RSPB RESERVES 2009 Black Park Ramna Stacks & Gruney Fetlar Lumbister

RSPB RESERVES 2009 Black Park Ramna Stacks & Gruney Fetlar Lumbister

Mousa Loch of Spiggie Sumburgh Head

Noup Cliffs North Hill Birsay Moors Trumland The Loons and Loch of Banks Onziebust Mill Dam Marwick Head Brodgar Cottasgarth & Rendall Moss Copinsay Hoy Hobbister Eilean Hoan

Loch na Muilne Blar Nam Faoileag Forsinard Flows

Priest Island Troup Head Edderton Sands Nigg and Udale Bays Balranald Culbin Sands Loch of Strathbeg Fairy Glen Drimore Farm Loch Ruthven Eileanan Dubha Corrimony Ballinglaggan Abernethy Insh Marshes

Fowlsheugh Glenborrodale The Reef Coll Loch of Kinnordy Isle of Tiree

Skinflats Tay reedbeds Inversnaid Balnahard and Garrison Farm Vane Farm Oronsay Inner Clyde Fidra Fannyside Smaull Farm Lochwinnoch Inchmickery Loch Gruinart/Ardnave Baron’s Haugh The Oa Horse Island Aird’s Moss Rathlin Ailsa Craig Coquet Island Lough Foyle Ken-Dee Marshes Kirkconnell Merse Wood of Cree Campfield Marsh Larne Lough Islands Mersehead Geltsdale Belfast Lough Lower Lough Erne Islands Portmore Lough Mull of Galloway & Scar Rocks Saltholme Haweswater St Bees Head Aghatirourke Strangford Bay & Sandy Island 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 Morfa Dinlle Coombes & Churnet Valleys Migneint Freiston Shore Titchwell Marsh Lake Vyrnwy Frampton Marsh Snettisham Sutton Fen Mawddach Woodlands Middleton Lakes Mid Yare Valley How Hill Fen Nene Washes Berney Marshes & Breydon Water Ynys-hir Sandwell Valley Ouse Washes 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 Nor Marsh & Motney Hill Normanton Down Shorne Marshes Elmley Marshes Ham Wall Farnham Heath Blean Woods Chapel Wood Barfold Copse Tudeley Woods Greylake Isley Marsh West Sedgemoor Broadwater Warren Garston Wood Dungeness Fore Wood Aylesbeare Common Avon Heath Adur Estuary Lewes Brooks Exe Estuary Arne Pulborough Brooks and Amberley Wildbrooks 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 2009 A review of our work COMPILED BY JO GILBERT AND MALCOLM AUSDEN

Contents

Introduction: Change in an uncertain world 5

Reserves and wildlife – a review of 2008 6 Progress towards species targets 8 Habitat creation and restoration 12 Land acquisition 14 Condition of RSPB-managed SSSIs/ASSIs 15

Protecting threatened birds 16 Rathlin Island – a stepping stone for range expansion 18 Bitterns return to Somerset 20 Thirty years of seabird monitoring at Sumburgh Head 22 Storm petrel monitoring on Priest Island 24

Restoring lost habitats 26 Berney Marshes – a special place 28 Restoring the Ribble saltmarshes – managed realignment at Hesketh Out Marsh 32 Restoring blanket bog at Lake Vrynwy 34 Improvements for waders and ditch invertebrates at Greylake 40

Beyond birds – improving conditions for wildlife 44 Conserving our rarest plants and animals 46 Tooth fungus recording at Abernethy 50 Controlling invasive non-native plants 54

Reserves and people – a review of 2008 56 Welcoming visitors 58 Bringing nature closer to people 60 The RSPB’s field teaching 62 Thornhill Primary School visits RSPB Old Moor 63 Volunteering towards the vision – a team effort at Middleton Lakes 64 Newport Wetlands – a stunning habitat by the Severn Estuary 66 Improvements for wildlife and people in south and west Scotland 68 Rare birds on RSPB reserves 72

Working for the environment 76 Greening waste management at Pulborough Brooks 78 The RSPB and the Tay reedbeds 80

Working internationally 82 International management planning 84

Thank you to our supporters 88 2 RSPB RESERVES 2009 3 Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com)

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, through working with adjoining landowners, 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.

In the Fens, we are protecting black-tailed godwit breeding sites at the Nene Washes and creating new habitat for them adjacent to the Ouse Washes 4 RSPB RESERVES 2009 5

Gwyn Williams Introduction Change in an uncertain world

2009 marks the 200th anniversary of Some commentators have suggested of the Flow Country of Caithness the birth of arguably the world’s that nature reserves are an outmoded and Sutherland. greatest biologist – Charles Darwin – static concept in a dynamic world of and the 150th anniversary of the changing climate. We disagree – if Charles Darwin loved nature publicationSpecies of On the Origin of the anything, we need more and bigger and understood it deeply. His , in which he presented his nature reserves to reduce habitat observations of the everyday plants theory of evolution. One building fragmentation, build resilience to and animals around him were as block in developing his ideas around climate change and allow species to influential in shaping his thinking as natural selection was the role of move from stepping stone to stepping was what he saw on the voyage of grazing by domestic cattle at stone in response to changing The Beagle. We hope that by Farnham Heath, Surrey, in sustaining conditions. We also need to create protecting nature we may help to the area as heath and preventing habitats in places where the climate inspire future generations, not only of invasion by Scots pine. Following may become suitable for shifting scientists but also of politicians, conifer afforestation, much of the species. Provision at a landscape scale entrepreneurs and citizens to ensure area would be unrecognisable to will increase the robustness of both that nature has a place in our lives for Darwin now, although part is now an current and future wildlife-rich habitat at least the next 200 years. RSPB reserve, under restoration to – something that we are seeking to heath. Once again, cattle are being deliver through our Futurescapes used to keep the heathland open. programme, both through our direct work and through partnerships. Since Darwin was born, the area of heathland has shrunk by about Also since Darwin was born, the five-sixths. We believe that it is population of the UK has increased important to safeguard the remaining six-fold, and yet fewer people live with areas through designation but also abundant nature on their doorstep. through sympathetic ownership and RSPB nature reserves provide people management that will help protect with opportunities to get close to Gwyn Williams and enhance the many species that nature and fall in love with it. We are Head of Reserves and Protected Areas depend on this habitat. Many delighted that visits to our nature habitats, heath is just one example, reserves continue to grow – are of high wildlife value but little 1.9 million last year, up 200,000 on economic value. The remaining the year before. We will continue to fragments will always be under threat invest in giving visitors rewarding from development pressure and their experiences of nature – whether at best and most secure future must inner-city sites, such as Sandwell Dr Mark Avery surely be to be managed with nature Valley, Birmingham, or remote sites Director of Conservation conservation as their main purpose. such as Forsinard Flows, in the heart

Farnham Heath, where we are restoring a lowland heath mosaic by removing conifer plantation 6 RSPB RESERVES 2009 7 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

Reserves and wildlife a review of 2008

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 Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, 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 2008 and is reported in the following chapter.

Numbers of stone-curlews increased from six to 10 pairs on RSPB reserves between 2007 and 2008. 8 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 9

Populations of priority bird species on RSPB reserves

Species 2005 2006 2007 2008 2012 target Slavonian grebe 2 2 3 4 2 Black-necked grebe 0 1 0 1 5 Bittern (booming males) 18 19 20 26 34 Common scoter 11 14 10 10 11 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Hen harrier (nests) Original targets and numbers 49 51 41 – 55 Revised targets and numbers* 53 – – 43 59 Black grouse (lekking males) 104 151 189 174 170 Capercaillie (lekking males) 48 39 47 41 60 Spotted crake 10 13 14 12 10 Corncrake (calling males) 242 266 294 240 330 Crane 0 0 1–2 2 3 Stone-curlew 7 7 6 10 20 Lapwing (on lowland wet grassland) 1,311 1,366 1,392 1,458 1,650 Snipe (on lowland wet grassland) 542 579 495 565 700 Black-tailed godwit L l limosa 46 50 43 43 46 Whimbrel 10 n/a >8 8 10 Redshank (on lowland wet grassland) 1,070 1,128 1,180 1,196 1,300 Red-necked phalarope (males) 18 12 8 6 18 Little tern 191 127 137 113 191 Nightjar Numbers of lapwings increased on RSPB lowland wet grassland reserves, but suffered a second year of poor Original targets and numbers 90 >85 87 – 90 productivity at the Ouse Washes due to spring flooding Revised targets and numbers** 71 75 68 65 71 Woodlark Original targets and numbers 83 80 83 – 83 Revised targets and numbers** 76 73 76 75 76 Progress towards species targets Dartford warbler Original targets and numbers 164 122 c 145 – 200 We aim to maintain the Species making good major highlight of 2008 was the Revised targets and numbers** 139 108 c 132 c 130 165 populations of 11 key bird progress towards achieving discovery of two bittern nests at Crested tit c 200 n/a n/a n/a c 200 species at or above their 2005 their 2012 targets Ham Wall – the first time bitterns Golden oriole 2 2 3 2 4 levels. Ambitious targets have have nested at one of our Chough 31 34 37 34 40 been set to increase Seven species – bittern, black grouse, recently created reedbeds. It was Scottish crossbill n/a n/a n/a 23 n/a populations of a further 15 key chough, corncrake, crane, lapwing (on also the first year that there were Cirl bunting 0 0 0 0 1 bird species breeding on our lowland wet grassland) and redshank two booming bitterns at the reserves by 2012 (see table). (on lowland wet grassland) – are newly created Lakenheath Fen. Note: Figures are pairs except where stated otherwise. Crested tits are not currently monitored on RSPB reserves. Scottish crossbills were monitored on sample areas of Abernethy and Corrimony for the first time in 2008. currently on track to achieve or * The original target has been revised because of changes in recording areas at one of their key RSPB sites, Forsinard Flows. Figures for 2008 show mixed exceed their 2012 targets. • The total number of lekking male ** The original target has been revised because one of the sites at which they breed, Avon Heath, is no longer an RSPB reserve. progress, with 16 species set black grouse on reserves to achieve or exceed their • Booming bitterns showed a decreased slightly between 2007 2012 targets and eight set to dramatic increase in numbers and 2008, after a dramatic increase a number of females were located observed throughout the wider enhance early cover and provide remain below their targets if both on reserves and nationally in since 2005. Slight declines took on the eastern part of the reserve North Pennines area. late-cut meadows. However, after current populations trends 2008. There was a national total place at Abernethy and Corrimony, for the first time. This area had a long period of sustained continue. Numbers of the of 76 booming males (51 in 2007) after large (and in the case of been grazed by cattle specifically to • The number of singing increase, the total numbers of remaining two priority species and 39 nests. These are the Abernethy, unexpected) increases provide suitable habitat conditions. corncrakes on reserves has singing corncrakes on reserves have not been monitored highest numbers since regular at both sites in 2007. At Geltsdale This is particularly encouraging increased since 2005 as a declined between 2007 and regularly on RSPB reserves. monitoring started in 1990. A two lekking male black grouse and given the very low productivity consequence of measures to 2008. This overall decline of 10 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 11

on the RSPB-managed section of began in 1971. These 29 pairs breeding snipe population of conditions for phalaropes on the Ouse Washes for the fourth raised just 14 young. England and Wales during the last RSPB reserves by creating more year running, as a result of the Breeding Waders of Wet open water, increasing impact of spring flooding. • Trends in total numbers of Meadows Survey in 2002. fluctuation in water levels, and breeding hen harriers on RSPB increasing grazing. • Total numbers of churring nightjars reserves are difficult to assess, • It was a poor year for breeding and singing woodlarks have because recording areas for little terns on RSPB reserves Species not previously Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) remained fairly stable on RSPB raptors at Forsinard Flows reserve overall, although a large increase monitored on RSPB reserves reserves since 2005. At Farnham have been revised so that they in numbers at Minsmere gives Heath, where heathland is being now cover a more representative cause for optimism. Little terns The first national survey of Scottish created, churring nightjars proportion of the reserve. There have suffered a long-term decline crossbills (using tape-luring) took increased from two in 2007 to were, though, small declines at a in the UK, which is largely place in 2008, and included sample three in 2008, while singing number of reserves between explained by low annual areas at Abernethy and Corrimony. woodlarks increased from four in 2007 and 2008. Worryingly, there productivity. At Minsmere 41 pairs The survey estimated a total of 2007 to six in 2008. were no breeding hen harriers at of little terns nested, 38 on the 41 crossbills at Abernethy, of which Geltsdale for the second year beach and three on cockle shell- 18 were Scottish crossbills. A total

