks survive this study, and three more have fences in recorded and where foxes are to fledging is more difficult. Lapwing place to be monitored in 2010. If we believed to be the dominant cause of chicks leave the nest shortly after continue to have success using the nest loss. By excluding foxes, we hatching and can wander widely, so electric fences, the next phase of the aim to improve nest survival, we need to use radio transmitters project will be to protect larger areas of increase the number of chicks on chicks to be able to remotely habitat. Although foxes have been the fledging and ultimately boost small monitor them. primary predator we aim to exclude, we or threatened populations. are also using designs to exclude other Results so far mammalian predators, such as badgers. Lapwings, redshanks and snipe are To date, results have been very priority species for the RSPB, which promising, with the fences proving There is clearly more research and we specifically aim to increase on effective barriers. Nests within fenced monitoring still to be done, but it is lowland wet grassland reserves. On a areas have a hatching success of hoped that this management technique small number of reserves where the about 78%, which is significantly will help to boost wader populations at a habitat is in Favourable Condition, higher than the 18% recorded for number of our key sites. bird populations are continuing to unprotected areas on the same decrease or recovery is prevented reserves. This increased nest survival Thanks to: due to high levels of predation of helps us to achieve our target of a Reserve staff and volunteers for the eggs and chicks. This is a particular minimum hatching success of 45% at upkeep of fences and lapwing monitoring, problem for small isolated our lowland wet grassland reserves. and to Natural England and Defra, who populations that are on the brink of We have also recorded higher have helped with the construction costs extinction, for example, lapwings on fledging rates of chicks at most sites. of some of these fences. the Somerset Levels.

Fence designs

Several different fence types are Ros Kennerley (RSPB) being assessed, all of which use electrical wires in their design and follow guidelines used elsewhere. Electric fences work by giving the animal an unpleasant, but non-lethal, shock, which should deter the animal from attempting to cross it again. Constructing a fence can be a costly The electric fences at Greylake are relatively inconspicuous. option, so areas of prime habitat and/or with high nesting densities are Comparison of lapwing hatching success in fenced/unfenced areas of wet grassland. usually chosen. Bars show ± one standard error. 90

Monitoring efficacy of fences 80 The trials of this work have been 70 UK-wide, and include reserves in 60

England, Wales and Northern 50 Target for hatching success

Ireland. Our ecologists and reserve 40 staff have been studying the survival 30 of nests of lapwings inside and Hatching success (%) Hatching 20 outside fenced areas, using 10 specialist nest cameras and other 0 Unfenced Fenced 36 Steve Knell (rspb-images.com)

Red-necked phalarope

Red-necked phalaropes on Fetlar

Although a relatively common wading bird globally, with over 4 million pairs estimated worldwide and a very large world range, red-necked phalaropes are one of Britain’s rarest breeding birds. Fewer than 50 pairs regularly breed here and the island of Fetlar is the main focus of the RSPB’s efforts to save this beautiful little bird from extinction in the UK.

AUTHOR: DOUG GILBERT, RESERVES ECOLOGIST PROTECTING THREATENED BIRDS 37 Doug Gilbert (RSPB) Red-necked phalaropes breed in the northern tundra of Eurasia and North America, extending well north of the 70o line of latitude in Western Greenland and Russian Siberia. In Europe, Iceland is the main stronghold (200,000 pairs) with Norway, Sweden and Finland also holding secure populations. The UK has a tiny Mires of Funzie, where phalaropes bred in 2009 following lowering population at the southern edge of this of the water levels. breeding range.

Red-necked phalaropes are unusual for was dumped on previously phalaropes on Fetlar was a direct waders in that they spend the majority disturbed ground to reduce the impact result of RSPB management of our of their non-breeding lives at sea, west on mire vegetation. The water level in reserve mires, there is a strong of South America and in the Arabian the adjoining Loch of Funzie, a suggestion that more phalaropes Sea, feeding on tiny food particles favourite feeding and courtship site, attempted to breed in 2009 because taken from the surface. Their breeding was also lowered to previous levels, on-site conditions had improved. The habitat in the UK, as elsewhere, having been kept artificially high by successful breeding on Mires of consists of small boggy mires and tractor ruts in recent years. Funzie is particularly pleasing and stony pools. Here they feed on small does look like a direct response. We flies (including midges) and other Lack of grazing has been a long-term hope that continuing effort at invertebrates. The nest is usually in a problem on the Fetlar reserve mires, managing other key breeding sites grassy tussock close by. Unusually for as they are very wet and can be into 2010 and beyond will reinforce birds, females do little except lay the hazardous for cattle. Negotiations this boost to the population. The eggs, while males take over all began with two farmers over a cattle grazing trial has been a success incubating and chick rearing duties. scheme to introduce grazing to the on three mires and looks set to mires using the Shetland breed of continue in the longer term – a great The population of phalaropes has cattle – and we all crossed our step forward in the conservation varied over the years, but in 2008 fingers… management of these sites. they hit a worrying low point at 16 breeding males, just two males Grazing was started in October 2009. The RSPB continues to support above the all time low of 1989. The response of the phalaropes management for this beautiful and returning to Fetlar in May and June enigmatic bird. As a tiny population at A meeting of RSPB staff involved with 2009 was immediate. The number of the edge of its range in Europe, likely phalaropes took place in the autumn of males breeding there nearly doubled to be affected by climate change and 2008 and a plan to put additional from seven to 13, with three of these subject to changes in ocean currents resources into management for this birds on the newly-managed mires. On on the other side of the world, red- species was agreed. In early 2009, the Mires of Funzie, where we have a necked phalaropes could be regarded diggers went in at two key sites and public viewing hide, phalaropes bred as a lost cause as a breeding bird in work was undertaken to open up for the first time since 2005. In the UK. We believe that, with good further scrapes and pools at Mires of addition, the number of chicks raised management of our reserves, we can Funzie and one other site. Previous was also up on 2008 from four to 12. maximise their resilience to these research has suggested that long, In the UK as a whole, the numbers of factors, helping phalaropes to remain narrow pools work well for phalaropes, breeding attempts increased from 16 a part of our rich biodiversity into as they are relatively sheltered from to 26 with the increase on Fetlar the future. strong winds and provide a large edge contributing substantially to this. for birds to forage along. Where Thanks to: possible, the pools were given wavy Although we have to be cautious in Scottish Natural Heritage. edges to further improve the habitat. suggesting that the increase in 38

At Middleton Lakes, young scrub has been removed from the heart of the reserve to open up the wetland habitat for breeding waders and wildfowl. Allen Cook (RSPB) RSPB RESERVES 2010 39

Restoring lost habitats

The main cause of loss of biodiversity in the last century has been destruction of habitat. RSPB nature reserves conserve more than 5% of the UK resource of native Caledonian pine, reedbed, deep peat blanket bog, wet grassland and brackish , and also significant areas of lowland heath and intertidal habitats. Nature reserves allow the re-creation of lost habitats in the areas from which they have disappeared, or their creation in new areas. The RSPB has been particularly active in creating and restoring reedbeds, wet grasslands and heathlands which are important habitats for birds, and in so doing has contributed significantly to UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets for these habitats. 40 Michael Copleston (RSPB) Michael

The reed turves are placed at the right height to keep them damp, but discourage grazing by geese during the establishment phase at Langford Lowfields.

Opportunities after mineral extraction

The opportunity to create new habitats in partnership with minerals operators is a rapidly growing part of the RSPB’s work, particularly across the Midlands. The Nature After Minerals project, a partnership between the RSPB and Natural England, is working with mineral operators and planners around England to promote the potential that former mineral sites, such as quarries, have for the creation of new habitats and restoration for biodiversity. Identifying potential sites and developing restoration schemes is helping to achieve major gains for Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitats and species. Reserves such as Langford Lowfields, Ouse Fen and Middleton Lakes are great examples of where these partnerships are working.

AUTHORS: MICHAEL COPLESTON, WARDEN, LANGFORD LOWFIELDS; NICK MARTIN, PROJECT MANAGER, MIDDLETON LAKES AND CHRIS HUDSON, WARDEN, OUSE FEN HANSON-RSPB WETLAND PROJECT RESTORING LOST HABITATS 41

Reedbed is establishing well at Langford Lowfields. Michael Copleston (RSPB) Langford Lowfields At Langford Lowfields, we are working with Tarmac to create the largest reedbed in the East Midlands at a sand and gravel quarry just outside Newark, .

The partnership aims to create a 175 ha wetland reserve with over 75 ha of reedbed, which will support important populations of bitterns, bearded tits and water voles.

Langford Lowfields is at the heart of the RSPB’s vision for the Trent and Tame Futurescape, with the river linking up a series of key conservation areas Michael Copleston (RSPB) and migration routes along the Trent The well-developed reedbed is used to source turves to introduce reed to wildlife corridor. the newly restored landform.

Over 30 ha of new reedbed has already been created through the latest land-forming and reed establishment techniques. The project’s success relies on close co-operation between quarry management and engineering contractors employed by Tarmac and guidance from our staff.

A shared vision and close working practice have resulted in the creation of a reedbed with a diversity of features; such as scalloped reed edges for nesting passerines, varied underwater topography that creates vital fish Marsh harriers can already be seen hunting over the reedbed. Richard Brooks (rspb-images.com) refuges, and isolated pools for amphibians in the heart of the reedbed.

George Elliot, restoration manager at Tarmac comments: “This is a very exciting project, owing to the significant size of the reedbed we’re creating and the particular circumstances of the site which made it ideal for this type of restoration.”

Over 30 volunteers help manage the reserve, with tasks that include 42 RESTORING LOST HABITATS

wildlife surveying, planting over wagtails have all bred. Bitterns and Environment Agency. The braiding, 100,000 reed seedlings, and bearded tits are occasional visitors which extends through almost a removing invasive scrub and willow. and marsh harriers made their first kilometre of the Tame, has brought nesting attempt in 2009. Water voles many planners and other mineral The results of the work so far have and otters are also present. operators to see it. been really exciting. Marsh harriers have been using the site throughout This year will see implementation of Improvements since we took the seasons and the reserve’s very the first phase of the visitor plan, to possession of the reserve have first bittern last winter was a create 30 km of access routes included the creation of islands for welcome sight. through this fenland landscape. breeding waders and the formation of a new 10 ha reedbed with ambitions Ouse Fen Middleton Lakes for breeding bitterns. Middleton Lakes A partnership between Hanson and At Middleton Lakes on the is expected to open to the public the RSPB at Needingworth Quarry – border, by 2011. will, over the 30-year lifespan of the the RSPB has been working with project, create a 700 ha wetland Hanson to restore 160 ha of river The future nature reserve in Cambridgeshire. A Tame floodplain that was, until 2007, Working with mineral operators such patchwork of open water, grasslands a working gravel quarry. The purchase as Hanson, Lafarge, Tarmac and and scrub, it will include 460 ha of of the site from Hanson followed a Cemex is likely to continue to reedbed, amounting to some 40% of partnership between the RSPB and increase. In regions where there is the current UK BAP target, and Hanson to revise a longstanding huge pressure on land, restoring habitat for up to 20 booming bitterns. restoration scheme and seek mineral workings can be one of the approval from the minerals planners most effective ways of increasing the Since the first landforming in 2003 in both counties. The joint proposal area of natural habitats. The RSPB and 80,000 reed plants later, 60 ha of was so compelling that Staffordshire and Natural England, with support restoration towards reedbed is County Council gifted half of the site from the Mineral Products complete, with a further 25 ha in to the RSPB, trusting that we could Association, promote these progress. meet both ambitious habitat and opportunities through the Nature visitor targets. After Minerals programme, such as Populations of a number of reedbed ensuring that the restoration of passerines and waterfowl have The restoration has included novel quarries for biodiversity is increased, and water rails, garganeys, river braiding created from a incorporated early in the planning grasshopper warblers and yellow partnership between Hanson and the process, maximising the benefits for people and wildlife.

Otters are using the restored wetland habitat at Ouse Fen. Thanks to: Defra’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund administered through Natural England, EC LIFE Nature, Hanson Aggregates Ltd (Heidelberg Cement Group), Heritage Lottery Fund, SITA Trust and Tarmac Ltd. Niall Benvie (rspb-images.com)Niall Benvie

The Nature After Minerals project is a partnership between the RSPB and Natural England, funded through Defra’s Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund. RESTORING LOST HABITATS 43 Chris Hudson (RSPB)

Part of Ouse Fen, which should eventually become the largest reedbed in England. 44 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Nigg Bay, where managed realignment has been used to extend the area of saltmarsh and mudflat, for the first time in Scotland.

