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 rspb-images.comWales Headquarters rspb-images.com Sutherland House, Castlebridge, Cowbridge Road East, Cardiff CF11 9AB Tel: 029 2035 3000

www.rspb.org.ukcaption text caption text goes here caption text caption text goes here caption text caption text goes here caption caption text caption text goes here caption text caption text goes here caption text text caption text goes here caption text caption text gxt goes here caption texon caption text gxt goes here caption texon text goes here captionThe RSPB text caption speaks textout for birds and wildlife, tackling the text goes here caption text caption text goes here problems that threaten our environment. Nature is goes here amazing – help us keep it that way.

caption text caption text goes here caption text caption text goes here caption text caption text goes here caption caption text caption text goes here caption BirdLife textINTERNATIONAL caption text goes here caption text text caption text goes here caption text caption text goes here caption text goes caption text goes here caption text goes hereAs a caption charity, text the caption RSPB textis dependent goes here on the goodwill and financial support here caption text caption text goes here captionof people text like caption you. text Please goes visithere www.rspb.org.uk/supportingcaption or call caption text caption text goes here caption

text01767 caption 680551 text to goes find here out more. togethertext caption text goes here Front cover by Geoff Robinson (rspb-images.com)

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity: we are a million voices for nature England & Wales no. 207076, Scotland no. SC037654 350-0468-07-08 2

1 07– 08 Together we are the RSPB.

Wildlife has no voice: so we must speak out for birds and other wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment.

We are a million voices for nature.

Nature is amazing and inspirational.

You can help us keep it that way.

rspb-images.com

3 Each day brings challenges and achievements, frustrations and celebrations for wildlife conservation. As the world warms, development pressures increase and human exploitation of the natural environment intensifies, our job will never diminish.

Speaking up for nature working for wildlife from Minsmere to Antarctica

Our 200 nature reserves across the UK headlines, from Lewis to Stonehenge, help ensure that wildlife has a future are just the more visible tip of a very and that people have the best possible large body of work. opportunities to enjoy and appreciate the natural world. We added some Our policy work ranged from advocacy excellent new reserves, from to government urging more action on Caithness to Kent, and secured climate change issues, to seeking extensions to existing ones, to help us improvements to wildlife protection do this. New visitor centres, such as laws. In particular, we have been active the excellent new facility at Newport in seeking effective protection for Wetlands in South Wales, increased important wildlife areas at sea. our face-to-face contact with people who are eager to experience wildlife Alongside our work to protect sites, and learn more about it. we continue intensive research on the specific needs of wild birds and Wild nature, however, cannot and advocate measures to enhance their should not be restricted to a network numbers. For birds as varied as bitterns, of individual sites, however secure and red kites, skylarks and corn buntings, wonderful these may be. We are, we have enjoyed great results from Ian Newton (top), RSPB therefore, continually involved in trying such efforts. Our programme of Chairman, and Graham Wynne, to enhance opportunities for wildlife research and analysis is much broader RSPB Chief Executive, report on across the countryside, working with than this, however, including such matters as the economics of the RSPB year 2007–2008. an increasingly wide range of people and organisations to do so. agriculture, biofuels impacts and fishery policies. This gives the intellectual rigour We work hard to protect special that underpins our advocacy and places from damaging development. advisory work, as well as the practical Too often we have to re-argue the management of our nature reserves. case for areas that already have national and international designations, As it is ever more clear that wildlife is that recognise their great ecological threatened on a global scale, we SUMATRAN TIGERS may seem value, and theoretically already offer cannot pretend to insulate ourselves some way from the RSPB’s core work, them protection. in our small group of islands. Working but the deal to protect and restore a with our BirdLife International huge area of rainforest in Sumatra Nevertheless, we had some great partners, we support projects all over will prove vital for them, as well as successes during the year, backed by Europe, many in Africa and some in many special birds, insects and plants. excellent support from our members India, Indonesia and even the and the public: cases that made the Southern Oceans.