Bitterns nested for the first time in reedbed created Species making unsatisfactory running, despite there being an coated islands created for them population of 20 crossbills was at our Ham Wall nature reserve progress towards achieving estimated minimum of seven on the Scrape last winter. The last estimated at Corrimony, with five their 2012 targets different birds recorded in suitable time that little terns nested on the of these being Scottish crossbills. nesting habitat there during the Scrape was in 2005 (one pair Overall, Scots pine was not favoured Eight species are currently not on breeding season. We do not know which failed at the egg stage). by crossbills throughout the national 54 birds was almost entirely due Species making satisfactory track to achieve their 2012 targets. what happened to these birds. census, and crossbills were absent to a decline of 50 singing birds on progress towards achieving These are Slavonian grebe, black- • Numbers of male red-necked from many areas where they are Coll. It is not obvious why this their 2012 targets necked grebe, hen harrier, • Numbers of lekking capercaillie phalaropes have declined at all usually found. There was a good has occurred. capercaillie, snipe (on lowland wet declined slightly. Productivity was three RSPB reserves where they cone crop of Sitka spruce and Nine species are predicted to achieve, grassland), red-necked phalarope, extremely low for the fifth year have bred since 2005. It is lodgepole pine in 2007/8, which • At the Nene Washes, where or closely achieve, their 2012 targets. little tern and Dartford warbler. running, again at least in part due believed that the UK breeding may have attracted crossbills to corncrakes are being re-introduced, These are common scoter, spotted to poor weather. population is strongly influenced these tree species instead. numbers of singing corncrakes crake, stone-curlew, black-tailed • Numbers of breeding Slavonian by a combination of local (including those on non-RSPB land) godwit, whimbrel, nightjar, woodlark, grebes increased from three to • A highlight in 2008 was the weather, and conditions closer to Other wildlife increased from five in 2007 to 14 golden oriole and cirl bunting. four pairs on the RSPB section of dramatic increase in drumming the centre of the species’ range. Information on other wildlife on RSPB in 2008. Numbers on the RSPB Loch Ruthven, but declined from snipe at West Sedgemoor – up We are, though, enhancing reserves is described on pages 46–49. reserve itself increased from three • Stone-curlews increased from 19 to 13 pairs on Loch Ruthven as from 39 in 2007 to 80 in 2008. to nine. two to three pairs at Minsmere. a whole. 2008 was the first year The previous highest ever count These three pairs fledged a total in which no young were raised of drumming snipe at this site Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com) Chris Gomersall • Two pairs of common cranes of six birds, which were virtually there since 1982. The reasons for was 64 in 1977. At the Nene nested at Lakenheath Fen in 2008. all the stone-curlews thought this are unknown. More Washes numbers of drumming They first bred there in 2007. to have fledged on the entire encouragingly, there was a snipe recovered to 173, following Suffolk coast. territorial pair of adults plus a third low numbers (125 drummers) in • Overall, numbers of breeding individual present at Loch of 2007. Snipe also increased at Loch lapwings and redshanks on the • Total numbers of breeding limosa Strathbeg, after major Gruinart from 60 drummers in RSPB’s principal lowland wet race black-tailed godwits on remediation work undertaken at 2007 to 76 in 2008. As with other grassland reserves have increased reserves in 2008 were the same as the loch between 2006 and 2008. wader species, virtually all consistently since 2005. in 2007, but black-tailed godwits at These are the first records of breeding snipe at the Ouse Disappointingly though, virtually all the Nene Washes had a very summering Slavonian grebes at Washes were washed out by breeding lapwings, redshanks and productive breeding season, Loch of Strathbeg. There were spring flooding for the second other waders at the Ouse Washes fledging 34 young from 40 pairs. just 29 pairs of Slavonian grebes year running. The whole of the were washed out by spring flooding This follows two years of low recorded at 12 lochs nationally, Ouse Washes supported 37% of for the second year running. breeding success. No godwits bred the lowest since full recording the lowland wet grassland There are mixed fortunes for Slavonian grebes 12 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 13

Habitat creation

and restoration Lowland heath target: 360 ha Progress towards achieving our created by 2012, and a further 95 restoration targets for priority ha progressing towards a RSPB (rspb-images.com) habitats on land acquired before 2006 restored condition by 2012 is summarised below. Progress since 2005: Reedbed target: 220 ha created 102 ha of plantation on afforested by 2012 heathland felled since 2005, 34 ha seeded with heather, and heathland Gwyn Williams Progress since 2005: regenerating naturally on other Suitable hydrological conditions for felled areas. Heathland vegetation Plantation removal at The Lodge is now complete and heather Reedbed being created at Lakenheath Fen reed expansion created and pools and also establishing on over 26 ha of seedlings are beginning to come through channels constructed over 142 ha. ex-arable land.

Wet grassland target: 1,293 ha Lowland calcareous grassland restored by 2012 target: 290 ha created on ex- arable progressing towards a Progress since 2005: restored condition by 2012 Raised water levels and other capital works (water storage Progress since 2005: reservoirs and construction of pools 63 ha seeded with a calcareous

and channels) completed over an grassland seed mix and being (RSPB) Malcolm Ausden area of 682 ha. managed to facilitate establishment of a flower-rich sward.

Malcolm Ausden (RSPB) Wet grassland created on ex-arable land adjacent to The early stages of calcareous grassland creation at Winterbourne Downs the Ouse Washes

Native pinewood target: 830 ha Active blanket bog target: 327 ha

progressing towards a restored restored by 2012 and 584 ha (RSPB) Malcolm Ausden condition by 2012 progressing towards a restored condition by 2012 Progress since 2005: 105 ha planted with native trees Progress since 2005 and c.48 ha cut or burnt to create 448 ha of trees removed from open ground to encourage tree afforested blanket bog. regeneration. Deer numbers are Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) maintained at low enough levels to allow natural regeneration of trees Intertidal mud and saltmarsh over the full 830 ha. target: 104 ha created by 2012

Progress since 2005: Pine regeneration at Corrimony 102 ha landformed and open to tidal Intertidal habitat developing at Exe Estuary inundation. 14 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 15

Condition of Scrub removal at Mid Yare Broubster Leans: a new wetland reserve in Caithness RSPB-managed TIM STRUDWICK, SITE MANAGER, MID YARE SSSIs and ASSIs At Mid Yare, in the Norfolk Broads, the RSPB has been restoring substantial areas of fen since 1975. This fen Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Almost three-quarters of the land supports an outstanding diversity of wildlife, including scarce plants such as managed by the RSPB is designated milk parsley and marsh pea, and rare invertebrates including swallowtail as SSSI/ASSI (Site/Area of Special butterfly, as well as breeding bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit. In 2004 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Scientific Interest), reflecting the around 100 ha of fen remained in unfavourable condition because of high wildlife value of the RSPB’s excessive scrub, and the RSPB and Natural England agreed a plan to reserve network. remove 27 ha of scrub to address this.

In England, 22,594 ha (86.1%) of the The RSPB employed two specialist contractors with a track record of 26,214 ha of SSSI managed by the clearing scrub without damaging the vegetation and fragile peat surface. RSPB was assessed as being in Work began in September 2007, and completion is expected in 2011, at a favourable condition or unfavourable cost of £400,000, supported by generous grants from Natural England and recovering condition by Natural SITA Trust. England in 2008, compared with 21,355 ha (80.9%) in 2007. Only In addition to removing scrub from the fen, fulfilling our legal 388.5 ha (1.4%) was in unfavourable responsibilities, the RSPB has restored 5,000 m of ditches, providing new condition as a result of factors habitat for bitterns and otters. By reconnecting fragmented habitat, the within, or partly within, the RSPB’s project will enhance over 350 ha of fen, allowing species such as control. This compares with 1,154 ha swallowtail butterflies, bitterns and otters, to expand. A programme of (4%) in 2007. Plans for remedial rotational scrub control will now be extended to the restored fen to ensure action have been agreed with Natural the habitat remains in good condition. England for 387.4 ha.

In Scotland, monitoring of SSSI Twenty-seven hectares of scrub are being removed from Mid Yare to StrudwickTim condition is based on the condition enhance 350 ha of SSSI fen Land acquisition to RSPB landholdings, comprising six grassland, saline lagoon of the individual features assessed new reserves, totalling 668 ha (28% and reedbed). across the whole SSSI. Of the 511 New reserves are selected based on of the total), and 19 extensions at 15 SSSI features assessed within RSPB the contribution they can make to the reserves, totalling 1,737 ha (72% of Our supporters reserves, 386 (76%) were in delivery of our overall objectives. They the total). On 1 April 2008, the RSPB In 2007–8 we received £875,450 in favourable or unfavourable tend to focus on habitats which need managed 140,441 ha at 203 reserves. grants for land acquisition. Grants of recovering condition in 2008. This management to sustain their £754,000 were received from the compares with 76% out of the total conservation interest. Often we are The new reserves were: Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for Valley of 501 features assessed by August taking on new land working in • Lydden Valley, Kent (drained Wetlands and Dee Estuary. The 2007. Forty-eight features at 27 partnership with others. grassland for restoration to wet Environment Agency granted £67,500 reserves are in unfavourable grassland) at Hesketh Out Marsh and £85,000 condition for reasons that could be Increasing the size of habitat areas is • Seasalter Levels, Kent (drained at Lydden Valley, while £9,500 was within RSPB control (9% of the 511 one mechanism of making them grassland for restoration to wet received from Veolia ES Cleanaway features monitored). more robust to external pressures. grassland) Pitsea Marshes Trust to acquire • Broubster Leans, Caithness Vange. There were also some private Information on the condition of RSPB- We look to extend reserves where (mainly wet grassland, swamp and donations, particularly at Saltholme managed units in Wales and Northern opportunities arise for new land that wet heath) and a members’ appeal to purchase Ireland is not available from the could provide habitat which would • Dunnet Head, Caithness (sea cliffs Broubster Leans. We are grateful to statutory conservation organisations. benefit the existing reserve. and coastal grassland) all our supporters, a list of whom is During 2007/8, 2,405 ha were added • Newport Wetlands, Gwent (wet published in the RSPB Annual Review. 16 RSPB RESERVES 2009 17 Andrew Parkinson (rspb-images.com) Andrew Parkinson

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). Our reserves support more than 1% of the UK breeding populations of 63 bird species. Most of the bird species that breed on RSPB reserves in UK important numbers have either increased or remained stable on reserves since 1990.

By 2008, there were 74 pairs of marsh harriers breeding on RSPB reserves, a species that has recovered from there being no breeding pairs in the UK at the beginning of the last century 18 RSPB RESERVES 2009 19

Creating a recovery area up until the mid 1980s there was a food availability and predation are for corncrakes post-breeding flock of almost 30 being undertaken by the RSPB and birds. Numbers declined drastically The Queen’s University of Belfast to Corncrakes were plentiful on Rathlin and by 1991 choughs were no longer try to understand these declines. up to the early 1980s. The introduction present on the island. We have of a single tractor-driven mower to the bought several sections of cliff and Visiting the island island resulted in their dramatic adjacent land next to historical nest David Wootton David Wootton (rspb-images.com) decline. It was a familiar story sites. Where cliff grazing is absent, it The Rathlin Island Seabird Centre is throughout their range. Agricultural will be reinstated, and in 2009 we based in one of the three lighthouses improvements led to silage will introduce Manx Loghtan sheep on Rathlin, known locally as the West production, associated with earlier to graze the cliffs. Elsewhere, the Lighthouse. The West Lighthouse sits cutting, and the introduction of rotary island farmers follow agreed agri- halfway down a 300-foot cliff in the mowers cutting spirally inwards from environment options and RSPB middle of Northern Ireland’s biggest the field edge, catching adults and Management Agreements, that focus seabird colony. The RSPB has been broods in their blades. The demise of on the management of sward to showing visitors the fantastic wildlife this short-lived bird that depends on enhance the fields for foraging spectacle since 1979 by kind high productivity was sudden, and by choughs. The primary aim is to permission of the Commissioners of the late 1980s corncrakes had all but maintain a sward height low enough Irish Lights. The lighthouse was disappeared from Rathlin. for choughs to access invertebrates. automated in 1986, enabling us to develop the new Seabird Centre. The To encourage corncrakes to return to The chough is a species that seems to centre was officially opened in June the island we have created areas of take its time expanding its range, so 2008 and received over 11,000 visits early and late cover for male establishing a sustainable population in the same year. corncrakes, providing them with cover is a long-term goal. However, we have in which to conceal themselves, call started that journey: two choughs Thanks to: from and possibly breed. Plants such arrived on Rathlin in late April 2006 Rathlin Island Community, Northern as nettles, which grow early in the and bred successfully on the island Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), season, have been introduced and (not on the RSPB reserve) in 2007 and Department of Agriculture and Rural Choughs are now back breeding on Rathlin Island encouraged through the application of 2008. The pair that bred in 2007 were Development (DARD), Causeway rotting silage. We have also restored the first choughs to breed on the Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, meadows with an open structure for island for 19 years. Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), Northern the birds to feed and breed in. Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) and the Rathlin Island – a stepping stone for range expansion Researching Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL). In 2008, on the Scottish island of Islay seabird declines Rathlin Island lies between the Mull of Kintyre in Scotland and there were 82 calling males and on the North Antrim coast of Northern Ireland. It is Northern the Inishowen in the Irish Republic Like many seabird colonies in the UK, Ireland’s only inhabited island, with a resident population of just there were 20 calling males. As the the seabird colony on Rathlin is corncrake flies, Rathlin Island is less causing concern. Surveys indicate that under one hundred people and up to 250,000 breeding seabirds. than 20 miles from both places. As numbers decreased between 1999 The lives of the islanders have always been intrinsically linked to these populations continue to grow and 2007, and complete breeding

the breeding seabird population; in the past eggs were harvested and expand their range, we hope that failures have been noted for Andy Hay(rspb-images.com) to supplement diet and during the wartime rationing seabird eggs this habitat restoration will once again guillemots in 2005 and kittiwakes in were sold by islanders in Ballycastle, the nearest mainland town. bring corncrakes back to Rathlin. 2005 and 2006. Three plots of Today a third of all visitors to the island visit the RSPB’s seabird breeding seabirds have been centre, and each visit helps to bolster the island economy. Once Restoring the chough to monitored by the RSPB on Rathlin its former range since 1979. The data suggest that again, seabirds are contributing to a sustainable community. kittiwake numbers and breeding The chough was once the most success are continuing to be a major AUTHOR: GREGORY WOULAHAN, RESERVES MANAGER, NORTHERN IRELAND The Rathlin Island Seabird common crow on Rathlin Island, and problem. Investigations into the role of Centre opened in 2008 20 RSPB RESERVES 2009 21

From the outset, Ham Wall was This was the first successful breeding Thanks to: designed with bitterns in mind, the in Somerset for 40 years, and we hope EC LIFE-Nature, Heritage Lottery Fund, emphasis being on wet reedbed it is the first step towards establishing Leader + and SITA. with plenty of edge, reed-lined pools an inland breeding population in the and ditches. Birds responded to the south-west of England. newly created habitat, with over 400 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) pairs of reed warblers breeding Results of reedbed assessment showing percentage of attributes in within a few years and bearded tits favourable condition for bitterns in 2007.A restoration programme colonising in 2005. Grazing using has now commenced at Radipole. traditional breeds was introduced in 2005, and reedbed management has Fish attributes Habitat attributes been largely mechanised so that the 100 appropriate rotation of cutting can 90 be achieved. 80

Studies of the habitat by our 70 ecologists showed that conditions had 60 been suitable for breeding bitterns for 50 several years, but progress with this 40 species was frustratingly slow. Booming males were present from 30 2002 until 2005, but each year the 20 booming was short-lived and breeding 10 did not take place. In the following 0

years, despite regular sightings of re

wintering birds, no further booming shaw Dingle ltraeth

Titchwell Radipole Marazion was recorded. Staff and volunteers Ham Wall Minsme Mal Lakenheath Dungeness were starting to wonder if successful Strump In 2008, Ham Wall became the first RSPB reedbed created in recent years to hold North Warren Leighton Moss successfully breeding bitterns breeding would ever take place.