Nigg Bay Coastal Realignment Project: seven years on

The intertidal habitats of the Firth in the north of Scotland are internationally important for the waterbird populations that spend the winter there. The RSPB has been involved in the since the 1970s, and first acquired land at Nigg Bay in 1991. In 2001, we were able to acquire an additional area of land behind the sea wall at nearby Meddat, which was suitable for managed coastal realignment.

AUTHORS: STEPH ELLIOTT, SITE MANAGER, CENTRAL RESERVES; NEIL COWIE, RESERVES ECOLOGIST AND ROSALIND KENNERLEY, RESERVES ECOLOGIST RESTORING LOST HABITATS 45

Throughout the UK, vast areas of First year after breach Fourth year after breach saltmarsh and mudflat have been lost over the centuries as land was claimed for agriculture and industrial development, and more recently due to the effects of increased storm-induced erosion. There are 700 250 m 250 m ha of low-lying land in the Nigg Valley, which drains into Nigg Bay. Most of Grassland Mud Reproduced from the digital Ordnance Survey map by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of this land has been drained or Saltmarsh The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. RSPB licence 100021787. reclaimed, and is currently used for arable and stock farming. The Meddat field was the last area of the Bay to be species. The realignment site shows were found in similar numbers and claimed from intertidal habitat, in the the full range of saltmarsh zonation, outside the sea wall. Ragworms 1950s, and was used as rough grazing. from grassland, through upper, mid Hediste diversicolor are now found at In February 2003, the sea wall was and lower saltmarsh communities significantly higher densities within breached in two places and seawater to mudflats. the realigned field, primarily due to was allowed back onto this 25 ha field the higher mud content of the at high tide for the first time in 50 Earlier this year, samples were taken sediment within the realigned site. years. This was the first coastal to see how many of the invertebrates realignment project in Scotland. from the adjacent mudflats had Wintering waterbirds are now using colonised the realignment field. the site in large numbers. Depending In the years following breaching of The survey revealed that some on weather and tides, the Meddat the sea wall, the development of invertebrates found in Nigg Bay are realignment site can hold up to 2,000 vegetation, sedimentation, still missing at Meddat; however, four waterbirds. Ten species of wader and colonisation by invertebrates and important species have colonised nine species of wildfowl have been wintering waterbird use has been throughout the site providing an recorded. The length of the edge of studied. Vegetation studies show that important food source for wintering saltmarsh is most crucial for roosting saltmarsh communities similar to waterbirds. These species were found waterbirds – the new saltmarsh at those in the adjacent Nigg Bay have in the realigned field at densities Meddat provides an additional 12% developed, and 10 species of comparable to those outside of the of edge, yet can hold 25% of the saltmarsh plants are now present, seawall. Baltic tellin Macoma balthica roosting waterbirds in Nigg Bay. including two uncommon glasswort and mud shrimp Corophium volutator

Changes in the occurrence of saltmarsh species at fixed sample points after the sea wall was breached

2003 65 60 2004 55 2005 50 2006 45 40 2009 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 % frequency in sample points % frequency 0 As ter Atriplex Cochlearia Plantago Puccinellia Salicornia Spergularia Suaeda Trilochin tripolium littoralis officinalis maritima maritima sp. sp. maritima maritima

Species of saltmarsh plant 46 RESTORING LOST HABITATS Neil Cowie (RSPB)

Glasswort species have been among the first plants to colonise the managed realignment area at Nigg Bay.

Densities of mud-dwelling invertebrates in 2010 Although only 25 ha in size, the coastal realignment project at Nigg Bay has Realignment field 8000 contributed significantly to the available wintering waterbird habitat, providing an 7000 Nigg Bay mudflat important additional feeding and roosting 6000 resource for the many birds that come to

5000 the Cromarty Firth from all over Europe. (±1 SD) 2

4000 Thanks to: 3000 Scottish Natural Heritage, Heritage Lottery Fund, SEPA Habitat

number per m 2000 Enhancement Initiative, Miss E M P 1000 Scott Will Trust and Highland Council through the Land Communities Fund. We 0 are grateful to Amy Challis for her advice Mud shrimp Laver spire Baltic tellin Ragworm Corophium Macoma on monitoring and the use of her thesis. shell Hediste volutator Hydrobia balthica diversicolor ulvae RESTORING LOST HABITATS 47 Niall Benvie (naturepl.com)

Ragworms, a key food source for many species of intertidal waders. 48 RSPBRESTORING RESERVES LOST 2008 HABITATS ABP Mer A computer-generated image of the habitats we plan to create at Wallasea Island.

Introducing the Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project

The RSPB identified the potential of Wallasea Island in for the restoration of large areas of saltmarsh and intertidal mud in the late 1990s. Ten years later, we have now acquired land, finalised a design, obtained consents and concluded agreements with Crossrail, Defra and the Environment Agency to make this vision a reality. This complex project will be the largest of its kind in the UK.

AUTHOR: JEFF KEW, OPERATIONS MANAGER (PROJECTS) RESTORING LOST HABITATS 49 RSPB

The Wallasea Wild Coast Project has six key aims:

• to create new intertidal habitats to compensate for losses in the Crouch and Roach Estuary, and to offset historic losses of coastal habitats and species in the UK

• to avoid the flood damage risks to the Crouch and Roach Estuary and Wallasea Island that exist from a future unmanaged breach of the existing sea wall within the A view across Wallasea Island showing part of the Defra-managed realignment area in the foreground. project area

• to create an extensive area of The larger RSPB Wild Coast Project constructing a new rail link under accessible coastal land for the was planned over a two-year period, London. This is a great marriage quiet enjoyment of nature and from signing a purchase option to between Europe’s largest civil open space, reconnecting people designing a scheme, obtaining engineering project and Europe’s largest with their coastal heritage consents and securing funding for this intertidal habitat creation project. multi-million pound project – the • to demonstrate through a large- largest so far undertaken by the RSPB The imported fill will be placed to scale practical example adaptation in the UK. Having obtained planning produce the required ground height for to climate change and sea level and other consents, and concluding each of the different habitats – mudflat, rise on the coast agreements with our partners – Defra, saltmarsh, saline and brackish the Environment Agency and Crossrail marsh/pasture. Six 100 m wide seawall • to build on the success of the – the RSPB agreed purchase of the breaches will be created to allow the 110 ha Defra-managed realignment land in 2009. free flow on/off the inter-tidal habitats. scheme, completed in 2006 on The site will be built up in cells, each Wallasea Island The design has been developed by the with its own sea defences. RSPB, working with ABP Mer and • to provide additional intertidal AECOM. One of the significant design The vision at the heart of the Wallasea habitats to ensure that the Crouch challenges has been working out how Wild Coast Project is a landscape used and Roach Special Protection Area to get a sustainable volume of water by people as well as wildlife, enjoyed by (SPA)/Special Area of flowing onto and off the island. local communities and people from Conservation (SAC) remains in Hydrodynamic studies revealed further afield. The visitor facilities will Favourable Condition. that the sustainable capacity was include five bird hides, two car parks 2 million m3 per tide, whereas and 15 km of new paths. The RSPB started talking to the major 11 million m3 were predicted from an landowner on Wallasea Island in 2000 unmanaged breach as the current land Construction work began in July 2009. and in 2007 concluded our option to levels are below mean high water. The next phase of the development will purchase over 744 ha of the island. be the installation of the unloading During this time, we helped to Much thought was given to reducing facility, followed by the importation of facilitate the development of the tidal volumes. The solution we have the first materials. We look forward to compensatory Defra managed chosen is to raise the level of the land the huge new area of intertidal habitats realignment on Wallasea Island. by approximately 2 m by importing being colonised by specialist plants and We now manage this area, which is 7.5 million m3 of excavated material. invertebrates and thousands of feeding already supporting 12,000 waterfowl, The first phase of fill material will waterbirds in the years to come. on behalf of Defra. come from Crossrail, who are 50 RSPB RESERVES 2008 Ross Willis Ross (RSPB)

Restored lowland wet grassland at Ynys-hir.

Enlarging the habitats at Ynys-hir

Ynys-hir reserve is situated on the south side of the River Dyfi in Ceredigion. It borders the Snowdonia National Park to the north, and the Cambrian mountains to the south. We have been building a large-scale reserve in Ynys-hir since 1969, and in 2009 a significant piece of the jigsaw became available at Hen Hafod. The acquisition of this land will enable the wet grassland habitats of the reserve to be linked together.

AUTHOR: ROSS WILLIS, WETLANDS WARDEN, YNYS-HIR RESTORING LOST HABITATS 51

Ynys-hir hosts the only regular Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) wintering flock of Greenland white-fronted geese in England Spanning an area of 840 ha that is and Wales. 5 km in length, the most striking feature of the reserve is the varied range of habitats stretching between the mountains and the shores of the Dyfi Estuary. These include upland heath, sessile oak woodlands, lowland bog, reedbed, wet grassland and saltmarsh.

The Dyfi has become the most important site for breeding wading birds in Wales, with the major part of the Dyfi population nesting on the RSPB reserve. Winter sees high numbers of visiting waterfowl, including the only regular flock of Greenland white-fronted geese in the habitat and water regime with installed to raise water levels on key England and Wales. the activities of a modern, organic ditches and 3.3 km of ditch was either stock farm it has been possible to reprofiled or cleaned to improve Substantial wetland reclamation work create wader-friendly conditions accessibility for feeding waders. has been carried out on farmland throughout the year. This gives acquired in 2001, adjacent to the waders and wildfowl the best chance Even before this first phase was saltmarsh. This has resulted in of a successful breeding season and completed, the benefits to wetland breeding lapwing pairs rising from 17 surviving the following winter. birds were immediate. Good numbers in 2001 to 79 in 2009, during which of redshanks, lapwings, snipe and time the population elsewhere in Greenland white-fronted geese golden plovers benefited from the Wales has been in serious decline. frequently graze the sweeter grass raised water levels and disturbed mud, on the upper fields of Hen Hafod, as especially during the fierce cold snap Hen Hafod was a 105 ha farm of well as the lower saltmarsh nearby. at the start of 2010. Grey herons, little lowland grazing that lay in the middle Their ability to survive their gruelling egrets and gulls kept vigil alongside of the reserve. Its acquisition, migration is determined by the the excavator, waiting to snap up any supported by the Heritage Lottery condition they attain feeding on offerings that became exposed! Fund, was a long-sought objective these habitats. Breeding bird species joining the two areas previously such as skylarks are thriving in the The second phase of water control is acquired through the Heritage Lottery new conditions, as are mammals due to begin at the end of the 2010 Fund’s Wetlands for Wales such as otters and hares, which are breeding season and will continue programme. This allowed management both now more abundant on the into 2011. This will give us the ability for conservation over a continuous reserve. The new waterways have to raise water onto the higher areas of stretch of the Dyfi totalling some been colonised by a range of insects Hen Hafod without creating a flood 300 ha of lowland wet grassland and and plants, enhancing the site’s risk to neighbouring property. We around 200 ha of saltmarsh. biodiversity. hope that our work at this newly- enlarged reserve will contribute to The benefits of this for species with The first phase of work started in the turning around the serious declines of special requirements, such as winter of 2009 and continued up to breeding lapwings in Wales. lapwings and redshanks, are the beginning of the 2010 breeding enormous. By linking manipulation of season. Four pipe-dams were 52 Gwyn Williams (RSPB)

The project at Dove Stone will restore vegetation cover to heavily eroded areas of peat, benefit wildlife and provide a range of other ecosystem service benefits.

Partnership in the Peak District

With the urban expanses of Manchester and Sheffield on its doorstep and more than 15.7 million people living within 60 miles of its boundaries, it is no surprise that the Peak District is Britain’s most visited National Park. People are not the only visitors to the peat bogs and moors of the Dark Peak. Every spring, internationally important numbers of golden plovers arrive, whilst the characteristic liquid call of the curlew carries over the cloughs and flushes of the moorland plateau. The crags and boulders that are popular with rock climbers also shelter our only spring migrant thrush, the ring ouzel.