4 Sumatran tiger by Dave Watts (NHPA) 5 This was a big year for us in terms of groups, taking wildlife education out of international activity. We secured the the classroom and enthusing thousands first formal licence to operate in the of children by letting them see and Harapan Rainforest in Sumatra, as part begin to understand fascinating of a partnership working to restore creatures for themselves. some of the richest wildlife habitat on earth. In Sierra Leone, our work in Gola Financially, we depend very largely on Forest, built on solid foundations from individuals, through their membership many years of involvement, is leading to and extra support, such as buying sales the protection of a superb tract of goods and raffle tickets and making rainforest, rich in birdlife but also donations to appeals. The legacies that critically important for many mammals, people so generously leave in their wills including primates, pygmy have been particularly valuable. hippopotamus and elephants. This report includes a summary of our income and expenditure and a long list In Poland, we continue long term of acknowledgments. We offer our projects to support our BirdLife partner sincere thanks to all of those individuals in securing vital wetland habitats in the and organisations who help us in so Biebrza Marshes, helping to protect many ways. vulnerable species including the globally threatened aquatic warbler. We have invested in new membership recruitment techniques, with Our efforts to prevent the extinction of considerable success, and maintained three species of vultures in Asia began our membership in excess of a million to produce tangible results, with chicks people who care about wildlife and reared for the first time in captive support what we do. Our workload breeding centres. never diminishes, however. Its variety surprises even us. If you would like to The Albatross Task Force is increasingly help or become involved, we would be effective, as more fishing vessels adopt delighted to hear from you. techniques to catch fish without killing thousands of threatened seabirds.

As ever, we strive to increase public support for wildlife, mainly through offering real experience of it. Once people realise the value of the natural world and how much excitement and enjoyment they derive from it, they Professor Ian Newton begin to care deeply about it and strive RSPB Chairman to protect it.

Our network of Aren’t birds brilliant! sites across the UK helped hundreds of Steve Knell (rspb-images.com) thousands of people to enjoy birds as impressive as peregrines and ospreys, while our nature reserves received a fantastic 1.8 million visits. Many Graham Wynne CHILDREN WILL CARE about reserves, too, offer facilities for school RSPB Chief Executive wildlife if they become enthused about it. Our field teachers on nature reserves are great enthusers, as many children and teachers testify.

YELLOWHAMMERS and other farmland songbirds face a tough time in the face of intensive agriculture, but we can find ways to help them. Many farmers are proud to be doing great things for wildlife.

6 Yellowhammer by Terry Button (rspb-images.com) 7 “This is the right decision for Lewis, absolutely right for Scotland and right for the UK. We can and must meet ambitious, and welcome, targets for renewable energy, without sacrificing our most important environmental resources.”

George Campbell, RSPB Regional Director, North Scotland

Making a case Protecting special places

When the Scottish Government one of the reasons. Our favoured tunnel announced that a proposal for a huge option was put aside too, however, wind farm on Lewis was refused, on leaving the problem unresolved. environmental grounds, RSPB staff and In more than 1,000 cases, the RSPB members alike breathed a huge sigh of made sure that conservation arguments relief. The case against it was cast-iron were fully aired and carried due weight. – the area has all the conservation Nevertheless, the RSPB can’t become designations imaginable – but the involved in every planning case, even pressure for it was intense. where conservation is an issue. You can Protecting such great places for wildlife act locally: to support people fighting from ill-considered, damaging planning issues affecting wildlife sites, development demands more work we sent out 3,000 RSPB Wildlife Action every year, but, with your support, we Packs. You can download one from the are effective. The pain has been RSPB website. sharpest in Scotland this year: staff working on the Lewis proposal particularly deserve great praise. “Wild nature needs a new deal from We continue our long-running developers, a recognition that well Abernethy by Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) campaign to defend the unique planned development should avoid Dungeness peninsula in Kent from unnecessary conflict with the damaging plans to expand Lydd airport: natural world. Undue weight plans that do nothing, either, to help PROTECT THE BEST and currently rests on the shoulders combat climate change. enhance the rest remains a useful of commentators such as the RSPB to mantra. We fight for the future of the Road bypass schemes at Stonehenge, champion wildlife and persuade finest wildlife sites, and work with which would have cut swathes through authorities to give due consideration local authorities and government the Wiltshire Downs, damaging RSPB to the environment.” agencies to encourage positive plans reserves with sensitive birds such as for the countryside. stone-curlews, were dismissed. The RSPB’s opposition, including thousands Brian Cleary GOLDEN EAGLES are among of letters from members, was cited as Head of Casework those birds that would have been affected by badly-sited wind farms on protected areas of Lewis. Now we have made the case for continued protection, our focus shifts from fighting damaging proposals to a positive future for the Outer Isles, including appropriately sited renewable energy schemes.

8 Golden eagle by Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) 9 “It’s great when reports show how well we’ve been reversing declines or re-establishing birds that had disappeared. Many species face problems; for some we know what they are, for some we know what we have to do and for some we’re already putting things right. For others we’re still working out what’s gone wrong.”