In March 2008 these concerns were put to rest when two booming males John Crispin Bitterns return to Somerset were recorded at the site. One of the males boomed weakly for two Since 1994 the RSPB has been creating a wetland on the weeks and then fell silent. The Somerset Levels and Moors on land previously used for other male, however, boomed peat extraction. Within sight of Glastonbury Tor, Ham Wall strongly from the outset and called for 12 weeks. nature reserve has grown rapidly and is now a diverse mix of reedbed, fen, grassland and woodland covering Having a male bird present and over 200 ha. The reserve forms part of the Avalon booming this strongly was great Marshes, which consist of over 1,000 ha of wetland news for the reserve, but several habitat under conservation management. weeks later monitoring revealed that there were two active nests at the AUTHOR: STEVE HUGHES, SITE MANAGER, HAM WALL site, with female birds regularly feeding young. It is believed that both A rare glimpse of a bittern in flight nests fledged young. 22 RSPB RESERVES 2009 23

The seabird colony on the southern Martin and Mick are not just counting seabirds in Shetland and even across

Helen Moncrieff Helen Moncrieff tip of Shetland at Sumburgh Head the numbers of seabirds; they are the whole of the north Atlantic. What was an early choice for monitoring also looking at the timing of egg- some have described as an ecological the health of the wider Shetland laying, hatching and chick-rearing “regime shift” is happening in the environment. Since 1977, SOTEAG periods, as well as estimating how plankton communities that drive the have been monitoring seabirds at this many chicks make it to fledge off the food webs of the oceans. Cold water vast colony. A detailed picture of the cliffs and into the sea. and warm water species of life of its seabirds has emerged, invertebrate zooplankton are showing that factors beyond oil “The intensity of guillemot monitoring swapping predominance in the pollution continue to have a big effect at Sumburgh Head over such a long warming waters of the North Sea, on the numbers and success of period of time reveals not only the causing a shift in their abundance breeding birds here. Intensive day-to-day life of individuals within the through the year. The knock-on effects sandeel fishing in the 1980s and early colony but also the long-term trends,” up the food chain through young 1990s and incidents such as the says Martin. “Studying a broad suite sandeels and hence to birds are now Braer oil spill in 1993 have not of species and their productivity is becoming apparent, particularly in helped, but more recently hugely important. It helps us gain an kittiwakes, and Martin’s long-term fundamental changes in marine insight into what is going on monitoring is a key piece of evidence. ecosystems in the North Sea and throughout the water column, in that beyond have been implicated in a different species exploit different prey Thanks to: steady decline in the fortunes of at different depths.” SOTEAG for supplying their data for seabirds all around Shetland. this article and to Martin Heubeck Sadly, the picture at Sumburgh is and Mick Mellor for their continued In 1994, the RSPB entered agreement indicative of a wider-scale problem for co-operation at Sumburgh Head. with the owners of Sumburgh Head to form the RSPB reserve here. The data collected independently by SOTEAG on the reserve have helped to inform SHETLAND KITTIWAKE BREEDING POPULATION, 1981 - 2007 55000 visitors and also the RSPB’s policy and Martin Heubeck on the way back from Ramna Stacks and Gruney, 50000 SE MAINLAND advocacy campaigns on the latest 45000 NOSS/BRESSAY where he has recorded huge declines in kittiwakes over the last 30 years NE SHETLAND news on the seabird story each year. 40000 UNST 35000 NW MAINLAND SW MAINLAND The data form some of the best long- 30000 FOULA FAIR ISLE term information that the RSPB has on 25000 20000

Thirty years of seabird monitoring at Sumburgh Head NUMBER OF NESTS seabird trends and, coupled with data 15000 from other sites around Shetland, 10000 5000 When oil was found in the waters east of Shetland in the mid 1970s must rank as some of the best long- 0 and Sullom Voe became the hub of an infant oil industry in the UK, term seabird data in the world. 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 concerns about the effects of this new and potentially polluting During the brief Shetland summer, pressure led to the formation of an independent advisor to the Abundance of three species of seabirds at Martin Heubeck and his co-worker industry – the Shetland Oil Terminal Environmental Advisory Group Sumburgh Mick Mellor spend virtually every 200 (SOTEAG). At the time, public awareness of oil as a threat to marine waking hour counting seabirds either 150 and human health had been heightened by shipping disasters like the at sea or from seemingly precarious ra zorbill Torrey Canyon (1967), Amoco Cadiz (1978) and Esso Bernicia (1978). vantage points overlooking the vast 100 guillemot fulma r Pictures of severely oiled seabirds and blackened beaches thronging cliffs. “It's a great view!”, 50

beams Martin. “I've witnessed all Index (1978=100) strengthened moves to protect and monitor Shetland’s hugely rich 0 weather and sea states. Sometimes marine environment. 976 even in the height of summer the 1 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 weather can intervene, with gales Year AUTHORS: DOUG GILBERT, RESERVES ECOLOGIST, AND HELEN MONCRIEFF, making observations impossible.” SOUTH SHETLAND WARDEN 24 RSPB RESERVES 2009 25

Storm petrels nest in crevices and underground burrows

Storm petrels are a cryptic species, island. Only 8% of the birds ringed birds attending the colony at the start coming ashore only at night and on Priest Island are ever caught of the breeding season (not all of nesting in crevices and underground elsewhere, as we are mainly catching which will successfully breed). These burrows. On Priest Island we have established breeding adults that do not two methods produce estimates of been working to refine monitoring wander to other colonies. Birds are the breeding population at different RSPB (rspb-images.com) methods to provide a better picture caught over three nights, and at peak points in the breeding cycle, providing of population trends. times more than three birds per a clearer picture of how this enigmatic minute are processed. Birds are seabird is faring on our nature reserve. Tape-response ringed, or the existing ring number is recorded. The data are analysed using Our dataset of population estimates Tape-response is the standard method the Jolly-Seber method, which indicates there may be a declining for monitoring breeding storm petrels. incorporates the previous year’s data population of storm petrels on Priest It calculates the probability of a when calculating the current year’s Island, contrasting with an increase on response to a tape playback of the population estimate. This means that a Mousa, Shetland. It is important that male storm petrel purr call. All suitable population estimate for a given year is we continue to monitor storm petrels, nesting habitat (which includes boulder not available until the following year’s as they feed on plankton and are a beaches, boulder screes, old stone data are analysed. However, this good species for detecting changes in walls, cracks in peat and under deep method is the most suited to our the marine environment heather) is sampled. Calibration plots dataset. are visited daily during the survey in Thanks to: order to provide a response rate Discussion We are grateful to Scottish Natural against which to correct the sample Heritage for funding. data. This survey is done in the middle The tape-response and mark-recapture of July, when peak occupancy of methods provide us with information burrows is thought to occur. Two full on two different elements of the island surveys have been undertaken population dynamics: tape-response so far, in 1999 and 2004. measures nest-site occupancy during the breeding season, whereas mark- The time when most burrows are recapture measures the number of occupied varies; therefore the rate of occupancy depends on when you survey. The birds respond to tapes only Priest Island storm petrel population estimates, Storm petrel monitoring on during incubation and the first few 1998–2007 Priest Island days of chick-rearing, so the timing of tape-response surveys is key. To 16,000 16,000 overcome this, we are installing 50 Tape-response Mark-recapture The RSPB reserve of Priest Island lies off the coast of Wester Ross, and nest boxes so that we can discover 14,000 14,000

is the outermost of the Summer Isles. In a wild and truly stunning the timing of breeding and use this Adults (mark-recapture) 12,000 12,000 location, the reserve has the third largest colony of breeding storm information to interpret results. We can petrels in Britain, and is designated SSSI and SPA for these birds, also use nest boxes to gain more 10,000 10,000 accurate correction factors, because supporting almost 1% of the world’s breeding population. 8,000 8,000 we know what proportion are

occupied (unlike natural sites). 6,000 6,000 The location presents wardens with many challenges. The rugged island is a one-hour journey on a local prawn fisherman’s boat from one of Mark-recapture 4,000 4,000

the remotest harbours in Scotland; all food, water and equipment have (tape response) occupied sites Apparently 2,000 Bars show 95% confidence limits 2,000 to be brought on to the island and accommodation is under canvas. Mark-recapture surveys are undertaken annually in the middle of June, before 0 0 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 AUTHORS: STEPH ELLIOTT, CHRIS DONALD AND PETE MAYHEW, NORTH SCOTLAND RESERVES, wandering non-breeders arrive at the Year WITH HUGH INSLEY AND MIKE HOUNSOME 26 RSPB RESERVES 2009 27 Steve Austin (rspb-images.com)

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, Flow Country deep peat blanket bog, wet grassland and brackish lagoons, 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.

Landscape-scale restoration of blanket bog is underway at Forsinard Flows 28 RSPB RESERVES 2009 29

Restoration of the site Mike Page 300 Initially, water levels were managed by embanking a series of marshes 250 and pumping water into these embanked areas using diesel pumps. 200 In 1994 this was changed to raising the water levels across the whole 150 site and removing many of the embankments. Water levels were 100 controlled using a series of sluices, Number of pairs windpumps and submersible pumps. 50

More recently we have focussed 0 more on creating shallow water for 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 waders and wildfowl by using footdrains – long, shallow, wet features with gently sloping sides. Total numbers of breeding wet grassland waders These allow water to flow from (lapwing, redshank, snipe and oystercatcher) at surrounding ditches into low areas Berney Marshes within fields, to provide shallow water flashes which form the perfect habitat for wintering waterfowl and breeding waders and their chicks.

We use four local graziers who supply us with about 700 head of cattle and 100 sheep. This allows An aerial view of Berney Marshes with Breydon Water in the distance flexible management throughout the year so that optimum grass height is achieved.

Berney Marshes – a special place Understanding innovative techniques RSPB Berney Marshes nature reserve near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, is one of the RSPB’s hidden gems. Established in 1987, it has now grown to 485 ha, all of which Berney Marshes has played an is under management for wintering waterfowl and breeding waders. The site is important role in the development of agri-environment schemes. It started within the 6,000 ha of Halvergate Marshes, which is one of the largest areas of with the experimental Broadland

continuous grassland left in the UK. (rspb-images.com) Chris Gomersall Grazing Marsh Scheme in the 1980s that provided the model for the The adjacent Breydon Water estuary, 385 ha, is also managed by the RSPB in introduction of the Europe-wide partnership with a local wildfowling group. Berney Marshes and Breydon Water Environmentally Sensitive Areas combined form one of the most important areas in Norfolk for breeding waders Scheme. More recently, the and wintering waterfowl, with populations regularly exceeding 75,000 wintering effectiveness of footdrains in providing suitable habitat for waders birds and 300 pairs of breeding waders. and their chicks has been extensively researched at the site. This has led to AUTHOR: MARK SMART, SITE MANAGER, BERNEY MARSHES Management work has concentrated on improving control many recommendations for breeding of water levels across the marshes 30 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 31

wader management, which are now Lapwings breed in the short open swards at Berney.They feed in the wet (rspb-images.com) Sue Tranter muddy margins of pools and footdrains being used successfully across the 0.07 country. 0.06 The site played a major role in 0.05 the eight-year RSPB experiment investigating the impact of fox and 0.04 crow predation on lapwing nest survival. At Berney Marshes, 0.03 controlling foxes and crows resulted 0.02 in an increase in lapwing breeding

productivity and numbers of nesting Daily nest predation rate 0.01 adults, although similar increases did not occur at all sites in the 0.00 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 experiment. We are now extending Number of lapwing nests within a 100 m radius the research in a Defra-funded project to investigate whether there are ways in which we can manage Variation in daily nest predation rates (± SE) in relation the wet grassland habitat to influence to the number of neighbouring lapwing nests within a nest site selection by waders, 100 m radius (from Eglington 2008). The graph shows encouraging them to nest in bigger that where lapwings nest at high densities (i.e. have groups in field centres. We hope that more neighbours nearby), they suffer lower levels of this will make them less vulnerable nest predation. to fox predation and provide an alternative to fox control.

At Berney – a very special place set in Eglington, S.M., Gill, J.A., Bolton, M., an amazing landscape, with a Smart, M.A., Sutherland, W.J. & stunning winter and spring bird Watkinson, A.R. (2008). Restoration of display – we are determined to wet features for breeding waders on investigate new and innovative ideas lowlandEcology grassland. Journal of Applied to help us understand what is , 45, 305-314. happening to lowland breeding wader populations in the UK and what we can do to help stop the decline. Eglington, S.M., Gill, J.A., Smart, M.A., Thanks to: Sutherland, W.J., Watkinson, A.R. & The habitat improvements and Bolton, M. (2009). Habitat experimental work at Berney have management and patterns of predation been supported by Biffa and Defra. of Northern Lapwings on wet grasslands: The influence of linear Further reading: habitat structures at different spatial Bolton, M., Tyler, G., Smith, K. & scales. Biological Conservation, 142, Bamford, R. (2007). The impact of 314-324. vanellus predator control on lapwing Vanellus breeding success on wet Applied Ecology grassland nature reserves. Journal of , 44, 534-544.

Wind pumps are used to move water around the reserve 32 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 33

Managed realignment – what’s in a name?