AUTHOR: SIMON WIGHTMAN, SENIOR RESERVES ECOLOGIST AND ROY TAYLOR, PEAK DISTRICT AREA DEVELOPMENT MANAGER RESTORINGRSPB LOSTRESERVES HABITATS 2010 53 Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com)

The residents of the villages, towns and cities within and surrounding the Park depend on these high moors for more than valuable leisure opportunities. Around 100 cm of rain falls over these hills in an average year and this is harvested in reservoirs that provide 450 million litres of water to homes and businesses every day.

At first glance, it might appear that the Peak District is a refreshing example of a multifunctional landscape, rich in biodiversity whilst also providing essential services to people. However, this is far from the pristine wilderness it might appear. Decades of industrial pollution, wild fire, drainage and over- grazing have removed much of the protective vegetation cover from the blanket bogs and dried the peat, which is ultimately lost through the dual processes of oxidation and erosion. In places, it is possible to stand on We hope to restore the blanket bog to benefit birds such as the golden plover. bedrock and look up at bare banks of peat towering over your head. Some take this to be part of the character of these moors, but it is evidence of a partnership began to realise that netting and rolls. Heather brash has heavily degraded habitat. changing the way we manage uplands been spread with a nursery crop of could help to restore these damaged grass, and several applications of lime Fortunately, a wide range of habitats and benefit not only wildlife and fertiliser have been added to stakeholders now recognise the but also society. kickstart the revegetation process. damage that has been done and the risk, not only to our natural heritage Following successful lobbying from the The results so far have been but also to valuable public services, RSPB and United Utilities, the utilities impressive. It is still early days, but such as the supply of clean water and watchdog Ofwat announced that it almost 5 km2 of bare peat is now an intact carbon store. One of the key would support the investment of vegetated and 95% of the United players in raising the profile of this £9 million on 200 km2 of the United Utilities upland Site of Special issue has been United Utilities, who Utilities estate in the Peak District and Scientific Interest (SSSI) is now in own huge expanses of the upland Forest of Bowland. The Sustainable Favourable or Unfavourable-Recovering catchments that serve their reservoirs Catchment Management Programme Condition. SCaMP has been a huge and water distribution network. (SCaMP) was born. success but has relied on one-off capital works and the provision of We have been working in partnership Five years later, sheep grazing has support and advice to farmers wanting with United Utilities for over 30 years, been significantly reduced and drains to enter agri-environment schemes. most notably in the Forest of Bowland have been blocked across 200 km2 of where their estate supports successful damaged blanket bog. Bare, eroding At Dove Stone in the north of the Peak nesting hen harriers. In 2005, the peat has been stabilised with jute District, the RSPB/United Utilities 54 RESTORING LOST HABITATS

ensure that birds and other species are safeguarded in the long term is to restore a healthy upland ecosystem. At the same time, we recognise that we need to better understand the upland peat habitats, especially how

Niall Benvie (rspb-images.com)Niall Benvie management influences the provision of services such as clean water and a safe carbon store. We will be looking to develop new and existing partnerships with agencies and institutions exploring this relatively new area of science.

The Eastern Moors In another exciting new Peak District partnership, the RSPB is joining forces with the National Trust to manage the Eastern Moors on behalf of the National Park Authority. These moors, which are easily accessible from Sheffield, consist of over 2,000 ha of blanket bog, heath and woodland. The partnership will be balancing the needs of hundreds of visitors, with the sensitive wildlife that shares this spectacular landscape.

The insect-eating sundew – one of the characteristic plants found on intact blanket bog. Key challenges will be involving local communities in implementing management that partnership is looking to go one step carbon store; and a constant supply of will encourage the recovery of a further. An upland nature reserve is clean, clear water. diverse range of habitats that have being established that will draw on the suffered from historic over-grazing experience of both organisations to Prior to the start of the SCaMP project, and burning. We will also be demonstrate a new approach to upland Dove Stone had received little of the developing a woodland restoration catchment management. This will intensive vegetation management or plan with the aim of improving the deliver the multiple objectives of predator control that is often age structure and species SSSI/Special Protection Area (SPA) associated with upland sporting composition of the existing Favourable Condition: sustainable estates. A new management plan will woodland, targeting not only populations of the full range of focus on providing habitat for birds but priority bird species such as pied breeding birds and of other plants and will avoid techniques that might flycatchers, redstarts and lesser animals associated with uplands in the damage the recovering blanket bog or spotted woodpeckers, but also South Pennines; a valued and well- the security of ecosystem services. plants, fungi and insects. used recreational resource; a stable We believe that the best way to RESTORING LOST HABITATS 55 Gwyn Williams (RSPB) Gwyn Williams

Eastern Moors 56

Ben Hall (rspb-images.com) Water vole RSPB RESERVES 2010 57

Improving conditions for wildlife

From the Scottish primrose to Sussex emerald, RSPB nature reserves are home to an amazing variety of plants, animals and fungi. Our reserves are helping to conserve thousands of species, and there are some that depend on the RSPB for their survival in the UK.

Some of our reserves are managed especially for these species, like the heath fritillary at Blean Woods. But even if we have a few special species in mind when we are planning our work, the habitats we create are home to many other plants and animals. By conserving and restoring areas like the machair grasslands in the Hebrides, we are helping rarities like corncrakes and great yellow bumblebees, and we are also providing a secure future for the other wildlife that shares their environment. 58 Michael Walter Michael

Heath fritillary – one of the scarcest butterflies in the UK.

Conserving heath fritillaries at Blean Woods

The RSPB’s reserves have important populations of many rare and threatened species. Without targeted habitat management, many of these species would be lost. We identify species in need of special attention and seek expert advice to ensure our management is appropriate. One such species is the heath fritillary butterfly, which we have been conserving for the last 30 years at Blean Woods.

AUTHOR: MICHAEL WALTER, BLEAN WOODS NNR SITE MANAGER provides enablesustocreate more greater areathatthepartnership its selectionofnew sites,sothe isnotoriouslyfickleheath fritillary in area entrusted totheRSPB. The day-to-day managementofthe entire this NationalNature with Reserve, Borough Councilown 509hawithin Canterbury City Council andSwale City Canterbury Woodland Trust, Council, County of theRSPB, Natural England,the Forestry Commission. A partnership including Kent Wildlife Trust andthe managed by arange oflandowners of woods aroundCanterbury, Blean Woods hacomplex isa3,000 species. Action Planpriority as EndangeredandisaUKBiodiversity means thatthespeciesisstillclassed numbers andcoloniessincethe1980s an overall steepdeclineinboth some populationincreases.However, management inrecentyears hasledto are onnature where reserves sites inEssex. Many ofthecolonies Woods inKent, plusfour reintroduction Devon, , ExmoorandBlean restricted toafew smallsitesin scarcest butterflies, withcolonies isoneoftheUK’sThe heathfritillary large numbers observed in2009 The numberofheathfritillary sightingsatBlean Woods hasincreased substantiallyinrecent years, withvery

No. of butterfly-days on 178 ha at Blean Woods 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 5000 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000 500 0

1983 1984 1985 1986 We usethreetechniques. The firstis butterfly’s needs. expertise toadaptmanagementthe provided uswiththe Conservation) Chief Executive ofButterfly carried outby Martin Warren (now Intense research ontheheathfritillary or atthewrongtimefor thebutterflies. the work was doneinthewrongplace mostof carried outannualcoppicing, Although theprevious owners had numbers were extremely low. Woods in1981, whenheathfritillary We beganacquiringlandatBlean Creating therightconditions become occupied. the likelihood thatsomeareaswill forhabitat potentialcolonies,with to target thecoppicingof5-7haper to target year toareaswhere cow-wheat, the heath fritilliary’s food plant,islikely to grow. five years,Within alltraces of thecow-wheat may have been shaded outby thegrowing coppice; after 15-20 years we recutthearea, by which timethegroundhas become bare, making it suitable forbecome bare,makingitsuitable the germinationofafreshsward of cow-wheat, andthecoppice poles 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

ear a Ye 1995 1996 IMPROVING CONDITIONSFOR WILDLIFE 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 firewood. Secondly, we openup are bigenoughtobesaleableas technique isthemaintenanceof where cow-wheat isthriving. A third sites tomorerecentlyclearedareas fritillaries tomove fromovergrown andflywaysadditional habitat for wide rides,which provide both moving amoeba-like acrossthe over theyears would show blobs time-lapse filmofcolony distribution two orthreeyears after coppicing. A createdinthefirst ephemeral habitat inthe generally getestablished glades, themostvigorouscolonies indefinitely alongrideverges andin colonies canoften survive permanently openareas. While glades ofaround0.2-0.8haas wood for long. seldom remaininonepartof the are devoid ofit. The bestcolonies extensive that areasofthereserve areas withcow-wheat, orrecoilfrom thatfeeltentacles theirway towards here, dyingoff there,sendingout wood, buddingoff new colonies throughout the flightperiod. All coloniesarecountedregularly Monitoring theresults 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 59 60 IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WILDLIFE Michael Walter Walter (RSPB) Michael

A rare spectacle – 10 heath fritillary butterflies congregated on a bracken frond.

Numbers responded well to Other species to benefit The future management in the early 1980s but Although some of the reserve All the owners of the main woodland then slumped in 1987 (probably due management is carried out blocks within the Blean Woods to the poor summer weather), and specifically for heath fritillaries, complex (known collectively as "The remained low through the 1990s. coppicing, ride widening and glade Blean") are affiliated to the Blean Encouragingly, the population began management also benefit a wide Initiative, an informal body seeking to to pick up once more in 2006, range of other wildlife. As the raise the profile of The Blean. One of culminating in a spectacular season coppice begins to shade out the cow- the key roles of the Initiative is the in 2009, when many colonies thrived. wheat, willow warblers start to move promotion of the sale of wood One colony in particular exceeded all in, and, within a year or two of the products (presently mainly firewood), expectations. This was in an isolated final demise of a fritillary colony, which will help to make coppicing a site where 30 adults had been nightingales often take up residence. viable activity once more. This will introduced in 1999. After initial Open space management is enable us to undertake more cutting, fluctuations in numbers, the colony invaluable to a wide range of which in turn should result in exploded in 2009 peaking at 1,338 invertebrates, most conspicuously healthier populations of heath butterflies. The colony became butterflies, ranging from the abundant fritillaries and the other important possibly the biggest in the country gatekeepers, meadow browns and wildlife of Blean Woods. for over 100 years and an incredible ringlets, to the scarce white admirals spectacle. Prior to this momentous and silver-washed fritillaries that are Thanks to: year, a colony peak of 100 would currently attempting to become Forestry Commission, Defra, Natural have been considered outstanding, established here. England and Viridor Credits. and 200 was almost unheard of. IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WILDLIFE 61 Danny Green (rspb-images.com)

We hope that, over time, silver- washed fritillaries will be breeding regularly in Blean Woods. 62 Richard Revels (rspb-images.com) Revels Richard

Marsh orchids – some of the many flowers found in the rich machair flora.

The Reef, Isle of Tiree – a machair haven

The Reef reserve covers 380 ha in the centre of the Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides, and protects one of the UK’s most intact machair plains. Since 1993, the RSPB has leased the site from Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (there is an active airport in the centre of the reserve). We manage the whole reserve as a single unit with traditional grazing by cattle during the winter, overseen by the Reef Graziers Committee. The management regime includes a complete summer grazing break to allow the machair plants to bloom and set seed. The reserve is not promoted to potential visitors, as the birds are easily disturbed at this site. Instead, guided walks are given around the fringes of the reserve and to adjacent similar sites.

AUTHOR: JOHN BOWLER, TIREE OFFICER IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WILDLIFE 63 Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com) Chris Gomersall Breeding birds Sixty pairs of dunlins regularly breed in the machair at The Reef. A key feature of the reserve is the sheer density of ground-nesting birds. Over 700 pairs of waders breed annually. In the absence of ground predators such as foxes and mink, breeding success is high and numbers of all breeding waders have either increased or remained stable since 1993. The reserve is also an important feeding ground for wintering Greenland white-fronted geese and whooper swans.