Mark Avery, Director of Conservation Constant effort Protecting special birds

We judge our efforts by results. A the coast. More and urgent action by number of species obviously like what the Government is needed to create we do, including corncrakes and corn safe compensatory habitats, to add to buntings in the Western Isles, bitterns our own work at such places as (back above 50 males) and white-tailed Lakenheath Fen, Suffolk, and Ouse Fen, eagles (42 pairs in western Scotland). Cambridgeshire, to give a secure future Choughs nested on Rathlin Island, Co for this remarkable bird. Antrim, for the first time for 19 years and red kites increased in all kinds of Fifteen radio-tagged white-tailed eagles places. were released in Tayside. These birds came from Norway and excited great Priority birds UK-wide had mixed interest all the way up the east coast fortunes. For migrants such as spotted from Berwick upon Tweed to the Loch flycatchers, we don’t yet know the of Strathbeg. relative importance of factors in breeding and wintering areas, and on migration routes: several declining “At Corrimony in the central species present us with similar highlands, we’ve planted new native puzzles. woodland, restored wetlands and Lakenheath by Norman Sills (rspb-images.com) Around 50 booming male bitterns in removed non-native trees – our Britain is good, but even here we have fantastic black grouse have responded to be careful, as their recovery largely by bucking the national trend of REEDBEDS are essential for much stems from a few productive females continuing decline. From 16 cocks wildlife, from bearded tits and on the Suffolk coast, including displaying when we first came here in bitterns to special moths. Naturally, Minsmere, which is threatened by however, they dry out and disappear rising sea levels. A major surge in the 1997, numbers rose to 57 by 2007.” over time: to maintain them requires North Sea resulted in increased expensive management work. erosion at Minsmere and saltwater Dan Tomes, Site Manager, flooding bittern breeding sites along Corrimony BITTERNS have recovered well from a low point of just 11 males in the UK, but this upturn in numbers has relied too heavily on just a handful of breeding females in East Anglian reedbeds, which are threatened by rising sea levels.

10 Bittern by Richard Brooks (rspb-images.com) 11 “Climatic change and wildlife’s responses to it are difficult to forecast with precision, but our study helps us appreciate the magnitude of possible impacts and to identify species most at risk and in need of urgent help and protection.”

Professor Rhys Green, RSPB scientist

Changing times What does the future hold?

climatic atlas of European breeding birds A book co-authored by the RSPB, A proposals and projects such as the Severn Barrage, which risk irreversible , maps the potential range of damage to habitats, are expensive Europe’s breeding birds in the late 21st distractions from the job of creating an century. The results are worrying. The efficient, streamlined, low-carbon breeding area of an average species economy based on sustainable sources will shift 350 miles north-east and its of clean energy. The latter will involve a range will be about a fifth smaller. significant expansion of onshore and Some species risk extinction, at least offshore wind farms, but these must be in Europe. in appropriate locations.

Government plans and programmes to Current biofuels policies are woeful: tackle climate change are evolving, but intended to reduce damaging emissions still lack the urgency and coherence of greenhouse gases, some biofuels needed to tackle this unprecedented produce more emissions than the fossil environmental crisis. Emissions in the fuels they are meant to replace. Vast UK have remained stable or increased areas of natural habitat have been slightly in most years of the last turned over to biofuel production. decade, but they need to fall Grasslands and rainforests are such dramatically if we are to achieve a 40% important carbon stores that tearing Wind turbines by Nigel Blake (rspb-images.com) cut by 2020, which scientists tell us is them up for biofuels creates a carbon necessary to avoid the worst impacts debt that takes years to pay back. on wildlife and people. RENEWABLE ENERGY includes We desperately need a bold plan, to many new technologies and offers an move us away from dependence on “Climate change is an international abundance of opportunities for fossil fuels towards more sustainable emergency which requires swift sustainable development, in the right forms of energy. Yet the Government is action in every country of the world. places, with little damage. We have defending policies that could see up to Our Government must demonstrate worked with suppliers and developers to identify areas on land and at sea 10 new coal-fired power plants built in bold leadership and work to a clear the UK, even though coal is the most where our urgent need for renewable climate-polluting fuel there is. It also and rational plan. It’s time we started energy can safely be met. clings to policies on renewable energy concentrating on solutions that work, that fall short on delivery, yet risk beginning with a green energy WILDLIFE IN THE FAR NORTH needless harm to the environment. The revolution that is delivered in is especially threatened by climate change. Not only polar bears, but UK has one of the worst records in harmony with the natural Europe on renewable energy, in part millions of breeding seabirds, due to the Government’s unwillingness environment.” wildfowl and wading birds, many of to implement policies that will bring which come to the UK each winter, forward projects of the right kind, in Ruth Davis, face an uncertain future. the right places. Ill-sited wind farm Head of Climate Change Policy

12 Polar bear by Jordi Bas Casas (nhpa) 13 “The Marine Bill mustn’t be just some flimsy bit of government paper; it has to be meaningful. It’s staggering that we take such good care of our nature reserves on land but so often ignore the sea.”