“Managed realignment” is the uninspiring name for what is a beautiful and exciting process. Where a sea defence is no longer considered viable or desirable, the option can be taken to abandon the existing, compromised, line of defence and create a new line of defence some distance inland, which is less demanding in maintenance terms and

less vulnerable to tides or weather. Tony Baker This gives space back to an expanding water area, allowing it to generate new 15 km of creeks and 11 saline lagoons have been created and dynamic habitats for a variety of wildlife and helping to provide a more secure sea defence for the future. More than 15 km of creek have been Maintaining drainage and At Hesketh Out Marsh, 350 ha of excavated. Four 100-m-wide flood protection saltmarsh was embanked by a breaches have been made in the old private landowner in 1980. This was flood wall, each connecting a newly A primary agricultural drain, the

Andy (rspb-images.com) Hay the last such reclamation to take excavated creek on the inside of the Hundred End Gutter (HEG), flowed place on the estuary and was the site with a major creek on the into and out of the site, and a major obvious choice when the RSPB outside of the site. Wide breaches new tidal sluice has been constructed

Redshanks are benefiting from the new creeks and pools began to look for opportunities to were chosen to ensure that large to ensure that the water continues to restore some of the intertidal volumes of water were not held on drain effectively. To compensate for habitat that continues to be lost the site for prolonged periods over the loss of water storage area that around our coasts. Approximately high tide series. was formerly available to the HEG 600 ha of saltmarsh were lost in the within the marsh, a series of on- UK between 1992 and 1998 and In addition, 11 saline lagoons, up to stream pools have been dug on Restoring the Ribble saltmarshes current losses are estimated at 1.5 m deep and 1 ha in extent, have neighbouring land owned by Natural 100 ha per year (UK Biodiversity been excavated along the inland side England. This provides a flood storage – managed realignment at Hesketh Out Marsh Action Plan). of the site. These lagoons cannot be function at times when the tidal said to be entirely natural in the sluice is closed by high tides and Re-creating what has saltmarsh context, but they more strong flows are coming down the The RSPB acquired 180 ha of arable land on the southern been lost than justify their inclusion by HEG. These pools will also provide a shore of the Ribble estuary in 2006. Over the last three years providing additional habitat for birds source of fresh water for other the site has been transformed to return it to saltmarsh, after The scheme, designed by the such as avocet and redshank. Saline wildlife, such as water voles. 30 years in arable production. The project involved a consultants Halcrow, involved lagoons are themselves a very rare partnership between the RSPB and the Environment Agency, re-creating the historical pattern of habitat in the UK, supporting The Environment Agency have who have worked together to re-create saltmarsh creeks and creeks shown on old aerial significant populations of mud- upgraded 2 km of flood defence bank, photographs. Some adjustments dwelling invertebrates and providing raising the height by over 1 m, the pools. The excavated material has been used to upgrade the were made to the original pattern to nursery and foraging areas for fish width by 7 m, and moving 300,000 local sea defences, which are now fit to meet the challenges accommodate practical needs such species. The lagoons offer great m3 of material in the process. Having of rising sea levels and increasingly stormy weather. as safe access to the outer marshes birdwatching opportunities from the the material available on-site has for grazing animals and staff. bordering public footpath. saved the taxpayer an estimated AUTHOR: TONY BAKER, RIBBLE SITES MANAGER 34 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 35

We hope large numbers of wigeons will graze at the reserve in winter David Kjaer(rspb-images.com) Sefton MBC Sefton

The land at Hesketh Out Marsh was once intertidal but had been managed as arable land for 30 years until the restoration project began

£2 million and, perhaps more creeks and lagoons. Aerial and fixed- small mammals and the raptors for importantly, has meant that an point photography will provide a which the site is already important. estimated 75,000 lorry journeys visual record of the changes, which Large numbers of wintering have not had to be made along are normally most dramatic in the waterfowl are also expected to use www.commissionair.co.uk narrow country lanes and through first three years after breaching. the site, particularly two of the local villages. Ribble’s specialities: wigeon and An eye on the future pink-footed goose. Monitoring the changes Once the site has a cover of Thanks to: Forty-eight locations on the marsh saltmarsh vegetation, cattle grazing The Project was supported by are being monitored by Edgehill will be introduced to large parts of generous funding from the Lancashire University, 36 of them within the the saltmarsh. Grazing will be at low Rural Recovery Action Plan and Biffa. managed realignment and 12 on the densities (0.4 livestock units per ha) The land purchase was part-funded by adjacent saltmarsh. The rate of to allow the sward to develop and to Lancaster City Council, who covered elevation change is being monitored, provide the tussocky conditions that the cost of 52 ha at Hesketh Out together with the colonisation by favour nesting redshanks. Some Marsh to compensate for damage new saltmarsh vegetation. Fish and areas will remain ungrazed to caused to the Morecambe Bay Special mud-dwelling invertebrate provide floristic diversity and a Protection Area in the course of flood populations are being sampled in the habitat for terrestrial invertebrates, protection works for Morecambe. Hesketh Out Marsh after the creeks were restored but prior to the breaches being made in the outer sea wall 36 RSPB RESERVES 2008 RSPB RESERVES 2009 37

The upland reserve of Lake Vyrnwy range of bird species such as reserve at Lake Vyrnwy, for example, supports some of the best blanket meadow pipit, skylark, red grouse is on land owned by Severn Trent

Jared Wilson Jared bog in Wales. This globally scarce and and black grouse and it is expected Water. Areas that are not degraded threatened habitat has been affected that these birds, amongst others, will maintain a reliable and clean water across the UK and beyond by a wide benefit from the restoration. supply, while poor management can range of human activities, many of Increases in pipits and skylarks are lead to high levels of dissolved them detrimental. Attempts to likely to be beneficial to other organic carbon entering water improve agricultural productivity in the residents of the reserve such as supplies, causing discolouration. UK during the post-war periods merlins and hen harriers. Water companies spend very large included the digging of vast numbers amounts of money removing colour of moorland drains or grips. Whilst this Other projects on the reserve include before supplying water to customers, has done little to improve upland an extensive programme of heather so if habitat restoration helps reduce farming, these drains have resulted in cutting, which also benefits many of colour, it may have the potential to significant degradation to blanket bog our moorland birds (see article in reduce water bills. habitats. When the water table is RSPB Reserves 2007). Additionally, a lowered, conditions essential for project to reverse the decline of Similarly, peatlands in the UK store blanket bog plants such as sphagnum curlews on the site has been running vast quantities of carbon that has mosses are lost. Over time, the drains for the last two years and, with the been absorbed from the atmosphere may erode out, causing vast areas of valuable help of two tenant farmers, over thousands of years by bog plants peat to be washed off the hill and seems to be paying dividends. The and deposited as peat. Degraded resulting not only in the loss of programme of cutting and baling bogs no longer deposit carbon. farmland but also in poor water quality moorland grass, digging pools and Indeed, the enormous store of carbon downstream and an increased loss of undertaking various soil management in the peat becomes vulnerable to carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. techniques in curlew feeding areas oxidation, which can release huge has increased the population within amounts of carbon dioxide to the At Lake Vyrnwy, over 100 km of this small area from two pairs in atmosphere, making a significant moorland drains are being blocked 2006 to five pairs in 2008. contribution to climate change. using peat and heather bale dams, More than 100 km of moorland drains are being blocked to raise the water table in the blanket bog reinstating the water table to original A range of other benefits may result Given the potential wider societal levels. The non-native Sitka spruce from the LIFE project’s large-scale benefits of these ‘ecosystem trees and rhododendrons that have drain-blocking work. The majority of services’, it might be in all of our been advancing rapidly across the the water consumed in the UK has interests to ensure bog habitats are Restoring blanket bog at Lake Vyrnwy open moorland are also being its source in the uplands. The RSPB healthy. However, there remains too tackled: over 6,000 plants were removed from 1,800 ha of moorland Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com) Chris Gomersall At Lake Vyrnwy, an ambitious five-year blanket bog during the winter of 2008/9. Black grouse benefit from the extensive programme of heather cutting at Lake Vyrnwy restoration project is underway. With the help of EC LIFE-Nature funding, this partnership between the RSPB, The principal objective of the LIFE Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, project is to restore the blanket bog, Forestry Commission Wales and Welsh Assembly but clearly the project has the potential to benefit a range of bird Government is tackling the main threats facing blanket species. The proliferation of wet bog at Lake Vyrnwy and also more widely in the Berwyn habitats created by the drain blocking Mountains and Migneint SAC.The project is now providing and the diversification of the a unique opportunity for a replicated multi-scale vegetation and its structure should experiment to test the effects of management intervention increase food supplies for on ecosystem services provision. invertebrate-feeding species. The Lake Vyrnwy reserve supports a AUTHORS: MIKE WALKER, SENIOR SITE MANAGER – BERWYN TEAM AND JARED WILSON, LIFE PROJECT MANAGER 38 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 39 Mark Hamblin(rspb-images.com)

much scientific uncertainty for us yet involving both restored and Lake Vyrnwy. Guided walks take to be sure about the magnitude of unrestored areas, has provided a place throughout the year, local the positive effects of our world-class research platform to school groups visit the site and management. This uncertainty is investigate the impacts of restoration farmers and landowners are invited being reduced through a major on these ecosystem services in a along to discuss the work being programme of research with novel landscape-scale experiment. carried out. For more information on academics in the UK Population the project and the guided walks Biology Network (UKPopNet) and a The LIFE project is carrying out a programme, visit the project website range of other stakeholders. The wide range of educational and at www.blanketbogwales.org phased restoration at Lake Vyrnwy, advocacy work, much of it based at

Extensive areas of blanket bog are being restored at Lake Vyrnwy by blocking moorland drains and removing non-native trees and shrubs

David Wootton David Wootton (rspb-images.com) Lake Vyrnwy provides a secure site for nesting hen harriers 40 RSPB RESERVES 2008 RSPB RESERVES 2009 41 blickwinkel/Hartl Damon Bridge

Greylake has been transformed from arable land to a vibrant wetland The great silver water beetle, one of the many rare ditch invertebrates found at Greylake

Improvements for waders Restoring the site summer above average field height alongside local contractors. New and, coupled with the existing ditches were created 60 m apart and ditch invertebrates at Greylake Over the last six years we have been drainage connections to Bridgwater and 60 cm deep. These shallow undertaking a process of restoration Bay, allows water levels to be ditches complement the existing When the RSPB purchased Greylake nature reserve in the to create a mixture of wet grassland, managed by gravity alone, so there is system of deep ditches. In addition summer of 2003 the area consisted of 100 ha of arable swamp and fen habitats. no need to pump water anywhere on a network of over 100 close-spaced land crossed by deep drainage ditches. The reserve is a Management for breeding waders the reserve. The reserve functions shallow gutters has been created small part of an area of low-lying land known as King’s has been the priority, with the added just like a bath – but with the taps at across the reserve. Some are Sedgemoor, one of the many peat moors that make up part intention of improving the general one end and a plug at the other. isolated and are largely at the mercy biodiversity of the site and improving of the weather. Some are joined to of the vast 64,000 ha of floodplain that form the Somerset the quality of the ditch flora and All 20 large fields had very few the existing ditches where it is Levels and Moors. fauna in particular. surface features and no internal possible to retain a good level of ditches – so 47 new ditches were control whatever the climatic AUTHOR: DAMON BRIDGE, WARDEN, WEST SEDGEMOOR AND GREYLAKE Structures have been installed to hold planned and created between 2004 conditions. The closest spacing is water levels around 80 cm higher and 2008 to re-wet the fields. The around 11 m where they almost than before RSPB management work was carried out using the form a ridge and furrow system. began. A high-level water feed runs all RSPB’s rotary ditcher working 42 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 43

was present along with a further which should lead to further water funding from Water Adaptation is three notable species. quality improvements as nitrate and Valuable for Everybody (WAVE), Interestingly, the newer channels phosphate levels are reduced before on a method of linking the reserve to were just as rich in invertebrates as the water supply enters the ditch the surrounding flood plain to increase Damon Bridge the older ditches, and had a similarly network. the occurrence of winter flooding and high species quality index. reduce hydrological isolation. Surprisingly, the scrape and pond Further scrape and pool works are areas were some of the poorer water also planned, as even though bodies in all respects. invertebrate colonization is slow, they Thanks to: play a key role in providing feeding Heritage Lottery Fund, Natural Future planned areas for lapwing and redshank chicks. England, WAVE (European Regional improvements Development Funding through Work is also in progress, in Interreg IVB) and Wyvern Waste. A small 4-ha “filter treatment” collaboration with the drainage board reedbed is now under construction, and the Environment Agency and with Richard Revels (rspb-images.com)

Twenty-six kilometres of new gutters and ditches have been created at Greylake

The new internal ditches and gutters Increases in ditch In 2008, an aquatic invertebrate ditch are managed on a three to five-year invertebrates survey carried out by Dr Martin Drake slubbing rotation. Gutter and ditch- found an incredible 137 aquatic edge vegetation is cut much more Prior to any changes in hydrological species and an additional 47 ‘wetland frequently to ensure that there is management, an initial aquatic insects’ in the reserve’s network of always a good, shallow, sparsely invertebrate survey was carried out, ditches. Sixty of the truly aquatic vegetated edge for wader chicks to concentrating mainly on molluscs – species were water beetles (this feed along. by the late Pat Hill-Cottingham. This exceeds the suggested threshold for revealed the presence of the rare candidate SSSI notification), 20 were In total, 26,000 m of gutters and snail Valvata macrostoma in the molluscs and 14 were bugs. Of ditches have been created – a boundary ditches (not in RSPB these, amongst the Coleoptera the remarkable 52 km of new ditch edge management);ornata and Odontomyia twotransversalis rare species Hydaticus for creatures that depend on that transversalis(a soldier fly), Hydaticus and Hydrophilus piceus habitat. Around 25 pools and scrapes (a water beetle) and remained and a further 21 notable of various sizes, depths and designs Hydrophilius piceus (Great Silver species were recorded. Amongst the have also been created since 2004. water beetle) within the reserve. Diptera the rare Odontomyia ornata

The hairy dragonfly is one of the many dragonfly and damselfly species found at Greylake 44 RSPB RESERVES 2009 45 Jodie Randall (rspb-images.com) Randall Jodie Beyond birds improving conditions for wildlife

From 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 Britain.

We need to take extra care over these species, especially those that might be damaged by regular habitat management. Many of these rare species are hard to find and identify, and little is known about their needs, so we have been funding research and surveys to find out more about them. The results have shown that RSPB reserves are important for many species, and they have revealed some of the extraordinary diversity of life to be found on our sites: mysterious fungi that seem to ooze blood, beetles that make explosions, and flies with rainbow- coloured eyes.

The soldier beetle: just one of the many insects found on RSPB reserves 46 RSPB RESERVES 2009 47 Andy Hay(rspb-images.com)

So far, we have records of over 13,300 species. This suggests that at least one quarter of all the British land and freshwater species of plants, animals and fungi are found on RSPB reserves. More than half of David Tipling (rspb-images.com) the species found on RSPB reserves are insects, almost a quarter are fungi, and about 12% are plants. The birds, with 380 species, represent less than 3%!