Machair biodiversity The rich machair grasslands are also home to a myriad of invertebrates, including a diverse range of bee species. The reserve holds important numbers of two UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species, namely the northern colletes mining bee and the great yellow bumblebee. Another UKBAP priority species, Irish lady’s- tresses orchid, has recently been discovered on the reserve, along with healthy populations of lesser butterfly Breeding birds (2005-2009) and wintering birds (2005-2009) orchid and the nationally scarce Baltic Breeding birds rush. However, it is the rich flowering Lapwing 320 pairs carpet of common wild flowers that Snipe 130 drumming males attracts the eye throughout the Oystercatcher 120 pairs summer. Dunlin 60 pairs Redshank 55 pairs The Machair LIFE+ project Ringed plover 45 pairs (possibly nesting at the Machair is a globally rare habitat, with highest density in the UK) the majority found along the western Little tern 30-40 pairs seaboard of Scotland. It consists of a Arctic tern 120 pairs rich mosaic of open habitats formed Black-headed gull 60-150 pairs from shell-rich sand, subtly modified Common gull 90 pairs by peat through centuries of low- Corncrake Up to 17 calling males intensity agriculture. Threatened by a Skylark 250 pairs combination of sea-level rise and agricultural intensification and Wintering birds abandonment, the outlook for this Greenland white-fronted geese 350 important habitat has been looking Barnacle geese 1,500 increasingly bleak. To counter this, Whooper swan 50 the RSPB secured a £2.4 million Golden plover Up to 7,000 can be seen on the funding package in November 2009 reserve before they fly to Iceland (with 50% from EC LIFE+ and the Twite Up to 400 on the machair 64 IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WILDLIFE

remainder from Scottish Natural Heritage, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and the RSPB). The project aims are: • to achieve environmental benefits across the machair Special Protection Area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC)

Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com) network • to secure and improve the conservation status of 70% of the world’s machair habitat and its associated species • to implement sustainable management methods that improve nature conservation interest whilst being compatible with local agricultural practices.

The work will take place across a range of sites including RSPB reserves in both the Inner and Outer Hebrides. The project will assist with Management for corncrakes will be helped by the new corncrake conservation on Coll and Machair LIFE+ project. Tiree, fund the provision of new sheds for hay-making machinery on Islay, and critically, it will expand the areas of late-harvested, arable 120 pairs of oystercatchers breed in the short machair crops on the Outer Hebrides. vegetation of The Reef. The management methods will include increased stooking of harvested cereal crops (a traditional method of drying corn in the field) and a reduction in the under-sowing arable crops with a second crop. Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com) We hope that the Machair LIFE+ project will turn around the declining population of machair corn buntings; increase the number of choughs and corncrakes breeding within the machair; and enable this diverse habitat, supporting many species of plants and invertebrates, to continue long into the future. IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WILDLIFE 65 Mike Edwards (rspb-images.com) Mike

Important numbers of great yellow bumblebee occur at The Reef. 66 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

The standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar break the skyline, with the species-rich grassland in the foreground.

Brodgar’s ring of wildlife

Set in the truly spectacular Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, the RSPB’s 35 ha Brodgar reserve is a little gem. It surrounds the iconic Ring of Brodgar and sits on the isthmus between the Lochs of Stenness and Harray. Intensively managed pasture has been restored to encourage wildlife and a new path has been created through the reserve, linking the two loch shores with the paths of the Ring of Brodgar.

AUTHOR: ANDY KNIGHT, ORKNEY RESERVES MANAGER IMPROVING CONDITIONS FOR WILDLIFE 67 © Pat Bennett / Alamy Barry O'Dowd (RSPB)

Since owning the site, we have converted 19 ha of improved pasture into more natural habitat by creating patches of wetland and open water. We have reduced the dominance of agricultural grasses and encouraged wildflowers to flourish. Breeding skylarks have now colonised the site and curlew numbers have increased significantly. Wading birds have increased in variety, as well as number, from four species and 25 pairs at the Wintering twite have benefited from the restoration of organic cultivation. outset, to eight species and 44 pairs now. However, lapwings have decreased, perhaps due to the rougher by the nutrient stripping. The (kale, neeps, swede, etc) provide nature of the pasture, the new and composted grass is turned, spread much needed pollen in the early increasing colonies of common and and sown with nettle seed/rhizomes, spring of the second year. The black-headed gulls, and the very dry and, if available, is supplemented with corncrake grass seed mixes were springs of 2008 and 2009. farmyard manure and seaweed. also adapted to include more red clover, to provide additional food The transition from agricultural Brodgar had been cultivated up until sources for the rare long-tongued grasses to species-rich grassland was about the mid 1980s. In 2001, this bees, like the great yellow brought about by cutting and was resumed over part of the site bumblebee – a UKBAP priority removing of the vegetation twice per using an organic-based, seven year species found in good numbers at year to remove some of the nutrients rotation to create habitat for breeding the reserve. held in the soil. Favourable results waders, winter feeding for twites, were achieved within four years skylarks, reed buntings, and, following Although a small site, the species-rich (much sooner than anticipated), the arable part of the rotation, clover- grassland, the tall clover-rich swards perhaps aided by the spreading of based tall grass suitable for and the arable rotation with its diverse fresh hay from old meadows to corncrakes. The success of cultivation range of arable weeds, stubbles and introduce native grassland species for waders was greater than expected, fodder crops, create an atmosphere and the spreading of yellow rattle attracting one new species (ringed buzzing with wildlife, an experience seed. Yellow rattle parasitises grass plover) and providing nesting for half we hope the many visitors to the Ring and reduces its vigour. In the fifth of the reserve’s lapwings. The of Brodgar will enjoy. year, cutting was reduced to a single absence of pesticide encouraged annual cut and we now use a some interesting species to germinate Thanks to: staggered mowing pattern. There is from the 20 year old seed bank, Scottish Natural Heritage, the still plenty of scope to improve plant including corn marigold and the UK Heritage Lottery Fund’s Viking Heaths diversity, but it has been an Biodiversity Action Plan priority project, the European Agricultural encouraging start with sneezewort species purple ramping fumitory, Fund for Rural Development, Forward and yarrow colonising from the amongst others. Scotland and the Glasgow Natural spread hay. The same management History Society. has been undertaken by Historic Small areas of unharvested crop, Scotland over the 10 ha Ring of which had been introduced for winter Brodgar enclosure, which is now a birds, were quickly discovered to be bee-filled flower meadow. beneficial to bees. Phacelia tanacetifolia has been added to Corncrake cover has mostly been provide pollen and nectar in the first created using the mowings generated year of sowing and biennial crucifers 68 Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) RSPB RESERVES 2010 69

Reserves and people a review of 2009

The growth of the RSPB nature reserve network and the appeal of the reserves to visitors go hand in hand. As we have increased the land that we have taken into conservation management, we have, at the same time, extended the opportunity for people to visit our reserves. Inspired by their visit, many people go on to provide the moral, financial and voluntary support necessary to acquire and manage new sites – a virtuous circle which is good for both people and wildlife.

By 2012, we want to extend opportunities for people to be connected with nature – our nature reserves will represent the best manifestation of this ideal, engaging with 2.2 million visits per year.

Our aim is that on leaving an RSPB reserve, visitors will feel they have had a special and enjoyable time. We want them to have a high quality experience, in which they have connected with birds, other wildlife and the natural environment, and consequently feel more committed to its conservation.

Our progress towards these objectives during 2009 is reported in the following chapter. 70 David Tipling (rspb-images.com)

Inspiring people about nature

The network of RSPB nature reserves extends from the western tip of Cornwall to Shetland. Each offers a fantastic opportunity for people to connect with nature. In 2009, there were nearly 2 million visits to RSPB nature reserves.

AUTHOR: PAUL FORECAST, HEAD OF PEOPLE ENGAGEMENT RESERVES AND PEOPLE – A REVIEW OF 2009 71

Have you ever thought about what have large sites attracting tens of to protecting nature. All the profits got you excited about birds and other thousands of people from across the from our shops and cafés go back wildlife? Most of our formative UK, with a full range of visitor into conservation work and last year experiences had three things in facilities, including visitor centres, car visitors contributed £1.4 million common: they happened when we parks, toilets, cafés, shops, hides, through their purchases. Volunteers were young; they involved an adult and front-line staff and volunteers to gave the gift of time, contributing who was willing to share their help interpret the wildlife. 381,000 hours. Many people knowledge; and they were a supported our campaigning work by first-hand experience. Recognising that many people don’t signing our petitions to stop the have the knowledge to be able to persecution of birds of prey and halt I was lucky. My grandparents had a interpret wildlife for themselves, we the effects of climate change. Over caravan next to the RSPB’s nature have responded by increasing the 12,000 people added their voices to reserve in Snettisham, . Even number of knowledgeable volunteers the one million others that are at a young age, I was allowed to visit who are willing to share their passion already members of the RSPB. the reserve on my own. I would for nature with others. The volunteers practice using my new binoculars and position themselves at points of We are glad that they enjoyed their would attempt to identify the birds interest around our reserve. They time with us and are grateful for all that I saw with my prized guidebook. share with visitors wildlife spectacles their continued support that allows us On many occasions I was as varied as red deer rutting to a blue to manage over 200 of the best accompanied by my grandad, who tit in a nest box rearing nine young. places for nature in the UK. patiently helped me to name the baffling array of birds on The Wash. It would be a mistake to say that this approach is innovative. The osprey Sadly, for many children (and viewing facilities at Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) increasingly for adults too) these recently celebrated their 50th experiences are becoming less anniversary. Thousands of people have common. The pressure of work, made the pilgrimage to watch this the allure of shopping, the wild soap opera unfold. Since 1959, unfounded fear of accidents in the visitors have seen 141 eggs laid and countryside, and a generation that 86 chicks successfully fledged. is increasingly disconnected from nature are all factors. When visitors leave an RSPB reserve, we want them to have had The RSPB is fighting back! We have a special and enjoyable time. We over 200 nature reserves across the want them to have had a high quality UK, of which 184 have public access. experience, in which they have We continue to add new reserves for connected with birds, other wildlife people to enjoy and last year we and the natural environment. opened Saltholme reserve on Teesside, filling a gap in our reserve Last year, there were nearly 2 million provision in north east England. visits to our reserves, including 65,000 schoolchildren who attended The number of visitors to each site our field-teaching programme. When and the range of visitor facilities asked, 99% of our visitors said that offered vary widely. At one end of the they would like to come back – a spectrum, we have small sites with ringing endorsement. marked trails and noticeboards that attract informal access from the local As well as having a good time, we community. At the other end, we want visitors to feel more committed Rock pooling at Titchwell Marsh. 72 Eleanor Bentall (rspb-images.com)

RSPB Living Classrooms – giving children an outstanding, outdoor experience

Learning outside the classroom can be amongst the most vivid and memorable experiences that young people have, helping them develop both educationally and personally. It is crucial that children get outdoors and experience learning first hand as often as possible, and this is one of the chief aims of RSPB Living Classrooms.

AUTHOR: CAROLYN MAXWELL, FIELD TEACHING STANDARDS MANAGER RESERVES AND PEOPLE – A REVIEW OF 2009 73

Over the past year, our Living learning that we provide to schools on with practical learning opportunities Classrooms schemes around the RSPB reserves. A notable success offered to older students and adults. country have been celebrating the has been the comment that with the award of the Government’s Learning award of the Quality Badge, the vision The Living Classroom at Fowlmere Outside the Classroom (LOtC) Quality of Rainham Marshes becoming a caters mainly for primary school-aged Badge. We have been closely involved leading centre for environmental children. It offers plenty of challenge with the development of the Quality education in London has been and varied learning activities, meaning Badge and all our field teaching teams realised. This is fantastic news for pupils’ knowledge and understanding have put in a huge effort to showcase such a new reserve. Another of wildlife is greatly increased. The field the RSPB as one of the premier outstanding site in the south east is teaching team are enthusiastic and providers of out of classroom learning Pulborough Brooks, a longer- highly motivated, despite working out in the country. The hard work has paid established Living Classroom where of a wooden shed with no electricity! off. Six schemes achieved the the outstanding progress made by “outstanding” mark offer the rigorous learners is deemed to be the direct All successful sites can now register process of internal and external consequence of outstanding on the LOtC website and publicise assessment of their teaching, learning teaching and an exceptional their Quality Badge to schools, local and safety measures. The Quality outdoor environment. education authorities and teachers. Badge allows more children to engage We always knew that we provided with life beyond the classroom by The diversity of habitats around the inspirational experiences for young cutting red tape and assuring schools Ribble Estuary provides a top quality people, but the achievement of the that their activities are educational and setting in which to learn, and the Quality Badge for all our Living manage risk effectively. We have taken partnership between the RSPB and Classrooms schemes will be true the assessment procedure one step the local council at the Ribble recognition of that. further and sought a professional, Discovery Centre at Fairhaven Lake is external evaluation of our provision as another outstanding scheme. The Thanks to: well as our own self-assessment. Quality Badge assures teachers that We are very grateful to all the people children can work safely in natural who support our field teaching work, We decided that although the Badge environments such as tidal mudflats, making the programme a success. only applies to England, as a UK-wide shorelines and sand dunes. organisation we should put all our Living Classrooms sites through the A very different site is Leighton Moss, process to ensure consistency. The a wetland reserve of reedbeds fringed Quality Badge is not just a one-off, as with willow scrub. The centre has sites have to re-submit themselves superb displays and resources, setting every two years and demonstrate that the scene very well and creating a they still meet the six quality strong ethos of interest and respect indicators. We have pledged to for birds and the natural environment. engage in this on-going process to This all contributes to providing sustain high-quality learning outside children with an outstanding quality the classroom. This culture of of education. Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) continuing improvement would be very much harder without the support At Old Moor, sessions are lively, of reserve staff, who help to make our informative, active and enjoyable, and reserves places where children can be field teachers use exciting and inspired and learn about wildlife. imaginative approaches to help children learn about natural systems We have received some very positive and sustainability. This Living feedback from the external assessor Classroom has a strong emphasis on on the quality of the teaching and strengthening lifelong learning skills, Field teaching at Old Moor 74 RSPB

Accommodation 30 years ago at Loch Garten.