Kate Humble, RSPB Vice President

All at sea Half the job still to do

Seabirds must come to land to breed, The Scottish Government is looking to and we protect them at their colonies: extend up to 31 Special Protection RSPB nature reserves such as Areas (SPAs) to give seabird feeding and Bempton Cliffs, Fowlsheugh, resting areas close to their nesting Grassholm, Troup Head and Rathlin colonies the same protection as on land. Island have the magnificent spectacle This is a good step forward for the of thousands of birds crowding cliffs marine environment, which has been from spring to late summer. left behind for much too long.

But the job is only half done if we protect places where they nest but “We were very excited to see a draft ignore seabirds’ other needs. Even in UK Marine Bill finally published and summer, they must find food in the hope for new, robust laws to protect sea. They spend the rest of their year over the oceans far from land. the UK’s fabulous sea life. But there’s Pollution, development, overfishing a real danger that, if it is not and climate change all threaten the strengthened, the full UK Marine Bill way the natural system works, often will be a rehash of the current, with dire consequences for seabirds. ineffective legislation, that has seen Bempton Cliffs by Ernie Janes (rspb-images.com) The Safeguard Our SeaLife campaign just three marine nature reserves calls for strong and effective marine created in the last 27 years.” legislation in both Westminster and BEMPTON CLIFFS has long been Holyrood. It moved up a gear in 2007, Sharon Thompson, famous for its magnificent seabird with more than 300,000 pledges of Senior Marine Policy Officer colonies, but seabirds here and support (more than 123,000 from elsewhere around the UK have been supporters like you) submitted to the finding it hard to rear chicks in recent Prime Minister and the First Minister years, due to lack of food. for Scotland.

WHY BASKING SHARKS? They Proposed legislation for protecting rely on plankton, as do the main fish marine areas was weak: we wish to foods of seabirds. Both these giant see Government legislation that is as sharks and seabirds are vulnerable to strong as its promises. growing pressure from human activity at sea. The RSPB’s marine work benefits all wildlife.

14 Basking shark by Alan Jones (naturepl.com) 15 “Rising grain prices and a move towards biofuels mean farmers are less interested in agri- environment schemes, and the payments are less attractive. We risk seeing much less wildlife in a more intensively farmed countryside.”

Sue Armstrong-Brown, Head of Countryside Conservation

Bad harvest Recovering farmland birds need help

After years of work to help farmland Cirl buntings have disappeared from birds, hit so hard by intensive most of Britain to become restricted to agriculture, we could easily be Devon. With the help of enthusiastic disheartened by Government decisions farmers and agri-environment schemes, that make their future more uncertain. they are doing so well there that we have been able to move some to The recovery in numbers of birds such Cornwall. In this ground-breaking work, as lapwings, linnets, reed buntings and chicks are taken at six days old and hand song thrushes depends on government reared by experts from Paignton Zoo, agri-environment schemes, but the who feed them every two hours from financial support for these is yet to be 6 am to midnight. decided. Set-aside was abolished, bad news for stone-curlews and corn “We started taking young cirl buntings as well as much other buntings from Devon to Cornwall in countryside wildlife – given the obvious 2006, the first reintroduction of a need for environmental safeguards, we are pleased to see recent Government songbird anywhere in Europe! It’s plans to help farmland wildlife. wonderful to have been involved in the whole process, from finding nests There was better news from Hope in Devon to taking chicks to Hope Farm by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Farm, our arable research and Cornwall – and hard to believe that demonstration farm in Cambridgeshire. Here, farmland bird numbers were up some of the chicks moved in 2006 are by 89% since 2000, yellowhammer now grandparents!” FARMLAND must provide us with numbers doubled and skylarks tripled. food and other essentials, but can be Crop yields continue to be among the Nick Tomalin, highly productive without being devoid of wildlife. We are developing techniques best in this area, so our demonstration RSPB cirl bunting project farm shows it can be done! that are good for some farmland birds, such as skylarks, without reducing yields.

LAPWINGS cannot rear chicks in autumn-sown crops that grow too tall and dense by spring, or in fields that are too dry, or in huge areas of monoculture: they need a varied landscape with wet places included. Making sure they have a place in the future of our countryside requires real commitment and is a tough call.