All the resident native British dragonflies, amphibians and reptiles Heath tiger beetles are found at Arne are found on RSPB reserves, as are 74% of the vascular plants, 93% of There are 25 reserves where more conditions are suitable for them all? the land mammals and 78% of the than 1,000 species have been Working out what needs to be done spiders. The total of 31% of the recorded. These include places that for each of the 5,000 species on a British insects includes 57% of the we would expect to have a high site is not practical. However, if we beetles, 31% of the flies and 64% of diversity, like Leighton Moss, Arne and apply general principles of good the butterflies and moths. This is a lot Ynys-hir. But even modest sites can habitat management, such as making of diversity in a small area: RSPB have high species totals if they have sure there is a good supply of dead reserves cover about 0.6% of the been well recorded, so as more data wood in woodlands, and providing area of Britain. are captured and new discoveries are bare sandy areas on heaths, we can made we expect species lists to grow create the right conditions for many The number of species recorded at at the sites that have fewer records. species. Those species that have each site depends on three things: more specialised requirements are RSPB reserves are important for their populations of harvest mice how many species there are, how A large species list tells us about the the ones we need to take extra care many of these have been discovered diversity of a site, but it also presents over. And because they have special and how many of the discoveries us with a problem. When you have so requirements, needing conditions have been reported. The reserves many species on your nature that are uncommon, they tend to be Conserving our rarest plants and animals with the most species recorded are reserves, how do you make sure that rare or threatened. Minsmere (5,348) and Abernethy How many species are there on RSPB nature reserves? (4,095). Both these sites have a The hoverfly Syrphus ribesii, Over the last few years we have commissioned surveys of range of different habitats, and they one of over 5,000 species found Will George plants, fungi and animals on our reserves to help inform are rich in wildlife. They have also at Minsmere habitat management. We have been collating the results been well covered by surveys and into a database, which now has more than two million volunteer naturalists, and they are particularly lucky to have been visited records. There is still some way to go, and new species are by mycologists, who have discovered being discovered every year, but by concentrating on the over 1,000 species of fungi at each rare and threatened species we have been able to identify site. Minsmere has over 1,000 moths our most important sites, and the wildlife that the RSPB and butterflies (more than 40% of the has a special responsibility for. British total). Abernethy has almost a quarter of Britain's beetle species. AUTHOR: MARK GURNEY, RESERVES ECOLOGIST The next richest site overall is Dungeness, with 2,761 species. 48 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 49

Green shield-moss was Stewart Taylor The number of species recorded on RSPB nature reserves There are over 2,100 rare or scarce Numbers of species recorded on RSPB reserves thought to be almost extinct in species on RSPB reserves. If we add Britain, until a flourishing The end columns show the estimated number of species found in Britain and the percentage of each population was found at in all the declining, threatened and group that has been found on RSPB reserves. Introduced species are not included. Abernethy near threatened species (as defined Insects by the official Red Lists and the UK Species on British % of British Biodiversity Action Plan), this number RSPB reserves species species on Fungi and lichens increases to over 2,700 or almost RSPB reserves one third of all these species in Vascular plants Britain. To identify which of these the Fungi and lichens 3128 15000 21 RSPB has a special responsibility for, Bryophytes Mosses 350 763 46 Spiders we used the best sources of Liverworts 170 298 57

Mosses and liverworts information available to select those Charophytes Stoneworts 14 34 41 species that have 20% or more of Vascular plants 1137 1527 74 Vertebrates their British populations on RSPB Molluscs 133 400 33 nature reserves. This gave us a list of Worms and leeches 10 730 1 Other invertebrates 304 key species that we need to take Arachnids Spiders 505 650 78 special care of on our reserves. False scorpions 10 28 36 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 Crustaceans 34 1250 3 Each of these key species has been Millipedes Millipedes 22 60 37 scored according to its habitat Centipedes Centipedes 22 55 40 requirements. Of the 304 species, Insects Beetles 2277 4000 57 187 seem not to have any special Bugs 484 1700 28 need other than our usual habitat Lacewings 31 76 41 Key species on RSPB management at the site. There are Dragonflies 45 56 80 nature reserves 45 species, most of them insects, Stoneflies 14 33 42 These are the numbers of species in each group spiders or lichens, where we do not Moths and butterflies 1608 2500 64 that are estimated to have 20% or more of their know enough about them to say Grasshoppers and crickets 23 30 77 British populations on RSPB nature reserves.

Mark Gurney (RSPB) what they need, but we have no Cockroaches 3 3 100 reason to suspect that current Earwigs 4 4 100 Group No. of key conditions are unsuitable. This leaves Bees, ants, and wasps 515 7100 7 species 72 species that require special Mayflies 21 50 42 Beetles 73 habitat management. Some of these Alderflies 2 3 67 True flies 55 have similar requirements: there are Caddis flies 78 198 39 Spiders 49 13 species that need bare mud left Flies 2192 7000 31 Moths and Butterflies 35 by fluctuating water levels, 11 Other insects 21 1200 2 Lichens 21 species that need sympathetic ditch- Other invertebrates 19 Mosses and liverworts 17 cleaning cycles, and another 11 that Vertebrates Lampreys and hagfish 3 3 100 Vascular plants 14 need open, disturbed ground. We Bony fish 47 110 43 Fungi 12 have already been creating habitat for Sharks and rays 1 20 5 Bees, ants, and wasps 10 some of these species, but now we Amphibians 6 6 100 Caddis Flies 4 have identified the others that are in Reptiles (terrestrial) 6 6 100 Snails and slugs 3 particular need of conservation we Birds 380 580 66 Stoneworts 2 can make sure that RSPB reserves Mammals (terrestrial) 41 44 93 Lacewings 2 continue to provide for the wildlife Mammals (marine) 15 27 56 True bugs 2 that most depends on them. Sponges 1 Sea anemones 1 Thanks to: Crustaceans 1 We would like to thank all the keen naturalists who have helped to gather this Dragonflies 1 RSPB reserves are nationally important for spotted rock-rose huge set of species data across the RSPB network. Mammals 1 50 RSPB RESERVES 2009 51 twr alr (RSPB) Stewart Taylor Until 2008, 17 species of tooth fungi were known to occur in Britain, 12 of which had been found at Abernethy. Recognising a tooth fungus is not too

Stewart Taylor Taylor Stewart (RSPB) difficult, but naming some of the species found at Abernethy is fraught with problems; one of the most regularly encountered species, currentlyscrobiculatum, named Hydnellum cf. may not be that species at all!

In 2006 the first reserve-wide survey of tooth fungi was carried out by Mark Gurney, an RSPB ecologist. Tracks are a much-favoured habitat for this group and Mark walked about half of the 80 km of tracks in the forest during his survey. He found 181 sites, and 11 species of tooth fungi. The survey was repeated in 2007 and 2008 by Stewart Taylor, who expanded the search to cover all the tracks through the forest and visited many of the old track-side quarries, another favoured habitat. The table below gives details of what Ideal habitat for tooth fungi – slightly disturbed ground under Scots pine trees was found. Hydnellum cf. scrobiculatum – a tooth fungus found at 55 locations at Abernethy in 2008

Details of the species recorded during the three years of survey work

Species 2006 2007 2008 Tooth fungus recording at Abernethy No. of % of No. of % of No. of % of sites sites sites sites sites sites Stalked tooth fungi are a rare group of fungi distinguished Bankera fuligineoalba 17 14 25 14 122 25 by the teeth or spines on the underside of their caps. Hydnellum aurantiacum 45 35 133 These take the place of the gills on more familiar Hydnellum caeruleum 95 55 275 mushrooms but they serve exactly the same function. Hydnellum ferrugineum 11 11 5 1 Tooth fungi are regarded as nitrogen-sensitive and in Hydnellum peckii 20 31 31 31 150 31 Hydnellum cf. scrobiculatum 14 20 11 20 55 11 decline across Europe as a result of air pollution and Phellodon melaleucus 87 77 367 habitat loss. Phellodon niger 69 49 194 Phellodon tomentosus 15 11 8 11 40 8 AUTHOR: STEWART TAYLOR, TECHNICAL ASSISTANT, ABERNETHY NATIONAL NATURE Sarcodon glaucopus 90 50 255 RESERVE Sarcodon squamosus 33 5 14 5 68 14

Total sites* 181 454 560 Minimum No of fruit bodies counted 2,767 3,797 * More than one species of fungus can occur at each site. 52 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 53 twr alr (RSPB) Stewart Taylor

standard for all the UK species of tooth fungi. Traditional techniques using field and microscopic characters are being combined with modern DNA

Stewart Taylor Taylor Stewart (RSPB) sequencing to improve identification and taxonomy of the group.

Abernethy’s semi-natural Scots pine woodland makes it an ideal site for tooth fungi, and this is reflected in the size and variety of the reserve’s population. In the surveys, most tooth fungi have been found on the lightly vegetated verges of tracks, in old track-side gravel pits and in naturally disturbed ground along riversides. Tracks and quarries break through the natural forest floor cover, possibly exposing the mycelia, which in turn may induce fruiting, which may or may not be beneficial for the fungi themselves – we don’t yet know for certain. Fruiting is necessary for sexual reproduction and spore Phellodon tomentosus Hydnellum ferrugineum – this is one of the commonest production, which are needed to species of tooth fungus in Great Britain disperse the fungi, so although fruiting might not be a sign of a healthy population, it is necessary if (RSPB) Stewart Taylor This survey is starting to show the Species new to Britain the fungus is to colonise new areas variation in fruiting of the different within the forest or beyond. species, which is probably due to wet During the 2007 survey a tooth fungus and dry summers. We are not aware was found that didn’t readily conform Management at Abernethy is of any similar studies that have to any of the known reserve or currently directed towards expanding covered such a large area and in such Scottish species, and a sample was the forest out towards the natural detail. Throughout the whole period collected and sent to a team of tree line, increasing the forest area of fungus recording at Abernethy, experts at Cardiff University. In March by several thousand hectares. The aurantiacum Hydnellum ferrugineum, Hydnellum 2009 the fungus was identified as trees are wholly dependent on the caeruleum and Hydnellum Hydnellum cumulatum, a species new symbiotic relationship they have with have generally been the to Britain. A couple of tooth fungi the tooth fungi and other woodland rarest species and Hydnellum peckii collected at Abernethy in 2001 by mushrooms to survive, so both the commonest. The increase in the visiting expert Gordon Dickson and should expand together. The future number of Bankera fuligineoalba sites posing identification problems, had for the forest and the tooth fungus in 2008 seems exceptional, and it also been sent to the Cardiff team. population looks very positive. was interesting to note the recovery Onecumulatum turned out to be Hydnellum glaucopus in the number of sites for Sarcodon , whilst the second was Thanks to: and Sarcodon squamosus identified as Hydnellum gracilipes, a Our biodiversity monitoring at after their decline in 2007. This species also new to Britain. The Abernethy has been part-funded by decline was associated with a Cardiff team have been working the Scottish Forest Alliance and the particularly wet summer. towards providing an identification Cairngorms National Park Authority.

Sarcodon squamosus 54 RSPB RESERVES 2009 55 © Pat Bennett / Alamy

New Zealand pygmyweed current range. When the 164-ha reserve was acquired in 2002, there Several very invasive water plants were 20 ha of dense or moderately have arrived in Britain from dense infestation, and scattered elsewhere in the world and are taking plants across another 100 ha. Malcolm Ausden (RSPB) over our ponds, ditches and waterways and shading out native Physical and chemical control Floating pennywort quickly flora and fauna. One of the most techniques have been used and smothers water courses widespread, the New Zealand mature trees have been ring barked. pygmyweed, Crassula helmsii, is Volunteers have dug out saplings and particularly difficult to eradicate. We seedlings with mattocks. Nearly two carpet! We then tried to eradicate it have been pioneering a new method hectares of dense coppice re-growth with a chemical spray, but it is still a of controlling this plant at Old Hall was cut and then sprayed with stubborn plant to destroy. The use of Marshes on the Essex Coast. glyphosate. On areas restored to a tractor-mounted boom sprayer on Crassula was first discovered at Old heath, grazing has been used, as substantial areas created large bare Hall Marshes in 2000. Isolated plants cattle eat the seedlings. patches, on which a sea of common at the edges of shallow water bodies storks-bill appeared (nice), quickly were removed and composted in Rum cherry has now been followed by a yellow haze of ragwort plastic sacks. In 2001 the plant was effectively controlled at Farnham – oops! After several years of trial re-discovered forming a continuous Heath after seven years of effort, management we have found that the mat over extensive areas of summer and there are now no areas of most effective way to control its draw-down grassland. Chemical spot- infestation, although scattered spread has been to collect the seed treatment over five years merely seedlings are still found. Continued heads by hand. With considerable contained its spread. Experiments surveillance is vital. Boundaries and areas still to treat, it could be another showed that a high level of salinity in former “hot spots” are checked 5–10 years before we have eliminated the water was effective in killing the annually, and seedlings removed. this plant from the reserve. plant. A field-scale trial over 7–8 ha was set up, in which the marsh water Pirri-pirri bur These three species are only the tip A green carpet of Crassula helmsii covering the mud at Ouse Fen was drained off and replaced with of the iceberg. There are many other seawater from the adjacent estuary Even some of our best-known species that already pose a severe for 10 months. The seawater was reserves can have problems with threat to some of our reserves, such evacuated and replaced with fresh invasive species. A small plant, first as floating pennywort and parrot’s Controlling invasive non-native plants water, and subsequently no living identified at Minsmere in the late feather in watercourses, shallon on Crassula plant tissue has been 1990s,zelandiae Pirri-pirri bur Acaena novae- heathlands and American skunk The RSPB has had a policy for several years for the control of invasive identified. We are now extending the has become something of a cabbage in wet woodlands, and non-native plant species on reserves. The most invasive and damaging treatment to some 120 ha, after control nightmare. It grows mostly on others pose a potential threat. The species are given priority for elimination and other invasive species of careful monitoring, and in close the light sandy soils around the visitor South American water primrose, for less concern are monitored by staff and controlled where necessary. liaison with Natural England. centre and the car park and on an example, is already in the wild in the However, the situation can change. Many reserves have been adjacent former arable field that has UK (where attempts are being made Rum cherry been left uncultivated. Like other bur- to eliminate it), but fortunately it has gradually eliminating Rhododendron ponticum, the commonest bearing plants, it easily attaches itself not reached any of our reserves; and rhododendron species naturalised in the UK, over many years. The Invasive trees can be a problem, and to shoe laces, socks, dogs, etc. At there are other subtropical species discovery that this is the main host of Phytophthora, fungus-like one, rum cherry Prunus serotina, has first we used a smothering technique that are a huge problem elsewhere organisms that can cause catastrophic tree death over large areas, become a major problem in native with sheets of black plastic, but on a in the world and could colonise here has given an added urgency to rhododendron elimination. woods on the mainland of Europe. windy site this was impractical. as climate change makes conditions This highly invasive North American Carpet dragging as a means of seed more suitable. To borrow a phrase AUTHORS: JOHN DAY, RESERVES ECOLOGIST understorey species currently has a collection was not very effective from Thomas Jefferson, the price of limited UK distribution but is either, as the seed heads have a freedom (from hugely damaging spreading rapidly. Our reserve at tendency to disintegrate into separate invasive alien plants) is eternal Farnham Heath is in the centre of its seeds, and you need a lot of old vigilance. 56 RSPB RESERVES 2009 57

Reserves and people Carol Frost (rspb-images.com)Carol Frost a review of 2008

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!