Residential volunteering – happy 30th birthday!

The Voluntary Wardening Scheme began in earnest in the late 1970s, at Loch Garten in Scotland where volunteers staying in caravans and tents helped to prevent disturbance to nesting ospreys.

Things have changed considerably since those humble beginnings 30 years ago! Now called the “Residential Volunteering Scheme”, there are 41 reserves/projects spread all round the UK where volunteers can spend time living and working as a warden for the RSPB. The accommodation has also improved and now ranges from purpose built chalets to converted farm buildings, cottages and village houses and it’s all provided to our volunteers free of charge.

AUTHORS: KATE TYCER, RESIDENTIAL VOLUNTEERING DEVELOPMENT OFFICER AND ALAN MURRAY, HEAD OF VOLUNTEERING DEVELOPMENT RESERVES AND PEOPLE – A REVIEW OF 2009 75 Keely Spate (RSPB)

Volunteers at work

Each year, over 600 volunteers take immeasurable. I say almost because part in the scheme, helping with vital you only have to take a walk around Totalled up, the conservation work on our reserves. our new wildlife and sensory gardens contribution of Volunteers stay anything from one for our field teaching programme, week to one year. the repainted visitor centre, the the residential beautifully-managed reedbeds, volunteers’ work since Ben Mitchell, assistant warden at woodlands, trails, hides or even the records began, comes Mersehead reserve, believes these array of hand-made feeders outside to an amazing residential volunteers are the visitor centre, to see the impact “fundamental to the success of our that their hard work has had here.” 154,045 volunteer conservation efforts across the UK.” days or 1,155,338 He continues, “We have had a In 2008, our residential volunteers hours. The financial staggering 30 residential volunteers clocked up 3,009 weeks of work, this year. The conservation benefit of equivalent to an extra 63 full-time value of this is having an extra four members of staff staff assisting our reserve £6,759,553. (effectively doubling the reserve staff) conservation work. for seven months is almost 76 RESERVES AND PEOPLE – A REVIEW OF 2009

With this in mind, internships were started in the Northern England region five years ago, with volunteers

Kate Tycer Tycer Kate (RSPB) spending a year at two different reserves. They are given a structured training programme throughout the year in both hard and soft skills. These have been a great success; 11 out of 13 participants went on to paid employment with the RSPB.

“The volunteering placement enabled me to get on the first step of the ladder towards a career in Accommodation today at Old Moor. conservation, whilst the wide range of RSPB reserves and opportunities Young people who want to work in Half of all RSPB residential meant that there were conservation often come up against volunteers are young people plenty of options of where problems when they leave school or volunteering for six months or more to go and what to do, and I college and don’t have any relevant to build up their knowledge and fully recommend it.” experience. Residential volunteering expertise, to get a foot on the first is an excellent route into this rung of the conservation ladder. Crystal Maw, a 2006/07 residential competitive sector. These are our wardens and site intern, now assistant warden on our managers of the future. Oronsay reserve. Jeff Knott, a former residential volunteer and now Species Policy Officer at RSPB HQ says,

“Lots of people want to work in conservation, and nowadays you can pretty much guarantee that most applicants will have all the necessary academic qualifications the job asks for. With competition increasing all the time for these dream jobs (and I include mine in that bracket) the single best way to make yourself stand out is by volunteering.” Peter Cairns (rspb-images.com) Peter RESERVES AND PEOPLE – A REVIEW OF 2009 77 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Whatever the reason that people decide to spend their time volunteering, it’s not only the volunteers that get something out of it; the RSPB and nature conservation also reap the benefits.

“Whether it’s monitoring bitterns or coppicing for butterflies, residential volunteers are integral to

However, not everyone who takes "When I returned home delivering great part in the residential scheme is from my week away I had conservation projects on looking for a career in conservation. learned new skills, lost our reserves. They are the There are many reasons why some weight, gained a suntan lifeblood of many reserve people just spend a week or two on and was happier, healthier operations and also the our reserves. Most people want to and fitter than I had felt for potential staff of the future. have fun, make new friends, get We couldn’t achieve what away from it all or to keep fit whilst months! Had I been to a doing something useful – and all in spa in some far-flung we do without them.” beautiful surroundings! Most are, destination? No, I had Gwyn Williams, RSPB Head of however, passionate about wildlife, spent a week volunteering Reserves and Protected Areas. nature and its conservation, and want on the Island of Ramsey." to help the RSPB make a difference. Ruth Paley (aged 51), Community Mental Health Nurse. Alan Murray (RSPB) 78 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Kate Humble opened RSPB Saltholme in March 2009.

Saltholme

Unusual? Yes. Unlikely? Perhaps. Uninteresting? Not at all. Saltholme, our wildlife reserve and discovery park in the Tees Valley, was officially opened on 6 March 2009 by Kate Humble. Four hundred hectares of marsh, open pools, wet grassland and reedbeds are a haven for wildlife in the heart of the heavily industrialised Tees Estuary. And now, it is a haven for those who enjoy the outdoors, seeing wildlife at close quarters, and the facilities that the state-of-the-art visitor centre has to offer.

AUTHOR: DAVE BRAITHWAITE, SITE MANAGER, SALTHOLME RESERVES AND PEOPLE – A REVIEW OF 2009 79 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) A huge amount of work went into this project in the run-up to the official opening. Parts of Saltholme were already known to be good for wildlife, particularly for water birds, but there was much more to do. Large parts of the site were brownfield land resulting from industrial tipping, from brine extraction and from the remains of old salt works. The place has been transformed – a tip site was turned into a wildflower meadow, old salt works were turned into reedbeds, and simply adding water to 40 ha of uninteresting grasslands invigorated Saltholme’s award-winning visitor centre. them, effectively turning them into a wildlife-rich grazing marsh. 100,000 visitors have enjoyed the site, It’s not just the birds that have The project is the result of an and 20,000 of those were from benefited from the habitat effective partnership between outside the region. The award-winning improvements and protection that Teesside Environmental Trust and the visitor centre has been a key element the site now provides. Hares boxing RSPB. The Trust took ownership of the of that enjoyment. Local architects, in the spring sunshine and foxes site by way of land transfers after ICI JDDK, created a building with modern, hunting in broad daylight have vacated it in the 1980s. Since that clean lines and spaces. Light floods in, delighted visitors. Weasels and time, there had been an ambition to as does the outside world – the views otters are respectively the smallest create a stunning reserve, good for over the wetlands are fantastic! and largest members of the same wildlife and good for people, just a family and Saltholme is home to stone’s throw away from the Providing for families has been them both. Saltholme is indeed Stockton/Middlesbrough conurbation. central to the thinking. We added an extraordinary; a space where wildlife This plan became engrained within exciting adventure play area and a thrives in close proximity to industry the Tees Valley regeneration strategy – walled wildlife garden, designed by and where people can enjoy getting a plan to bring employment and celebrity gardener Chris Beardshaw. close to wildlife. funding into a beleaguered, post- Investing in future generations is a industrial economy. The stakeholders priority at Saltholme and the schools Thanks to: invited the RSPB to join the programme gained great momentum The Single Programme via One partnership in 2000 and since then, during its first year. In all, 2,000 NorthEast and the Tees Valley we have worked together to attract pupils have received hands-on Partnership, European Regional birds and people to the site. One of education with our team of field Development Fund via the our first undertakings was to create teachers. A discovery zone was Government Office, Stockton islands in three of the large pools, and specially designed with facilities for Borough Council, Biffaward, SITA cover them with cockleshells. safe pond dipping to allow school Trust, Northern Rock Foundation, Amazingly, in response to this, the children first hand experience of Heritage Lottery Fund, Shears common tern population has grown wetland environments. And, no Foundation, Augean Plc, Premiere from zero to 400 pairs, the largest surprises, young people today find Waste and the County Durham in-shore colony in the country. discovering the wildlife in ponds just Environment Trust. as enthralling as any previous In fact, “build it and they will come” generation. This was so successful has been a winning motto for that during the summer holidays we Saltholme. In its first year, almost opened the facility up to the public. 80 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Mersehead, where Eric has lived and worked for many years.

A day in the life… of Eric Neilson

There really isn’t a “normal” day for me. My days change with the seasons. So much of my work depends on the weather and that means that when the weather is good, the days are long. My day can be anything from installing sluices and harvesting hay, to digging pools for our lapwings and other waders – and even getting dressed up as Santa!

AUTHORS: ERIC NEILSON, LAND OPERATIONS CO-ORDINATOR, MERSEHEAD (WITH HELP FROM BEN MITCHELL, ASSISTANT WARDEN, MERSEHEAD) RESERVES AND PEOPLE – A REVIEW OF 2009 81

I have been involved in many a hair- brained scheme in the name of conservation, from floating on a mire in an 18 tonne digger creating pools for red-necked phalaropes, to the stress of Kaleel Zibe (rspb-images.com) helping out with calving with the team on Islay.

Today, I am back at Mersehead at our West Preston fields reprofiling ditches to improve the site for breeding lapwings. Or as our neighbours would say, “making a right mess of a perfectly good field!” I thought like that once and I would have given us hell for making such a mess. Now though, the disappearance of farmland birds like lapwings is what saddens me. It gives me a real sense of job satisfaction to know that I am doing my best to help them.

It is almost my favourite time of year again and I am thinking about getting the ground prepared for sowing oats and wild bird cover crops. It’s a busy time but I love it because I am always on the go, setting the reserve up for the breeding season. It’s a lot of pressure because the birds are beginning to lay as I am working the field and it is a real race against the clock.

It’s great when the harvest is all Eric installing a sluice to raise water levels at Mersehead. finished and you hear the first geese coming in. You would think that I would be bored of it by now, but every year it still gives me a lump in On a sunny evening, I like to take a my throat. walk up the hill and look back down on the reserve. When the sun Life has changed at Mersehead again catches it just right it still makes me this year as I now have an assistant draw a breath and I think “I did that.” and our residential volunteers to help, and this means that I can really focus on getting the reserve ready. It’s a real delight to see the work that I have done starting to mature. 82 Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)

Dippers depend on clean upland rivers for their invertebrate food. RSPB RESERVES 2010 83

Working with the environment

Nature reserves contribute to the environment beyond their boundaries. They provide environmental benefits such as absorbing high energy waves to protect property inland. Some reserves are washlands and receive floodwater at times of high rainfall, releasing the water more slowly after the storm has passed. Other reserves are natural water-harvesting areas for water companies.

As far as possible, our nature reserves are managed to minimise their carbon footprint and maximise their value in demonstrating good environmental practice. We aim to protect their constituent species and habitats by taking measures to adapt to climate change.

Getting the most out of RSPB nature reserves is made possible with the help of a great many partnerships. These include statutory bodies, private companies, farming tenants and other nature conservation NGOs, to name but a few. 84 Colin Wilkinson (RSPB)

This reedbed reservoir has been designed to store water collected in winter to supplement the water supply to the rest of the reserve in spring and summer.

Adapting to climate change

Climate change is predicted to have widespread and potentially very damaging impacts on biodiversity. The challenges posed by climate change are quite different to those faced by nature conservation in the past, due to the high level of uncertainty. This is a product of doubt at several different levels regarding: future levels of emissions of greenhouse gases; the effects of these emissions on the climate; how land-use will change in relation to climate and other factors such as global food demand; and how species and habitats will respond to these changes.

AUTHOR: MALCOLM AUSDEN, PRINCIPAL ECOLOGIST WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT 85 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Here, we describe how we are adapting to climate change on RSPB nature reserves. We discuss the changes to our planning systems to take account of the impacts of climate change and actions that we have already taken to try to mitigate its likely damaging effects.

Practical actions Despite the uncertain future, there is enough confidence in the direction of many of the projected changes to Sixty-six ha of intertidal habitat have been created at Freiston Shore that will help offset predicted losses due to coastal squeeze. allow us to plan and act to minimise the predicted negative impacts of climate change. The main ways that sufficient replacement habitat particular plants and invertebrates we can do this on nature reserves has been created. If we do not to habitat creation sites once are by: do this, we run the risk of losing suitable conditions have been populations of species, thus developed for them. We need to • Managing existing sites in good removing sources of colonists for consider the merits and details of condition and increasing their wetland habitat created in the individual translocations carefully size through habitat creation, future. Many of the UK’s most though, to ensure that including linking patches of special freshwater and brackish translocations are not used as a valuable habitat together. wetlands are in coastal areas. quick fix or a substitute for site This is needed to increase the protection. To this end, we have resilience of populations of key • Creating areas of new habitat recently revised our policy on species to climate change on land of minimal translocation of species to and impacts, by providing favourable conservation value. We need to from RSPB reserves. conditions for them and reducing do this to compensate for other pressures on their intertidal habitat predicted to be Starting now population. Examples of these lost through coastal squeeze, and It is important to consider the pressures are the drying out of coastal wetlands predicted to be timescales over which these actions sites and threats from non-native damaged or lost through need to be taken. Some actions need species. Even if conditions increased inundation by sea to take place now, where they have eventually become unsuitable for water. It will also provide priority long-term implications, or take a long a species at a site, it is important habitat in areas where it does not time to realise their conservation that this species remains currently exist, but where it could benefits. Examples of the former are productive in the meantime. support characteristic species in acquisitions to increase the size of This will ensure that there are future. sites and the resilience of their sufficient excess individuals to habitats and species populations, and colonise new sites. Management • Translocating high priority the development of infrastructure of existing sites will also evolve to species between sites in the required now to secure long-term accommodate the needs of UK. This will be required to help water supply at wetlands. For colonising species. maintain the UK’s rarest species. example, we have constructed Priorities are likely to be reservoirs to store winter water for • Defending coastal freshwater translocating rare invertebrates use at wetlands in spring and and brackish wetlands from confined to threatened coastal summer at Otmoor, Northward Hill inundation by sea water until wetlands, and translocating and Frampton Marsh reserves. 86 WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

site. In many cases, climate change will exacerbate pressures caused by other factors.

Our existing management planning system for nature reserves is well- suited to take account of the impacts of climate change (see over).

Peter Cairns (rspb-images.com) Peter Priorities and targets for our nature reserve network as a whole are set out in our Reserves Conservation Strategy. These priorities are reflected in the management plans for individual reserves. Each management plan includes a 25-year vision for the site, which is a suitable timescale over which to consider the likely impacts of climate change. This 25-year vision sets out the context in which to decide quantified, 5-year objectives for the site. These Drainage ditch blocked to raise water levels in peatland at Forsinard objectives aim to maintain the special Flows to protect the carbon store and provide habitat for waders. species and habitats at the site, and contribute to realising the longer- term vision. At Forsinard Flows, Lake Vyrnwy and encouraging regeneration of Geltsdale, we have blocked drains on appropriate tree species in suitable Progress towards achieving reserves’ blanket bog to help restore the areas. If we want to extend tree 5-year objectives is reviewed annually natural hydrology and re-commence cover to increase the resilience of through the production and auditing accumulation of peat. sites several decades hence, these of Reserve Annual Reports. This trees need to be established now. allows us to identify any additional We have aimed to increase the size actions and capital projects that of individual reserves, for biological Conversely, in many cases, changes might be required to enable us to reasons and because larger sites are in site management aimed at meet our site management cheaper to manage per unit area. increasing resilience and objectives. Finally, management plans Since the beginning of our current accommodating new species do not are reviewed every five years through Reserves Conservation Strategy in need to be planned over such long a process involving key stakeholders. 2005, 74% of the area of land timescales, for example grazing During this process, we review acquired has been in the form of management. Instead, these can take the 25-year vision and re-set 5-year extensions to increase the area of place in response to observed objectives, in the light of our ability existing sites. changes in populations and to achieve our previous 5-year distribution of species, and increases objectives, changes in priorities and Examples of actions which take a in our understanding. new information. long time to realise their conservation benefits are recreation and Planning for climate change We have recently updated this existing restoration of priority habitats on land It is important not to consider climate system to take into account planning of negligible conservation value (see change in isolation from other factors for the impacts of climate change. page 12), and planting and influencing the management of a These changes involve incorporating: WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT 87

• the latest climate projections for Climate change and habitat individual reserves (UKCP09) re-creation – what we have • an assessment of how climate already done change is likely to affect the Since the 1990s, we have been important species and habitats re-creating habitats to help offset Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) at the site historical losses and predicted future • a section describing the rationale losses. We have often designed and for making any major changes to located sites specifically with the site objectives or species targets impacts of climate change in mind. since the previous management For reedbeds, we have been partners plan. This will allow us to track in two EC LIFE Bittern projects that long-term changes in our have created a strategic network of objectives and our ability to reedbeds suitable for bitterns away Planting reeds to create new ditches achieve them at individual sites. from areas of the coast, where existing freshwater reedbeds are Trialling of these changes at reserves vulnerable to saline inundation. This has included creating reedbeds at has not resulted in any fundamental Ham Wall and Lakenheath Fen, and creating and restorating reedbeds changes in objectives – we would not at RSPB reserves in North Wales. expect to be doing so yet, given future uncertainties. However, some We have created areas of intertidal habitat at six sites – Havergate of the schemes to alleviate the Island, Freiston Shore, Nigg Bay, Goosemoor, Hesketh Out Marsh and effects of climate change are now Skinflats. At the Wallasea Island Wild Coast Project (see page 48), it is seen as higher priorities and they planned to create wide, gently sloping, higher areas of land between have become more urgent. cells of intertidal habitat, known as “sea level rise adaptation zones”. These are designed to ensure that a range of intertidal habitats can Conclusions survive as sea levels change. Much of the management required to increase the resilience of important At the Ouse Washes, habitat has been created to provide areas for species and habitats to climate breeding waders in years when the rest of the Washes are flooded in change involves basic, good spring and early summer (see page 26). These areas are likely to conservation practice, but there are become increasingly important, given the predicted increases in also things we have to do to address frequency of extreme rainfall events, and associated likelihood of the impacts of climate change. We spring and summer flooding at this site. will continue to refine our thinking and guidance in the light of increased We have started re-creating lowland heathland at The Lodge, to understanding and observed changes enable lowland heathland species to extend their distribution into in the distributions and populations of new geographical areas. The location of calcareous grassland species, and condition of habitats. creation at Winterbourne Downs will help link together the two large Meanwhile, we must do all we can to blocks of calcareous grassland on Salisbury Plain and Porton Down. help ensure the levels of greenhouse At Abernethy, we have now agreed plans to accelerate the rate of gases do not continue to rise, in spread of native pinewood to higher altitudes through planting to order to prevent more damaging help maintain the rich fauna and flora found in this habitat. impacts of climate change on people and wildlife. The area of land entered into habitat re-creation/restoration on RSPB reserves since 1994 is shown on page 15. 88 WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

We expect to need more livestock to keep grasslands short for breeding waders with a longer growing season.

RSPB’s reserve management planning system

RSPB’s Reserves Conservation Strategy Management plan

Defines 25-year vision priorities Review of 25-yr vision and re-setting of 5-yr objectives 5-year objectives

Management Plan Review of previous 5 years Management & monitoring pathfinder meeting prescriptions

• Implement actions New information • Record actions Any modifications • Monitor outcomes to prescriptions

Annual report audit Audits progress & identifies any: Annual report • Information gaps – research, Reports on progress survey & monitoring projects towards achieving • Additional resources for 5-year objectives capital projects • Problem-solving projects WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT 89

Climatic information used to inform management planning on RSPB reserves The graphs below show examples of the key climatic information that we are using in reserve management planning. The examples are for RSPB Blacktoft Sands reserve.

Information on these are taken from the UKCP09 climate projections for the UK (see http://ukclimateprojections.defra.gov.uk). We are using projections based on the IPCC high emissions scenarios, because world emissions are currently close to this high emissions trajectory. The graphs show medians, upper quartiles and lower quartiles of 3,000 runs.

Current 2030 high emission scenario

Mean monthly maximum temperature Mean monthly maximum temperature 30 30

25 25

20 20

°C 15 °C 15

10 10

5 5

0 0 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Number of growth days per month Number of growth days per month 35 35

30 30

25 25

20 20 Days Days 15 15

10 10

5 5

0 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

P ote ntia l s oil moisture de fic it P ote ntia l s oil moisture de fic it Jan F eb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec 0 0

-50 -50

-100 -100

-150 -150 mm mm

-200 -200

-250 -250

-300 -300 90 Robin Standring (RSPB) Robin

Preserving the historic environment

The RSPB is a guardian of a surprising variety of archaeological and historical remains on its reserves – ranging from discrete sites to entire ancient landscapes. This rich historic environment is currently being studied thanks to a grant provided by English Heritage. Our work is focusing on how we can understand, manage and preserve these landscapes, as well as present them to our visitors.

AUTHOR: ROBIN STANDRING, RESERVES ARCHAEOLOGIST WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT 91 Robin Standring (RSPB)

Removal of scrub growth from this Bronze Age barrow at Stoborough Heath will help to preserve the earthwork. Reserve warden, Toby Branston, is looking down into a 19th century “robber trench”.

We have 80 Scheduled Ancient instance, maintaining high water Most English heathland probably Monuments on our English reserves levels on our wetland reserves originated in the Late Neolithic or (about half the UK total), all of which protects buried organic Early Bronze Age, through land must be actively managed in order to archaeological remains, such as clearance and grazing with cattle and conserve them for perpetuity. These wood and peat. We are seeking to sheep. It is only in recent times (19th sites are a diverse group – ranging manage all archaeological sites on and 20th centuries) that a reduction from prehistoric burial mounds and RSPB reserves as sensitively as in grazing, the introduction of hill forts to 19th century duck decoys possible regardless of their protected plantation forestry and widespread and World War II defences. These status and where possible, interpret urbanisation has led to the loss of legally protected sites are often the them for reserve visitors. Often our around 75% of this heathland. visible and ‘above ground’ evidence archaeological sites demonstrate part of past human activity with which of the human story of how these At Arne, Grange and Stoborough, we our visitors can engage. valuable habitats were created; are restoring around 500 ha of examples of this are illustrated by heathland by the removal of gorse However, this is only the tip of the the reserves at Arne and Rainham scrub and conifer stands, funded by iceberg of what we have; national Marshes. an Environmental Stewardship grant. estimates suggest that protected As part of this work, the barrows are sites may be as little as 5% of Our reserve at Arne in , being put back into their original known , let alone those incorporating Grange and Stoborough landscape context – emerging from buried sites that are still waiting to Heaths, is rich in prehistoric remains. stands of trees and scrub – to once be discovered. We have found that There are 11 Late Neolithic/Bronze Age again be prominent features of the there are important links and barrows (burial mounds from around landscape for reserve visitors. benefits between habitat and historic 3-4,000 years ago), of which nine are The removal of trees and scrub environment protection. For Scheduled Ancient Monuments. prevents long-term damage to the 92 WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Twentieth century archaeology at Rainham Marshes.