In the next five years, we will be increasing our efforts to bring people to our reserves and inspire them about wildlife and our work. We will increase the promotion of our nature reserves. Altering the way that we design and manage our habitats will provide better views of wildlife for visitors. By harnessing the skills of our staff and volunteers, we will share our enthusiasm and knowledge to interpret wildlife to visitors; and we will continue to increase the number of nature reserves we manage and offering yet more opportunities for people to visit.

One of our aims is that on leaving an RSPB reserve, visitors will feel they have had a special and enjoyable time; 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.

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.

We aim to inspire people about nature Our progress towards these objectives during 2008 is reported in the following chapter. 58 RSPB RESERVES 2009 59

After a successful year, it would be of visitors, with a variety of interests as varied as cutting down scrub, easy to be complacent. The RSPB is and needs. Most were adult couples serving tea and leading guided walks. bucking a national trend that has aged 45 and over, and one in five seen a steady fall in the number of parties contained children. Our love of nature is formed at an early people visiting nature reserves or age – “show me the boy at seven participating in wildlife-based We asked a sample of our visitors years old and I will show you the man”. Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) activities. With growing demands on what they thought of their reserve We believe that every schoolchild individuals’ time, and the expansion visit. Nearly all said that we provided should have access to a firsthand of urban living, society is becoming an experience that exceeded their experience of nature. Last year over increasingly disconnected from expectations. As you might expect, we 60,000 schoolchildren took part in one nature. This trend, if left unchecked, catered well for birdwatchers and of 43 field teaching schemes – an would have a long-term impact on those with a broader interest in nature, experience that will live in their understanding of the natural world who appreciate the support and memories for a lifetime. and support for conservation. Our guidance they receive from our reserve network is spread across the knowledgeable staff and volunteers. We have acquired a number of sites of UK and can play an active and By buying items in our shops, making high conservation value that are within positive role in reversing the trend. donations, or joining as members, reach of large numbers of people, visitors contributed nearly £2 million to including Rainham, on the Greater The year 2007/08 was a record year, our conservation work. London/Essex border and Old Moor, in with 1.9 million visits to our nature South Yorkshire. In 2008/09 the RSPB reserves: an increase of 200,000 on Volunteers support our work through opened two new reserves with full the previous year. Seven out of 10 the gift of time. The RSPB has 14,200 visitor facilities, at Newport Wetlands, visits took place at the 30 sites with volunteers, who collectively contribute South Wales and at Saltholme, near full facilities. We attracted a wide range over 9,000 weeks, carrying out roles Middlesbrough. Ben Hall(rspb-images.com) Many of our reserves offer guided walks, where local experts share knowledge and enthusiasm about wildlife.

Welcoming visitors

We had something for everybody, from the naturalist wanting to see a water vole to the A level students studying the remains of an Iron Age hill fort. We helped the family eager to learn about the bugs under the woodpile and fulfilled one man’s ambition to see a golden eagle. For many people we simply provided beautiful places where they could fill their lungs with fresh air, but for every visitor we guaranteed the opportunity to be inspired by and connect with nature.

AUTHOR: PAUL FORECAST, HEAD OF PEOPLE ENGAGEMENT

On leaving an RSPB reserve, we hope our visitors will feel they have had a special time. 60 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 61

We are constantly seeking innovative Use of technology National events ways to attract new visitors and to offer something fresh to our existing While the experience of having a live By tying in with national events, run by visitors. Here are some examples of encounter with wildlife will always be a the RSPB or others, many reserves Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) the themes that have emerged over favourite with our visitors, the use of have been able to increase the number the last year. technology can provide views of of visitors. Many reserves run events wildlife that is difficult to see at first- to promote the RSPB’s Big Garden Not just birds hand and allow people to follow the Birdwatch and Feed the Birds Day. progress of wildlife, as well as helping Our nature reserves have so much to to promote a site. Loch Gruinart, Mersehead, offer in addition to birds. Minsmere Lochwinnoch and Vane Farm gave a and Pulborough Brooks ran events • A live CCTV link from Troup Head free cup of tea to visitors on St showing people the rutting deer, RSPB reserve to Macduff Marine Andrew’s Day as part of a drive by the while the Autumn Fair at the North Aquarium beams close-up pictures Scottish government to promote Kent Marshes reserve featured of gannets breeding at the UK’s Scottish visitor attractions. The visitor countryside food and crafts. largest mainland colony. centres were decorated with Saltire flags and bunting and staff members Absolute beginners • The social network site, got into the spirit of things by wearing Facebook, is being used to items of capercaillie tartan clothing. We all enjoy learning something new, promote RSPB nature reserves, especially if it is fun! Belfast Harbour including Middleton Lakes, Lake Vyrnwy and Leighton Moss ran reserve ran a beginner’s course on bird Rainham and Conwy. singles’ walks on Valentine’s Day. At identification, and Rye Meads ran Leighton Moss only women attended sessions teaching people how to • Two osprey chicks that fledged at the walk; they all enjoyed the walk, but improve their gardens for wildlife. Loch Garten were fitted with solar- didn’t find love! powered satellite tags, allowing people to track their migration on the web. Carolyn Merrett (rspb-images.com)

We offer a wide-ranging events programme with something for everyone to get stuck into!

Bringing nature closer to people

Over 70,000 people took part in our events programme last year. Some events remain perennial favourites, including tours to hear nightingales singing or to see roosts of large flocks of waders and geese, bat walks, pond dipping and family fun days. The events programme varies with the seasons: here children are learning about ‘weeds and seeds’. 62 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 63

Thornhill Primary School visits RSPB Old Moor

AUTHOR: STEVE DONNELLY, THORNHILL PRIMARY SCHOOL, YEAR 4 TEACHER

As we pulled up in the car park, the Moor supplied the binoculars and other “It was great spotting tracks centre staff, John and Kevin, were equipment essential for the children to and guessing what type of waiting for us.The warm greeting get the most out of the experience. animal it was.”Amerer we received was a complete

Wales News Service (rspb-images.com) News Service Wales contrast to the weather! The In the afternoon the children country had experienced the worst embarked on an activity that could “Thinking about what the winter snow for 20 years, but that have been difficult to carry out in animal was doing was good.” didn’t seem to matter to the Old what felt like near-Arctic conditions – Henn Moor Field Teachers. Leading us to pond dipping! Once we had broken the centre’s Education Centre, the the five centimetres of ice covering staff organised the children with the small, raised pond, the children “It was brilliant to see very little fuss and divided them were given a lesson on how to pond different birds.”Hana into groups.The day began with an dip effectively and then were allowed introduction to the area and a quick to get on. They became increasingly session on what habitats are and enthusiastic as they dipped their nets “We found out that some birds how animals are adapted to fit and brought more and more bug life have thicker feathers so that into them. out of the freezing waters. they could stay in the cold water for longer, and four big The first activity involved looking at All in all, the day was excellent. Cold? white birds – swans – flew and comparing the wetland, Yes. Wet? Yes. Fun? Most definitely! really close by.”Adreece grassland and woodland on the The heavy snow, which had reserve. The children enjoyed using transformed the ponds and the simple scientific equipment to work surrounding habitats into a landscape “It was amazing to see so out air and ground temperatures, as resembling something from the many creatures under the ice. well as comparing light levels. The Arctic circle, did nothing to hamper I didn’t know about most of The RSPB’s field teaching snow enhanced this experience; as the children’s learning or fun. The those…”Jade the children could look at the various RSPB staff made the day interesting tracks, work out the different types for the children and also educated The purpose of our field teaching is to provide a gateway through of animal that had left them behind, me. Would I go back again? Yes, and “I learnt that not all the which children, young people and school staff can enjoy and what each animal could have with the snow too! animals are poisonous.”Maysa been doing. There were tracks of memorable, first-hand experiences of the natural world. We aim to pheasant, moorhen, rabbit, fox and develop an understanding of natural heritage, and a practical and possibly even a mink – which might Steve Donnelly emotional commitment towards birds, wildlife and the natural have been stalking the water voles environment. (a protected species)!

We currently have 43 Living Classroom Schemes. Thirty-three of Before lunch the children had the these are on our reserves, with the other ten on partnership sites. opportunity to do some birdwatching. They started by looking at the birds During 2008/09 over 60,000 children learnt about wildlife through that inhabit the gardens, such as our field teaching scheme. bullfinches, tree sparrows and great tits. Later the children had a chance to go into one of the larger hides and watch the water birds – cormorants, Thornhill schoolchildren were amazed to see various ducks, coots and gulls. Old the creatures living under the winter ice 64 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 65

“Middleton Lakes will be a site programme of survey and monitoring is of national conservation delivered and the data are collated and Nick Martin Nick stored. Understanding which species importance offering a great are present enables us to plan sensitive visitor experience, bringing management of the site. wildlife and people closer.” Conservation volunteers have planted tens of thousands of reeds to create the reedbed, cut back huge swathes of willow and moved almost a hundred

tonnes of gravel to newly created Allen Cook islands. They have built numerous otter holts, put up barn owl boxes and Enthusiastic volunteers help man stalls, started work on the long list of visitor give talks and lead guided walks facilities we need, such as benches,

steps and signs. To create even greater Nick Martin capacity, eight volunteers are undertaking a full training programme Volunteers are planting 60,000 reed plants to create habitat and can lead extra work parties. for bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers Volunteers have played a huge part in raising the profile of the project and they have allowed the number of Volunteering towards the vision – a team guided walks, talks and events to exceed what could be delivered by effort at Middleton Lakes staff alone. Volunteers also provide administrative support, manage the AUTHOR: NICK MARTIN, PROJECT MANAGER, MIDDLETON LAKES budget sheets and even write press Lake edges will be improved for waders and waterfowl, through releases. regrading and profiling Two years ago we bought attractive to waders and waterfowl. is to make you feel that you are Middleton Lakes, 160 ha of worked We have made a good start on this, immersed within the habitat rather out quarry in the flood plain of the removing 9 ha of willows and than viewing it from the sidelines. Young volunteers have been River Tame to the North East of reprofiling 10 ha of lake edge so far. The reserve will be zoned, so the included in the team, and the When Middleton Lakes opens to the Birmingham. In late 2007, we put The grassland will now be reworked further you go from the car park the project has benefited from public within the next couple of years their enthusiasm and energy

out a press release offering the to introduce a series of scrapes and more wild the landscape and Martin Nick it will be an amazing reserve – full of opportunity to local supporters to ditches. Grazing will be established to experience will become. thriving and exciting wildlife and a come and get involved with ensure that the low-lying grassland great place for everyone to discover restoring the site for wildlife and and fringe vegetation provide ample Making it happen and explore; but most of all it will people. Sixty people came to an nesting and foraging sites for represent a big team effort. open evening and since then the breeding waders. A large area of reed With the help of SITA Environmental volunteer operation has expanded suitable for a pair of breeding bitterns Trust we have been able to employ a Thanks to: and thrived. will be complemented with extensive biodiversity officer, who has introduced The Heritage Lottery Fund reed spits and islands for feeding. a large-scale training programme, using SITA Environmental Trust What we want to do volunteers to gather and input a large Natural England Aggregates Levy A series of visitor trails will be laid amount of data – on everything from Sustainability Fund The main aims for the wetlands are out to meander through the various hydrology to beetles! Experts lead the Staffordshire County Council