monuments caused by roots and round barrow on Stoborough Heath now managed by the RSPB because “heave” from falling trees (a greater came 25 Bronze Age axes…” of a focus on the coastal foreshore, risk on the barrow slopes). Once saltmarsh and open heathland. This clear, these features will be regularly Our efforts to conserve and has unsurprisingly left a legacy of maintained as part of our regenerate heathland at Arne are World War II archaeological sites on management of the site. protecting the archaeological sites our reserves, the best-known of that date the emergence of this which is at Rainham Marshes. Other After removing some of the habitat. Our work is protecting these sites are listed in the table below. encroaching vegetation, reserve staff barrows for perpetuity, and also These include defences against made a surprising find of 19th conserving them within their original invasion, military training areas and century “robber trenches” in the heathland and landscape context decoys built to draw enemy planes Stoborough barrows, demonstrating through making them visible again away from cities. how much these features were and protecting a variety of hidden disturbed in the era before sensitive archaeological remains. Rainham, Waveley and Wennington management. Barrow digging was a Marshes were used as a military pastime often conducted by 19th English Heritage has estimated that firing range for over 100 years until century gentlemen at a time when as much as 20% of the total land the land was decommissioned in the the barrows were entirely visible, as area of Britain was under active 1990s and purchased by the RSPB. In heaths were still being grazed. Our military control by 1944. There is a highly urbanised landscape, subsequent research has found a likely to have been an even higher surrounded by housing, industry and record of significant finds, “from a percentage of military use on land landfill sites, this military land use is the only reason that fragments of Site Feature these coastal marshes have survived Arne Heavy Flak Position, camp and night time the development pressures of the bombing decoy 20th century. It is only fitting that Broadwater Warren Military training area many of the military features have The Lodge Ammunition storage depot and camp been incorporated into the reserve Minsmere Anti-invasion defences design and are preserved and Rainham Marshes Firing range, ammunition storage and interpreted as part of the landscape anti-glider ditches story at Rainham. South Essex Marshes Anti-glider ditches Titchwell Firing range and coastal defences WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT 93 Robin Standring (RSPB)

One of a pair of World War II tanks buried in the beach at Titchwell Marsh. 94 Dave Watts

The critically-endangered Sumatran tiger. Monitoring shows that Harapan Rainforest could support between 30 and 50 of these magnificent animals. RSPB RESERVES 2010 95

Working internationally

The RSPB is part of the BirdLife International partnership and works with over 20 countries around the world and in the UK Overseas Territories. Our work involves building the capacity of other BirdLife Partners to become strong and independent nature conservation organisations, and a strong voice for nature in their countries. We also help them to set up, raise funds for and implement important projects in their own countries. Often we get involved with training the staff of our partner organisations in areas such as scientific research, management planning and management of protected areas. Here, we present two of our most ambitious international projects, in Indonesia and Belarus/Ukraine. 96

Three mobile schools provide a basic education for children from the indigenous Bathin Sembilan

Geoff Welch (RSPB) Welch Geoff community.

Harapan Rainforest

Harapan Rainforest is 100,000 ha of dry lowland rainforest in Sumatra, Indonesia. It represents about 20% of what is left of this highly threatened habitat in Sumatra, and is home to species such as the critically-endangered Sumatran tiger, Asian elephant, clouded leopard and over 290 species of bird. In 1900, there was about 16 million hectares of this forest type in Sumatra. Following the boom in logging in the 1970s and subsequent conversion of logged forests to oil palm and pulp plantations, there is now less than half a million hectares remaining.

AUTHOR: IAN ROWLAND, TROPICAL FORESTRY CONSERVATION MANAGER WORKING INTERNATIONALLY 97

Harapan Rainforest is not an RSPB assessment of the site was started, Harapan Rainforest management reserve in the strict sense, because and this will be completed by the end team and the communities within the we don’t own or manage it of 2010. That work includes training Harapan Rainforest area. Following exclusively. It is managed by a wardens to be involved in biodiversity on from these, the two parties will consortium of the RSPB, BirdLife survey work, and creating a collaborate to support the International and Burung Indonesia herbarium for the collection and communities in developing (BirdLife in Indonesia), under a long identification of botanical samples. sustainable livelihoods that do not lease of 100 years from the depend on damaging the forest. Indonesian Government. Harapan Rainforest is not pristine rainforest. Most of it has been Harapan Rainforest is a project where Following a World Bank report that selectively logged. However, the links between conservation and predicted the imminent loss of biodiversity is high and regeneration sustainable livelihoods for local Sumatra’s dry lowland forests is generally good. communities are closely tied together. (Indonesia: Environment and Natural A key message of the project is that Resource Management in a Time of Until 2013, work will focus strongly biodiversity is central to developing Transition, 2001), the BirdLife on protecting the forest from illegal and maintaining sustainable livelihoods consortium began an initiative to logging, restoring the forest and for rural communities. protect some of the last remaining working with local communities to areas. By 2004, Burung Indonesia reduce their dependence on There is a further significant aspect had managed, through skilful potentially damaging forest-use to management at Harapan advocacy and with the support of the practises. The current community Rainforest: the protection and RSPB, to get Indonesian forestry development focus is on developing sequestration of carbon. Protection of legislation changed to allow logged village resource management tropical forests has been identified as forests to be managed for ecosystem agreements with neighbouring one of the most cost effective ways restoration rather than being cleared communities. These define the rights of avoiding the release of further for pulp or oil palm plantations. and responsibilities of both the carbon into the atmosphere.

In 2005, the area now known as Harapan Rainforest was formally The 23 camera traps provide important information on species identified by the Indonesian presence and distribution, including this bearded pig. Government as being designated for ecosystem restoration. The licence for the first of the two forestry concessions that make up the Harapan Rainforest area was issued in early 2008. The second licence was held by a logging concessionaire until mid-2007, when it was returned to the Government. The consortium applied for this licence in mid-2008, and as of early 2010 the process of awarding the licence is close to completion.

Field activities began in 2007 with the restoration of a former logging camp, and the appointment of more than 100 staff – 80% of whom are from local communities. In early 2008, a comprehensive biodiversity 98 WORKING INTERNATIONALLY Geoff Welch (RSPB) Welch Geoff

Harapan Rainforest’s three tree nurseries have already produced 45,000 seedlings from 45 species.

Restoring logged forest such as to come. Indonesia has 60 million Indonesia (BirdLife in Indonesia) and Harapan Rainforest will not only ha of forests, of which 30 million ha BirdLife International. We are very protect existing carbon stores, but are considered to be logged out and grateful to the following organisations sequester additional carbon from the without any clear management. for providing financial support for the atmosphere. These areas are highly susceptible to initiative: the German Ministry of the clearance for oil palm or pulp Environment through the German Research is important here because plantations, or for small-scale development bank, KfW; the it informs all management decisions. agriculture. Harapan Rainforest European Union; the British In addition to the baseline provides a workable model for the Government’s Darwin Initiative; the biodiversity surveys, a number of management and protection of these Care for Nature Trust; the Nando species-specific research projects are areas. Ten further applications are Peretti Foundation; Naturally Plus; US also underway on agile gibbons, sun- already being considered by the Fish and Wildlife Service; bears and nestboxes for hornbills. It Indonesian Ministry of Forestry for International Association for Bear is hoped that similar projects can be other ecosystem restoration licences. Research and Management; Disney set up for Asian elephants, pangolins, World Wide Conservation Fund; Sea Malayan tapir and the critically- Thanks to: World/Busch Gardens Conservation endangered Sumatran tiger. Harapan Rainforest would not be Fund, The Co-operative Bank Think possible without the constant and Card and Conservation International; Despite its success to date, the real committed support of project The Michael Marks Charitable Trust; benefit of Harapan Rainforest is yet consortium members Burung and DOF (BirdLife in Denmark). WORKING INTERNATIONALLY 99 Geoff Welch(RSPB)

Tree platforms are used for wildlife and fire monitoring. 100 Olga Chabrovskaja, UNDP-GEF Peatlands Project Peatlands Chabrovskaja, UNDP-GEF Olga

Wetland vegetation is establishing between one and two years after restoration of the hydrological regime.

Restoring Belarusian and Ukrainian Peatlands: halting the loss of peat and biodiversity

Vast areas of peatlands in Belarus and Ukraine have been drained. The draining of this land is not only causing losses in the species that depend on them, but is also releasing between 3.5 to 6.9 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per hectare of degraded peatland every year.

AUTHOR: ZBIGNIEW KARPOWICZ , BELARUS COUNTRY PROGRAMMES OFFICER & PROGRAMME COORDINATOR FOR CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY PROJECTS WORKING INTERNATIONALLY 101

Through an innovative arrangement – Financial Belarus. The target is 14,000 ha by firstly with the Global Environment Governments will not allocate funds 2011. We have only just started in Facility (GEF), via the United Nations for rewetting and maintaining peat Ukraine, but agreements are in place Development Programme (UNDP) unless there is an economic incentive to rewet more than 20,000 ha. office in Belarus, and now with the for them to do so. The value of the German Ministry for the Environment, land and associated marketable carbon How will we know if we have via the German Development Bank, credits will generate enough revenue been successful? KfW – BirdLife Belarus, the Michael to maintain the rewetted areas and Our German partners, led by Prof Succow Foundation and the RSPB manage them for wildlife, and to rewet Hans Joosten, have constructed a have been working to bring water new areas of drained peat. model to predict the effects of back to these enormous areas. This rewetting on the greenhouse gas will benefit their special biodiversity There might also be enough income emissions from the sites. We are and significantly reduce the loss of to set up an endowment to cover the measuring the emissions in the field this huge carbon store. costs of managing protected wildlife to validate the model and to show that sites in the country. The Government greenhouse gases can be What are we trying to do? of Belarus has offered 260,000 ha of permanently locked away in the peat. The project has three components: the 360,000 ha peatlands available for Here, we are taking into account rewetting. If the project shows that it carbon dioxide and methane, but not Policy is financially viable, the rewetting can nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is difficult Through the Voluntary Carbon continue year after year. Typical to measure, and we already know that Association, we are developing an species that will benefit include a rewetting peat effectively eliminates international standard that will give range of wetland species like aquatic any nitrous oxide emissions. peatlands, an economic value from warblers and great snipe, and wider- their carbon storage. The idea is that ranging birds like greater spotted We believe that rewetting sites to peat will have a tradeable carbon value eagles (see list on page 103). store carbon will also bring significant that can be traded, in the absence of a wildlife benefits and we look forward formal market linked to the UNFCCC, What have we achieved so far? to gaining a greater understanding of on the voluntary market. This means We have already rewetted 7,000 ha in these. Will aquatic warblers that peatlands will not have to be 2009, the first year of the project in immediately return with the returning destroyed to provide income, and rewetting peat will be more profitable than draining it.

Technical Olga UNDP-GEF Chabrovskaja, Peatlands Project We are developing ways of monitoring and measuring rewetted peat bogs. Normally this would entail installing expensive equipment at each site, but we are developing a model (known as GEST), which will be able to monitor large areas for little cost. These methods will allow us to show how much peat has been restored and therefore its carbon value, and to find out the optimum conditions for retaining carbon and for providing habitat for threatened species, such as the aquatic warbler. Heavy machinery is used to block the drains. 102 WORKING INTERNATIONALLY

waters? To understand the effects of Our monitoring methods include: an market (the compliance market): they rewetting, a large-scale monitoring early morning survey based on the can only be used in the voluntary programme has been set up. This standard breeding bird survey already market. This is largely because we could be one of the largest field used in Belarus; a midday raptor have not been able to prove that experiments in Europe, on the scale survey; and an evening survey to look rewetting peat bogs can permanently of thousands of hectares, with for crepuscular species such as reduce the amount of carbon in the rewetted plots mirrored by unwetted corncrakes, little bitterns, aquatic atmosphere. The project in Belarus is peatlands. We can compare the warblers and great snipe. tackling these issues with its rigorous biodiversity of the two habitats and monitoring and mapping, which see whether the peatland wildlife The results will help us develop should lead to the verification of the comes back to the rewetted areas. management protocols that will GEST model. A scientific paper has create the best conditions for wildlife. already been submitted for The original peatland plants and In the long term, we hope to develop publication, and once the model has animals are often missing from the a more rapid habitat assessment been approved and accepted, we will degraded peatlands. We have based on remote sensing methods, have what we need to take an selected some target species, which will let us monitor an even important step towards including including popular and beautiful larger area. wetlands into the compliance market. species of birds, orchids and This will make them a valuable global butterflies, and the less well-known The future commodity. The area of degraded rare, protected or threatened species. Peatlands are not yet included in the peat is vast, so there is vast potential We will monitor these species and carbon trading of the Kyoto Protocol. to benefit biodiversity and climate. see how many of them return to the This means that they cannot be used rewetted peat. in the enforceable emissions trading Mike Lane (rspb-images.com)

Aquatic warbler WORKING INTERNATIONALLY 103 Chris Knights (rspb-images.com)

Ferruginous duck

Priority bird species for peatland restoration, with their global, European and national conservation status.