freeing the lakes from willow habitats, with natural vistas training and set up the protocols for the Garry Jones encroachment and re-profiling the maximising the opportunity for volunteers to follow, and then volunteer Where possible, reed rhizomes are edges to make them much more close-up wildlife views. The intention coordinators ensure that the full dug by hand and transplanted 66 The award-winning centre at Newport Wetlands was opened in 2008 RSPB RESERVES 2009 67 Wales NewsService (rspb-images.com) Since its conception, the reserve has adults and families as well as children. Young visitors being shown established itself as a beautiful home A number of these events are free of around by television wildlife presenter Iolo Williams for some of Wales’s most stunning charge or have a reduced rate for wildlife, including bearded tits, RSPB members, and they can often avocets and marsh harriers. A variety serve as an introduction to a lifelong of over-wintering waterfowl and interest in nature and conservation. waders have also made it their home, not to mention a huge variety of Events have been aimed at involving Wales News Service (rspb-images.com) News Service Wales mammals, invertebrates and plants. as much of the local community as possible, and have included a This stunning habitat is in stark stargazing night run in conjunction contrast to the historic use of the land with the Cardiff Astronomical Society – in the 1950s the site was a dumping and watercolour classes. ground for pulverised fuel ash by the adjacent coal-fired power station. With the help of our 30 volunteers we were able to plant nearly 40,000 The reserve is not just about reeds around the visitor centre in conservation; it is also about the September 2008. This took just two people who come here. Education is back-breaking days to complete! at the heart of almost everything we do, and we have attracted over 3,600 Once these reeds become school children to come and use the established the original vision of a reserve as an outdoor classroom since building floating on a reedbed will be the centre opened in March 2008. realised, reflecting the ecological sensitivity of the wetlands and the The school children take part in various relationship between the landscape outdoor activities such as pond dipping and use of natural sustainable to nature and wildlife experts alike – Newport Wetlands – a stunning at our new and bespoke pond-dipping materials within the building. Over you can take part in any of the platforms. There are also areas within time, the building will age and events or simply enjoy the wider habitat by the Severn estuary the immediate environs and nature mature, becoming an integral part of nature reserve at your own pace. walks that children can explore and the landscape. As well as enhancing Formed in the year 2000 as compensation for the loss of learn more about birds and wildlife. the aesthetics of the building, the Thanks to: reeds will improve the quality of the The visitor facilities at Newport mudflats in Cardiff Bay, Newport Wetlands National Nature We have recently added a new play water around the visitor centre, and Wetlands could not have been built Reserve is situated minutes from Newport city centre, area, which has a Severn estuary should, we hope, encourage a without financial help from our overlooking the Severn estuary. The 439-ha reserve is theme and contains a play lighthouse number of birds, including a variety of partners and the following owned and managed by the Countryside Council for Wales representing the East Usk lighthouse. warblers, to come close enough to organisations, to whom we are (CCW), which has entered into a partnership with Newport This is one of the most noticeable be visible from the cafe. very grateful for support: the City Council (NCC) and the RSPB to develop the visitor and landmarks on the reserve. It has now European Union’s Objective Two education facilities at the site. been joined by a play container ship, Newport Wetlands is conveniently programme, supported by the which mirrors the type of ship that situated just a short distance from Welsh Assembly Government and AUTHOR: GIDEON HARRIES, PEOPLE ENGAGEMENT OFFICER, NEWPORT WETLANDS frequently uses the Avonmouth docks the M4 corridor, so next time you’re secured via the Newport European on the other side of the channel. The passing, why not pop in and see it for Partnership; Newport City Council’s lighthouse and container ship are yourself? We even have a brand new Landfill Communities Fund; the linked with a zip wire because…well bus service, which drops visitors Countryside Council for Wales; the because children love zip wires! conveniently at the entrance to the Heritage Lottery Fund; the reserve. The reserve has welcomed Environment Agency Wales; Visit In addition, a lively programme of over 32,000 visitors in its first year, Wales; Welsh Power; and the events has been put in place, for and is a perfect place for those new Crown Estate. 68 RSPB RESERVES 2009 69 Kaleel Zibe(rspb-images.com) Mersehead After a successful translocation project, a breeding colony of natterjack Set next to wide expanses of toads is now established in the dune intertidal sand/mudflats of the pools, and the site is generally rich in Solway, Mersehead has impressive wildlife. Mersehead has over 250 bird populations throughout the year, species of plants, including the including substantial numbers of nationally scarce lax-flowered sea wintering wildfowl and breeding lavender and mudwort, 19 species of waders. The 1,082-ha reserve is of mammals and 300 species of international importance for over- moths/butterflies amongst a myriad of wintering barnacle geese, with up to invertebratefulva species, with nationally 14,000 birds, half the Svalbard scarce representatives such as Amara barnacle goose population, feeding (a ground beetle), Beris fuscipes and roosting on Mersehead. (a soldier fly), Ectemnius ruficornis (a solitary wasp) and Mecopsithes pensii Waders were represented by only (a money spider found nowhere else two pairs of lapwings when the in Scotland). RSPB took over the management of Mersehead in 1993. Since then, Over the last year the farmhouse on extensive wetland creation and wet the reserve has been transformed grassland management now covering into a multifunctional facility. The 120 ha of the site has led to dramatic Sulwath Centre (Sulwath is Solway’s increases in wader populations, with historical name) incorporates up to 70 pairs of breeding lapwings, education and conference rooms, 20 pairs of oystercatchers, 16 pairs group reception and offices on the of redshanks, 24 pairs of snipe and ground floor. The whole of the first 12 pairs of curlews. floor will provide accommodation for Gwyn Williams The farmhouse at Mersehead has been transformed into the Sulwath Centre, with up to six residential volunteers and education and conference rooms and accommodation for residential volunteers The developing reedbed has created field studies students. The area a new dimension to the reserve, with around the centre is being developed Volunteering at Mersehead up to 6,000 starlings using the site into wildlife gardens, with an area of for roosting in winter. The reeds have raised beds providing wheelchair Improvements for wildlife and people been colonised by breeding reed access to mini-beast safaris and pond Thanks to: in south and west Scotland warblers and water rails over the last dipping. The centre is powered by UK Government's Low Carbon five years, and there have been renewable energy, including a wood Building Programme and Scottish substantial increases in the breeding pellet boiler and solar thermal panels. Power Green Energy Trust; Leader + The RSPB manages a diverse range of reserves, some of populations of sedge warblers and and the European Development which are remote and wild while others are oases of reed buntings. Mersehead is a VisitScotland 4 star Fund; Sulwath Connections (through wildlife near urban centres. During 2008 we invested in Wildlife Visitor Attraction. Over 27,000 the Heritage Lottery Fund, and improving facilities for visitors at two very different A pair of spoonbills created a stir in people visit each year to enjoy the Scottish Natural Heritage); the 2000, when they started building a visitor centre, the new Sulwath Community Environmental Renewal reserves in Scotland: Mersehead, in a stunning location on nest on the Beck Burn wetland, but Centre, the wetland and coastal trails Scheme managed by Forward the Solway, and Barons Haugh, a well-used green space they abandoned the site a month and the two birdwatching hides. Scotland on behalf of the Scottish just outside Glasgow. Both sites are managed primarily for later. Spoonbills have been regular Government; Solway Heritage; wetland birds, with a focus on enabling our visitors to get visitors to the reserve since then, various Scottish Charitable Trusts close to and experience the wonders of the wildlife that and little egrets, marsh harriers and including The Robertson Trust, inhabits the reserves. avocets are among the annual visitors The Gillman Trusts and Moffat and potential colonists. Charitable Trust. AUTHORS: DAVE FAIRLAMB, MANAGER, MERSEHEAD AND BEN MITCHELL, ASSISTANT WARDEN, MERSEHEAD 70 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 71 Nick Chambers

meadow, and it seems only right that this type of habitat should be re-created here. Scrub has been removed, water levels have been raised and shallow-edged pools have been created for breeding wildfowl and passage waders. A tilting weir has also been installed to improve water-level control. Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

We have been working with the local community to gauge the demand for a reserve in the area and the response has been overwhelming. All seven local schools have already visited the reserve and are excited by its potential as a local resource for environmental education. The programme of guided walks and community talks has been well received and there is a strong feeling of community support for the reserve and for the work of the RSPB, which did not exist before this project Pool creation in the wet grassland was made difficult by the wet ground conditions More than a quarter of Scotland’s population live within 30 minutes’ drive of Barons Haugh was started.

We hope that waders will breed on Grahame Madge(rspb-images.com) Barons Haugh the site in the near future and that it will continue to be a valuable area for Barons Haugh is a little-known reserve The last year has seen dramatic Pioneering interpretation has been breeding wildfowl such as gadwalls. just outside Glasgow, nestling snugly improvements to the birdwatching installed. The Mobitour route has nine The amount of litter and vandalism between Hamilton and Motherwell. Its hides, car park and trails. The site posts placed at points of interest, all has already decreased since the start 107 ha encompass a variety of habitats has a history of anti-social behaviour, having a three-digit code on the top. of this project. The future will – ancient semi-natural woodland, so novel planning has been needed As the name suggests, you dial the undoubtedly bring fresh challenges, wildflower meadows, parkland, wet to bring about change. Windows local rate number and enter the but we face them with new hope for meadow and open water. With over have been cut in the backs of the three- digit number when prompted the future of this fantastic reserve. 25% of Scotland’s population within hides so that visitors can get a clear to hear our virtual ranger “Tam” tell 30 minutes’ drive, the reserve has view in. The insides have been you lots of interesting facts and Thanks to: huge potential for engaging with refurbished and the walls given a stories about the area. The service Our partners and funders, North people and providing intimate wildlife coat of vandal-resistant paint, which works very well, and it will be Lanarkshire Council and Scottish encounters “on your doorstep”. allows easy removal of any paint or interesting to get feedback from Natural Heritage the Heritage Lottery Key species at Barons Haugh include ink. The colour was originally visitors. We can monitor the number Fund (HLF), Historic Scotland, and the gadwall, sand martin, wigeon, intended to be natural “olive green”, of times it is accessed, so will soon Waste and Recycling Environmental whooper swan, kingfisher and otter. but it turned out a decidedly bright find out how popular it is. (WREN) and Biffaward through the The reserve is also one of the few “pea green”, which of course blended Extensive work has been done to Landfill Communities Fund. places in Scotland known to support a into the surroundings perfectly – and create an area of wet grassland on breeding population of comma there was absolutely no chance of Barons Haugh itself. The term Barons Haugh is one of the few butterflies. painting over it! “haugh” is a Scots word for flooded places in Scotland where comma butterflies breed 72 RSPB RESERVES 2009 73

The number of rare vagrant birds found on RSPB reserves in each year since 1950 (bars), and the area of RSPB reserves (red line) Nigel Blake

60 1600

50

1200

40 ) 2

30 800

20 Number of rarities

400 Area of reserves (km

10

0 0

1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

The rarest of them all, in vagrant Very rare birds always attract a more frequent vagrants. For almost terms, is the indigo bunting. A young crowd, but one of the strongest 12 years, visitors to Titchwell Marsh male of this species was found on contenders for the title of “Britain's could see a resident black-winged Ramsey Island in October 1996, and most-watched bird” is one of our stilt amongst the local oystercatchers Black lark: not your everyday species on RSPB reserves this is still the only accepted record of this bird in Britain. Seven other species Table 1 Birds from RSPB reserves that have been have made their first appearance in recorded on 10 or fewer occasions in Britain since 1950 Britain on an RSPB reserve, although Rare birds on RSPB reserves two of them (Audouin’s gull and Species British records RSPB records trumpeter finch) were first found Indigo bunting 1 1 Each year, hundreds of people visit RSPB reserves to see rare nearby and they only later moved to Hudsonian godwit 2 1 birds. Some of them come for a species they had long wanted to the reserve. One of the most Black lark 2 1 see, others hope for the excitement of finding something new celebrated rarities from RSPB reserves Grey-tailed tattler 2 1 almost belongs to the “firsts” Siberian blue robin 2 1 and unexpected. Rare birds are always thrilling, and RSPB category. The black lark at South Stack Barrow's goldeneye 3 1 reserves are good places to enjoy these exotic migrants. For our in 2003 gave about 4,000 people their Oriental pratincole 3 2 purposes, we can call “rare” vagrants those species whose first encounter with this species in Audouin's gull 4 1 records are collated by the British Birds Rarities Committee Britain, but it also prompted the White-tailed lapwing 5 1 (BBRC). Northern Ireland has its own list of rarities, but the BBRC re-examination of some notes made White-throated needletail 5 1 species are rare throughout the UK. The list of rare British birds about a bird seen in 1984 in Yorkshire. Red-necked stint 6 1 includes over 250 species, of which 104 have been found on The Yorkshire bird was re-identified as Canvasback 7 1 Britain's first black lark, and the South Black scoter 8 2 RSPB reserves. Stack one became the second. Other Slender-billed gull 9 2 extreme rarities recorded from RSPB Lesser crested tern 9 3 AUTHOR: MARK GURNEY, RESERVES ECOLOGIST reserves are shown in Table 1. Buff-bellied pipit 10 1 74 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 75

reserves in conserving and creating Table 2 Vagrants with more than 20% of their recent British records on RSPB this scarce habitat. This is even more reserves. Figures relate to the 10 years 1998–2007, and include species with at least apparent with reedbeds. RSPB five British records in that period reserves contain about 18% of Britain’s reedbeds, so it is not

Species British records RSPB records % British records RSPB records surprising that they have had 22% (Britain) on RSPB reserves (Northern Ireland) of the great reed warblers. Penduline tit 77 40 52 Greater yellowlegs 6 3 50 The total of more than half of the Little crake 6 3 50 penduline tits is due to several small Black-winged stilt 48 19 40 parties, some of which have returned Sociable lapwing 5 2 40 in successive years. But are these Stilt sandpiper 5 2 40 birds vagrants? A group of birds that Red-breasted goose 27 10 37 winters outside its normal range and Least sandpiper 6 2 33 makes return visits is not lost; it is Bufflehead 7 2 29 finding new wintering grounds. Bird Forster's tern 7 2 29 1 distributions change more than we Long-billed dowitcher 41 12 29 1 might think, and we are receiving Marsh sandpiper 34 10 29 potential colonists all the time. By Caspian tern 41 11 27 providing suitable habitat for these Glossy ibis 49 12 24 species, we could be helping birds Gull-billed tern 29 7 24 expand their ranges and colonise new Wilson's phalarope 17 4 24 areas. This is particularly important at RSPB reserves where rare vagrants have been found. Great reed warbler 44 10 23 a time when changes in climate could The size of the square is proportional to the number Broad-billed sandpiper 44 9 20 1 force birds to leave parts of their of records. The yellow part shows the number of Canvasback 5 1 20 current ranges, and when wetland records since 1998, the orange part shows records Lesser yellowlegs 93 19 20 2 drainage is still a threat to wildlife in from before 1998 many parts of the world. A few individuals managing to survive a few these two reserves are a long way Shetland sites and hope to find a and avocets. Many tens of thousands white egret and purple heron would winters is hardly a population, and ahead of the others, but the Pechora pipit. This is the most A black-winged stilt was of people saw this bird, and anyone also feature in this list if they were predictions that serins and fan-tailed comparison is a little unfair because frequently recorded vagrant that has resident for almost 12 years who has seen a black-winged stilt in still rare vagrants. warblers would become permanent they have both had over 60 years to yet to appear on an RSPB reserve. at Titchwell Marsh Britain is quite likely to have done so members of our birdlife have come to build up their totals. Even so, they But the latest addition was one of on an RSPB reserve: almost 40% of These totals are impressive, but can nothing. But it is exciting to think that are still top of the table for the last 10 the least expected. Britain’s second the stilts seen in Britain in the last 10 they tell us something about the we might be seeing the start of years. Seven other reserves have an glaucous-winged gull (pending years1 for which records are available value of RSPB reserves? Wetland something new, and we should be average of at least one rarity a year acceptance) was found at the RSPB’s have been on RSPB reserves. Rare species dominate the list of rarities prepared for surprises. How many of during that period. The number of newest reserve at Saltholme on the waders in general are particularly that seem particularly fond of RSPB those who saw the first Cetti's vagrants on RSPB reserves has last day of 2008, showing again that well represented on RSPB reserves: sites. Pools on popular RSPB warblers, little ringed plovers and increased in line with the increasing as far as vagrants are concerned, 110 have been recorded in the last reserves are under almost constant collared doves realised what would area of reserves. There was an almost anything is possible. 10 years, just under 20% of the total surveillance by people who are follow those pioneers? average of 36 a year during for the whole of Britain. Other well- hoping to find something unusual, so 1998–2007, which is 10% of all Thanks to: represented species are glossy ibis, this might account in part for the high Minsmere owes its existence to one vagrants found in Britain and Ireland We are grateful to the British Birds red-breasted goose, Caspian tern, proportion of sightings. But shallow of those colonising birds, the avocet. over that period. The south and east Rarities Committee for helping with gull-billed tern, great reed warbler pools, with accessible, food-rich It is also the reserve with the longest coast reserves have the most rarities the production of this article. and penduline tit (see Table 2). RSPB margins, and muddy scrapes are not list of rare vagrant species: 43 have recorded, but even inland sites have