English name Latin name Global European European trend Belarus status status status Ferruginous duck Aythya nyroca Near threatened Vulnerable Large decline Red list Bittern Botaurus stellaris Stable Red list Little bittern Ixobrychus minutus Stable Red list Black stork Ciconia nigra Stable Red list White-tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla Large increase Red list Greater spotted eagle Aquila clanga Vulnerable Endangered Large decline Red list Little crake Porzana parva Small decline Red list Corncrake Crex crex Fluctuating Red list Crane Grus grus Large increase Red list Golden plover Pluvialis apricaria Unknown Red list Great snipe Gallinago media Near threatened Moderate decline Red list Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus Unknown Red list Curlew Numenius arquata Near threatened Moderate decline Red list Common gull Larus canus Unknown Red list Eagle owl Bubo bubo Stable Red list Bluethroat Luscinia svecica Stable Red list Aquatic warbler Acrocephalus paludicola Vulnerable Vulnerable Moderate decline Red list 104 Ernie Janes (rspb-images.com)Ernie Janes

Thank you to our supporters

Our conservation work on reserves has been made possible by a large number of people and organisations. We would like to thank our members, volunteers, individual and legacy donors, charitable trusts, business supporters, public bodies, non-governmental organisations, the statutory sector and government agencies for the support we have received. A comprehensive list of our funders and supporters for the financial years 2008/9 and 2009/10 can be found in the relevant RSPB Annual Review.

Join us If you would like to support the RSPB in working for a healthy environment for birds and wildlife to create a better world for us all, then please contact us at one of the addresses on the back cover. The RSPB

UK Headquarters The Lodge, Sandy, SG19 2DL Tel: 01767 680551

Northern Ireland Headquarters Belvoir Park Forest, Belfast BT8 7QT Tel: 028 9049 1547

Scotland Headquarters Dunedin House, 25 Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3TP Tel: 0131 311 6500

Wales Headquarters House, Castlebridge, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB Tel: 029 2035 3000 www.rspb.org.uk

The RSPB speaks out for birds and wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Nature is amazing – help us keep it that way.

We belong to BirdLife International, the global BirdLife INTERNATIONAL partnership of bird conservation organisations.

As a charity, the RSPB is dependent on the goodwill and financial support of people like you. Please visit www.rspb.org.uk/supporting or call 01767 680551 to find out more.

Front cover: corncrake by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England & Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654 120-1827-09-10 104A1 RSPB RESERVES 2010

Appendix 1:Trends of key breeding bird species on RSPB reserves between 1994 and 2009

This is an appendix to RSPB Reserves 2010. You can download the main document from www.rspb.org.uk/reserves_review Here, we show changes in populations of key breeding birds on the area of land managed by the RSPB since 1994. Any changes in population size are not due to inclusion of birds on land acquired after 1994 as these areas have been excluded from the analysis. We show changes in populations for the priority breeding species on reserves, and those for which our reserves support > 10% of the UK breeding population, apart from the following species that have not been regularly monitored on all reserves on which they breed: storm petrel, gadwall, pintail, shoveler, goldeneye, purple sandpiper, whimbrel, kittiwake, guillemot, razorbill, bearded tit, crested tit, Scottish crossbill and snow bunting.

In the case of breeding kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills, monitoring has shown large declines in important populations of these species at our reserves bordering the , particularly those in Shetland. Reductions in food supply are implicated in these declines (see RSPB Reserves 2009).

Seabirds

Gannet Little tern

The graph above shows numbers of breeding gannets at Numbers of breeding little terns have fluctuated from year Grassholm, Bempton Cliffs and Noup Cliffs – the three sites at to year, but with a strong suggestion of an underlying which gannets have bred. Numbers of gannets at Grassholm and downward trend. Nationally, little terns have Bempton Cliffs have not been surveyed annually, and numbers in shown a long-term decline. the graph have been interpolated between counts. Grassholm supports about 12% of the world population of gannets. Gannets first started breeding at Noup Cliffs in 2003. RSPB RESERVES 2010 A2

Mediterranean gull Roseate tern

Mediterranean gulls have bred at 15 sites. Numbers of breeding The graph shows numbers of breeding roseate terns at Coquet Mediterranean gulls have increased in the UK over this period, and Island (red) and on other land managed by the RSPB in 1994 (blue). our reserves support a high proportion of their UK breeding Coquet Island supports the majority of the UK breeding population population. of roseate terns, and approximately 3% of their European population.

Species of coastal heath and grassland

Sandwich tern Chough

Numbers of breeding Sandwich terns have fluctuated on the area of Numbers of breeding choughs have increased slightly. The population land managed by the RSPB in 1994, but with a suggestion of an has increased nationally over this period. underlying downward trend. Nationally, numbers of Sandwich terns have shown no marked trend over the last 25 years. A3 RSPB RESERVES 2010

Species of upland habitats

Black grouse Black-tailed godwit (islandica race)

The graph shows numbers of lekking black grouse at Abernethy (red) Numbers of the islandica race of black-tailed godwits have increased and those on the other areas of land managed by the RSPB in 1994 on RSPB reserves. This reflects the increase of the Icelandic (blue). The large increase at Abernethy in the mid-1990s is likely to population of this race. have been due to a reduction in grazing pressure to allow regeneration of native pine forest. Increases at Lake Vyrnwy and Geltsdale are responsible for the recent upward trend. Management has been undertaken specifically to benefit this species at both sites. Black grouse have declined in the UK as a whole between repeat surveys in 1991–92 and 2004.

Hen harrier Red-necked phalarope

Numbers of breeding hen harriers have increased due almost Numbers of breeding red-necked phalaropes have fluctuated entirely to increases in numbers on our reserves in Orkney. Hen markedly at our reserves and elsewhere in the Northern Isles, but harriers increased in the UK as a whole between repeat surveys in show a large, underlying decline since the mid-1990s. It is possible 1988–89 and 2004. that climatic conditions in this species’ wintering grounds have a significant effect on numbers returning to breed each year. RSPB RESERVES 2010 A4

Slavonian grebe Wood sandpiper (numbers on the whole of Loch Ruthven)

Loch Ruthven is the only regular breeding site for Slavonian grebes Wood sandpipers have bred on two of our reserves since 1994. on our reserves. We present numbers on the Loch as a whole, rather Numbers have fluctuated from year to year for no apparent reason. than on just the RSPB-managed section. This is because the birds nesting on this RSPB-managed section form part of the wider population of the Loch.

Species of native pinewood Species found mainly on machair Capercaillie Corncrake

Numbers of lekking male capercaillie have fluctuated at Abernethy, The large increase in breeding corncrakes on our reserves has the only area of land managed by RSPB in 1994 on which this played an important role in the recovery of the UK’s breeding species breeds. Habitat management and predator control have been corncrake population. carried out to benefit this species, but can probably only increase productivity in years when the weather is suitable. There is strong evidence that productivity of capercaillie is strongly affected by summer weather conditions. There was no significant change in the UK population between repeat surveys in 1992–93 and 2003–04. A5 RSPB RESERVES 2010

Species of lowland heath and acid grassland

Dartford warbler Nightjar

Numbers of breeding Dartford warblers increased until 2003, but have Numbers of churring nightjars have remained relatively stable. The subsequently declined. The decline in 2009 was almost certainly figures in the graph above exclude numbers of churring nightjars at caused by the preceding hard winter. The figures in the graph above Arne (42 in 2009) and Grange Heath (eight in 2009), where these do not include numbers at Arne (39 pairs in 2006), where they are not species are not monitored annually. Nationally, the population surveyed across the whole of the reserve every year. During the increased between repeat surveys in 1982 and 2003. period shown, Dartford warblers colonised Minsmere and other heathlands on the Suffolk coast. Nationally, Dartford warblers increased in range and numbers over this period, but are also thought to have declined following the 2008–09 winter.

Stone-curlew Woodlark

The graph above shows numbers of breeding stone-curlews on Numbers of woodlarks have fluctuated. Nationally, the population has lowland acid grassland and heathland created on ex-arable land and been increasing in range and numbers. cleared plantation at Minsmere, the only area of land managed by the RSPB in 1994 on which stone-curlews have bred. Stone-curlews first nested on the ex-arable land six years after it had been taken out of agricultural production. Numbers of breeding stone-curlews have also increased nationally over this period, as a result of targeted conservation action. RSPB RESERVES 2010 A6

Lowland wet grassland waders For lowland wet grassland waders (lapwing, snipe, redshank and the limosa race of black-tailed godwit), numbers are shown separately for the RSPB-managed section of the Ouse Washes (blue). This is because numbers of these species breeding at the Ouse Washes fluctuate greatly from year to year, depending on the extent of spring and summer flooding, which is outside of our control.

Black-tailed godwit (limosa race) Lapwing

The graph shows numbers of breeding limosa race black-tailed Overall, numbers of breeding lapwings have remained fairly stable, godwits on our reserves on the area of land at the Nene Washes with populations at some sites increasing, and populations at other (red), Ouse Washes (blue), and other RSPB reserves (green) sites decreasing. The fairly stable population on reserves as a managed in 1994. Total numbers of breeding black-tailed godwits whole contrasts with the large declines that have taken place on have increased on the area of land managed by the RSPB in 1994. lowland wet grassland in England and Wales, and in the wider The increase at the Nene Washes more than offsets the loss of breeding birds on the RSPB-managed section of the Ouse Washes. countryside. The loss of breeding black-tailed godwits at the Ouse Washes has been caused by an increase in the frequency of spring and summer flooding, which is outside our control. The numbers shown above represent most of the UK’s breeding population of limosa race black-tailed godwits, which are confined as breeding birds to lowland wet grassland.

Redshank Snipe

Overall, numbers of breeding redshanks have increased on the area Numbers of breeding snipe have increased (other than at the Ouse of lowland wet grassland managed by the RSPB in 1994. Breeding Washes). This overall increase has been the result of increases in redshanks have experienced a long-term decline on lowland wet numbers at the Nene Washes, West Sedgemoor, Mersehead and grassland in England. Loch Gruinart. Breeding snipe have experienced a long-term decline in numbers on lowland wet grassland in England and Wales. Our reserves now support the majority of lowland breeding snipe in these countries. A7 RSPB RESERVES 2010

Lowland wetland species

Avocet Bittern

Numbers of breeding avocets have increased. Five of our existing Bitterns have increased following habitat management undertaken reserves have been colonised by breeding avocets over this period. to provide suitable conditions for this species. The increase on our As with marsh harriers, the young produced on our reserves must reserves has helped fuel the recovery of the UK population, with have been, and will probably continue to be, important in fuelling Minsmere being particularly important in providing young birds to the recovery and range expansion of avocets in the UK. colonise other sites.

Black-necked grebe Cetti’s warbler

The graph shows numbers of breeding black-necked grebes at Loch Breeding Cetti’s warblers have increased markedly on our reserves, of Kinnordy, the only area of land managed by the RSPB in 1994 reflecting their expansion in numbers and range in the UK as a that has supported breeding black-necked grebes. These birds are whole. The graph above excludes figures for three areas of land well known for rapidly building up in numbers at particular sites, and managed by the RSPB in 1994: Weymouth reserves (75 singing then deserting them. It is not clear why black-necked grebes have males in 2008) and Mid Yare (22 singing males in the survey area at deserted Loch of Kinnordy. Nationally, they have shown a long- term this site in 2009) and North Warren (15 singing males in 2009). This increase in numbers. is because numbers of breeding Cetti’s warblers have not been surveyed every year at these sites, or survey methods have changed at these sites between 1994 and 2009. RSPB RESERVES 2010 A8

Garganey Little egret

Numbers of breeding garganey on our reserves have fluctuated Colonies of little egrets have become established at three sites on from year to year, reflecting annual variations in numbers of this the area of land managed by the RSPB in 1994. These colonies have species arriving in the UK each spring. contributed to the large and rapid increase in the UK population of little egrets.

Marsh harrier Spotted crake

Marsh harriers have increased. The young produced at our reserves As with garganey, numbers of breeding spotted crakes on our must have played, and must still be playing, an important role in reserves have fluctuated from year to year, reflecting annual fuelling the recovery of the UK marsh harrier population. variations in numbers of this species arriving in the UK each spring.