reserves have hosted more than one common in our countryside, and the been recorded there since the RSPB one or two. Anyone wanting to add a 1From 1998 to 2007, the year of the latest BBRC report. fifth of all the British records of these high tallies of rare waders could became involved with the site. new bird to the RSPB reserves list species from the last 10 years. Great reflect the importance of nature Dungeness has 40 species, and should probably head for one of the Mark Gurney 76 RSPB RESERVES 2009 77 Ben Hall (rspb-images.com)

Working for 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.

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.

The RSPB works with water companies such as Severn Trent Water at Lake Vyrnwy and United Utilities at Haweswater 78 RSPB RESERVES 2009 79

How much waste? from the visitor centre. Working at has resulted in a 70% reduction in the national and local level with our amount going to landfill. A quick calculation with a local forester suppliers, we have begun to target the suggested we could generate up to type and amount of packaging used. In The heathland restoration has 3,000 m3 of felling waste per year addition, we have begun the produced and marketed over 300 m3 (enough to fill an Olympic sized construction of a simple recycling of compost and a further 1,100 m3 are

Chris Gomersall (rspb-images.com) swimming pool!). Burning this amount facility next to the visitor centre to undergoing the composting process. of material would be a waste of process its waste. Throughout the The compost has passed all the resources, increase our carbon process, the contractors have provided industry tests and has been very footprint, and would be a nuisance to assistance in gaining the relevant successful for growing beans and both visitors and neighbours. We permissions, in advising on methods peas. The compost has been used to needed to find an alternative. and equipment and ensuring that all increase soil organic matter content on assessments, testing and analysis of the reserve, and has been sold to We also took this opportunity to the composts are completed. trade buyers and reserve visitors. review other sources of waste from the reserve and to investigate The sites for the felling compost and Processing waste from habitat opportunities to reduce, re-use or the recycling facility for the visitor management to produce usable re-cycle. The visitor centre, including centre were chosen, with the advice products is giving us the opportunity to the shop and tea room, produced up of the Environment Agency and the try new ways of managing habitats, to 1,800 litres per week of general local authority, to minimise any using more sustainable methods and waste and a similar amount of environmental impacts, to be suitably is introducing us to new audiences. cardboard and plastic packaging. positioned to keep haulage of Only 10% was being recycled. The material to a minimum and to allow Thanks to: large amount of cardboard and the lack easy access for collection of the Our funders Defra through the of on-site facilities for sorting and composted or recycled products. Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund, processing the waste meant that most administered by ACRE (through the of it was unsuitable for The re-cycling facility at the visitor COMMA Fund); CEMEX Community Our new recycling facility has enabled us to reduce by 70% the amount of waste from the shop and tea room that goes to landfill re-cycling and went to landfill. centre includes a cardboard compactor Fund through the Landfill and baler, a crusher for cans and Communities Fund; South Downs Almost 30% of the waste from the tea plastic, and a large scale wormery for Joint Committee Sustainable room was suitable for composting, but composting green waste from the tea Development Fund; BIG Lottery Fund’s Greening waste management at attempts to compost it along with room. The ability to process the waste Breathing Places and Community Pulborough Brooks green waste from the centre gardens to a more suitable form for recycling Sustainable Energy programmes. had failed in the past because of problems with odour, bio aerosols,

Pulborough Brooks is set in the heart of the Arun Valley vermin, and leachate. Peter Hughes Open windrows are used to compost the felling waste in West Sussex. We have recently begun a programme of heathland creation by conifer clearance at the reserve. The solution The large amount of felling waste and leaf litter this was We are composting the felling waste due to create gave us the opportunity to look at how we on-site. Felling waste is transported to can make our operations at the site more sustainable. a site at the edge of the restoration In particular, we reviewed our tea room operation that area. It is shredded by a 20-tonne attracts many tens of thousands of customers per year. specialist shredding machine, piled up in rows up to 60 m long, and turned AUTHOR: TIM CALLAWAY, AREA MANAGER, SUSSEX, HANTS AND ISLE OF WIGHT regularly with a large front loader to speed up the decomposition process. We have also started to tackle waste 80 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 81 Simon Busuttil

Alan Leitch The value of reedbeds, like many other habitats, depends on management. They have been managed for many years by a series of privately owned, commercial companies and the RSPB now continues this management using the same staff, expertise and equipment. We use a Seiga reed harvester to cut about 40 ha of reed each year. The Seiga is a self- propelled amphibious machine with a 3-m reciprocating cutter at the front, a 4 m x 3 m cargo deck area A Seiga reed harvester is used to cut and bundle the reed and very low ground pressure. The same extent of reed is cut each year. The reed is bundled and taken off the reedbed, sorted, so that only Our management is slightly and link supply to demand within the straight reed of a certain length different from that carried out by UK will be an interesting challenge remains, and then bunched. These the commercial companies but it over the next few years. bunches are sold primarily as is based on the same principles. material for thatching roofs. Several Whilst commercial companies tend Thanks to: thousand bunches are sold each to harvest reed in large blocks, as We would like to thank Scottish year, helping offset the cost of it is more cost-effective, we cut in Natural Heritage, SITA Trust via Perth running the reserve. smaller blocks to create a greater and Kinross Quality of Life Trust, the length of edge habitat throughout the Crown Estates through the Marine A mosaic cutting pattern at the Tay is used to increase the reedbed Cutting creates variety within a reserve, and we are monitoring the Community Fund and the Tay Ringing edge, an important habitat for bearded tits reedbed. The removal in late winter effect so that we can further refine Group for their help and support in of the previous season’s growth of what we do. managing this reserve. reed prevents the build-up of a thatch of old dead reed and keeps an area There is a large market for reed for

The RSPB and the Tay reedbeds open until the following year’s thatching within the UK, much of Andy Hay(rspb-images.com) growing season. These cut areas which is met by imports from Surprisingly, perhaps, the largest continuous area of reed in the UK is in Perthshire, have been shown to be valuable European reedbeds. Whilst our Scotland. Huge tidal reedbeds cover 400 ha between Dundee and Perth alongside feeding areas for bearded tits. The principle objective on the Tay is to the untamed Tay river, and our reserve here comprises half of this reedbed area structural contrast between the uncut ensure the reedbeds remain suitable along with 700 ha of mudflats. The whole area is rich in wildlife and as a result is and the cut areas provides an edge for their important bird life, we want designated as SSSI, SAC, Ramsar and SPA. The reedbeds are full of sedge warblers where densities of breeding birds to do this in a way which helps to such as sedge and reed warblers sustain important small-scale and and reed buntings and support significant breeding populations of bearded tits and have been shown to be higher. Even locally based industries in East water rails. Huge roosts of swallows are present in late summer and whilst much of when the reed has grown back, England and Perthshire. There has the thinking on the subject is in its infancy, the area should be considered a these areas are noticeably different been significant investment in the stepping stone for species such as reed warblers that may have to shift their from uncut areas – the removal of creation of new reedbeds in the past range to the north in response to climate change. Other species such as little previous growth and subsequent lack 15 years, particularly for bitterns, and egret and spoonbill may in future be attracted to the Tay reedbeds, along with of dead reed on the ground allows there is a growing resource in the UK Cetti’s warblers. feeding insectivores easier access to that needs managing. Finding cost- the damp ground where there is effective techniques and partnerships The Tay reedbeds are important much insect life. to manage our reedbeds effectively for breeding bearded tits AUTHOR: SIMON BUSUTTIL, RESERVES MANAGER, EAST SCOTLAND 82 RSPB RESERVES 2009 83 Jacob WijpkemaJacob (rspb-images.com)

Working internationally

The RSPB is part of the BirdLife International partnership and works with over 20 countries around the world and the UK Overseas Territories. Our work involves building the capacity of other BirdLife Partners to become strong and independent nature conservation organisations. We also help them to set up, fundraise 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 project management and management planning. In three countries, Poland, Sierra Leone and Indonesia, we are working with our BirdLife Partners to set up large conservation areas.

Banded pitta: one of the stunning birds found in the Harapan Rainforest in Sumatra 84 RSPB RESERVES 2009 85

One of the most obvious challenges communities are often totally reliant An additional challenge in many of international working is the on ecosystem services such as countries is that there is little or no difference in scale. In March 2008, watershed protection or on wildlife experience of management planning,

Alex Hipkiss (RSPB) the RSPB managed 203 nature and other natural products for their so the RSPB’s projects need to reserves, the largest Abernethy, daily needs. This means that include an element of training so that which covers 14,480 ha. By contrast, management plans need to be our partners are eventually able to the largest site overseas where the produced in a fully participatory way, prepare and implement plans on their RSPB has provided management with local community representatives own. Where possible, training planning advice is Korgalzhyn State forming part of the planning team involves staff from government Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan, which from the outset, and that social and conservation agencies and NGOs so covers 326,878 ha – almost two and economic development need to be that national technical capacity is a half times the size of all of the given as much importance as nature increased overall. Such training also RSPB’s reserves put together! conservation. In some cases, the provides an opportunity for partners continuation of traditional practices is to build long-term relationships with Larger sites require a markedly compatible with the conservation government agencies, increasing different kind of management. Most objectives for a site but in many their status and ability to influence RSPB reserves are intensively cases practices need to be modified future conservation initiatives. managed, as the UK’s countryside or replaced with alternative sources has been heavily modified by humans of income to reduce threats to key The final major challenge is securing over the centuries and reserve habitats or species. The management funding for the implementation of management often aims to mimic planning process provides a means management plans. Many of the traditional land management for all the values of a site – natural, countries richest in birds and practices that are no longer carried social, economic, cultural and biodiversity are those with the out on a large scale. Additionally, in historical – to be identified, assessed greatest social and environmental the UK people do not usually rely on and prioritised in an objective way problems and funding for the countryside around them. This is and for consensus to be reached on conservation is usually a very low in stark contrast to the situation at what needs to be achieved to ensure priority. Management planning Consultation with communities bordering reserves is critical to the many sites overseas, where local that both people and wildlife benefit. therefore needs to include activities success of management plans, Jojoima, Sierra Leone. Locations where management planning support has been given since 2006

International management planning

The RSPB has extensive experience of preparing and implementing management plans for its nature reserves throughout the UK and, increasingly, this experience is being transferred to RSPB-supported BirdLife International Partners around the world, as more of them become involved in “on the ground” conservation projects. While the underlying principles of management planning remain the same, working internationally presents a unique and exciting series of challenges.

AUTHOR: GEOFF WELCH, INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT PLANS ADVISOR 86 RSPB RESERVES 2009 RSPB RESERVES 2009 87 Harapan Rainforest Lars Lachmann

RSPB staff offering expertise in wetland management in Biebrza, Poland We are facilitating a range of training programmes for the staff of the Harapan Rainforest in Sumatra

directed towards securing funding. forest and has coordinated a demonstrating that conserving RSPB international management plan input – from This can range from helping develop detailed training programme for species and habitats can deliver September 2006 (approx chronological order) nature-based tourism to assisting management staff and forest guards tangible and sustainable benefits. partners in submitting grant for the soon-to-be-declared National Country Site name applications to large funding bodies Park. In Harapan (101,000 ha), in Finally, management planning Kazakhstan Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve such as the European Union or the addition to establishing a trust fund, internationally provides RSPB staff Alakol State Nature Reserve Global Environment Fund. the RSPB is working with local with opportunities to increase their Montserrat Centre Hills NGOs to raise the legal status and knowledge and experience, which Sierra Leone Gola Forest Two examples of where innovative land tenure rights of local people so assists in developing more effective Poland Eight sites important for Aquatic Warbler RSPB management planning is that they have an opportunity and conservation in the UK where the Germany One site important for Aquatic Warbler bringing together all these elements incentive to invest in small-scale problems – and solutions – facing our Zimbabwe Monavale Vlei are the Gola Forest in Sierra Leone agricultural and commercial wildlife are increasingly global in Malta Rdum tal-Madonna and the Harapan Rainforest in enterprises rather than being nature. Greece Six small wetlands Sumatra. In Gola Forest (74,900 ha) involved in illegal logging. For large Portugal Ria de Aveira SPA the RSPB is helping to establish a sites such as these the only way to Sumatra Harapan Rainforest trust fund to provide ongoing ensure the long-term survival of the South Africa Cata Community Forest development support to the seven forests is to remove the pressure by Soweto Wetland communities living around the giving the local people security and Wakkerstroom 88 Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com)

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 year 2007/8 and 2008/9 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, Bedfordshire 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 Sutherland 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: Eurasian crane by Peter Cairns (rspb-images.com) The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: England & Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654 120-1865-08-09