16 Lapwing by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) 17 “On our first visit to Conwy, the team there was fantastic: a warm welcome and eager to help, exactly what you need when you’re new to what nature has to offer. An amazing day: the team and the reserve have the wow factor.”

Elaine Day, RSPB member

Getting it right Doing the right thing on our nature reserves

Where we can, we create the best An agreement to manage part of conditions for wildlife, and for you, on Wallasea Island, and an option to buy our nature reserves. Our 203 nature the rest, should lead to fantastic reserves cover 140,441 hectares. opportunities to recreate wild Essex During 2007–08, because of the coast, if we can raise the money. generosity of members and grant funders, we were able to add 2,405 Our nature reserves are wonderful hectares, including new reserves at places for people, as well as wildlife. Lydden Valley and Seasalter Levels, Pride of place for new visitor facilities Kent; and Broubster Leans and Dunnet goes to the Newport Wetlands Centre in Head, Caithness. South Wales, opened in March 2008 (largely paid for by Objective 2 European Buying and managing land for wildlife funds via the Welsh European Funding costs a great deal, and we are Office), and the centre at Lakenheath, delighted that our ambitions coincide opened in May 2007, made possible by with those of many other people, who the Heritage Lottery Fund, WREN and are willing to invest in our work as the Suffolk Development Agency. partners and supporters, making your membership support go so much Newport wetlands by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) further (see page 40). “What a spectacular day at Dungeness: why most teenagers stay We put our backs into habitat at home I‘ll never know. It was restoration with great results, NEWPORT WETLANDS in Wales especially at Hesketh Outmarsh beside absolutely fantastic; visits are a must!” provide great opportunities for people the Ribble, Lancashire, with great help Benjamin Young, RSPB member to see wild nature first hand. from the Environment Agency; at Inspiring children to care remains a Bolton Ings in the Dearne Valley, South “On a brief visit to Leighton Moss top priority for the RSPB. Yorkshire; Portmore Lough, Co Antrim and the saltmarshes every second was and Leighton Moss, Lancashire. OUR NATURE RESERVES have worthwhile. I can’t wait to come back great value for many kinds of wildlife A £1.1 million programme of habitat in May. If you haven’t been yet – apart from birds: the rare and restoration and improvements for what are you waiting for?” spectacular swallowtail butterfly can visitors at the Loch of Strathbeg was Scott Petrek, RSPB member be found at Strumpshaw Fen and 90% funded by grants. Such financial Sutton Fen, in the Norfolk Broads, support is essential if we are to tackle “I visited Minsmere for the first time. for example. the large-scale work needed to help wildlife survive in a changing world. A The staff were fantastic, and the other nesting pair of cranes at Lakenheath birdwatchers were fabulous. I’m Fen, Suffolk, gave a thumbs up for our going again, and soon.” efforts there in previous years. Carole Saberton, RSPB member

18 Swallowtail by Roger Wilmshurst (rspb-images.com) 19 “Surveys on RSPB nature reserves are constantly discovering more rare and threatened plants and animals. ‘The more you look the more you find’ certainly applies here.”

Jane Sears, ecologist, RSPB reserves department

Not just birds Helping other wildlife

RSPB nature reserves are home to at flowering season of plants in the pea least 95% of the UK’s species of family, especially clovers, is important dragonfly, 76% of spiders, 60% of our for the survival of these long-tongued moths and 65% of our ground beetles. bumblebees and we have managed the Reserves have around 400 of the 1,149 area for this. wildlife species in need of urgent action, listed in the UK Biodiversity More than 60% of the 2,400 UK moths Action Plan. It would be possible to have been recorded at our reserves. Our damage the special conditions needed wide-ranging efforts to provide breeding by certain wild flowers, butterflies, habitat for bitterns have helped reed- reptiles, and less well known groups, dwelling moths including Fenn’s, flame while creating perfect places for birds. and white-mantled wainscots, We work hard to avoid this by specialities of our East Anglian coastal identifying the most important species reserves, and the reed dagger. Wet reed on our reserves and integrating their swamp is good for the twin-spotted needs with those of birds, through wainscot, but the reed leopard requires careful habitat management. reed cut on a long rotation, because its larva spends at least two years feeding The internationally endangered within reed stems. Our management southern damselfly benefits from our aims to provide a range from open Hazel coppicing by Mike Read (rspb-images.com) heathland conservation in Devon and water to wet reed and dry reed, to cater Dorset. Its decline reflects reduced for this range of needs. The very local grazing and the drainage of breeding marsh carpet moth was discovered in sites. Numbers were low at our 2002 at Lakenheath Fen (Suffolk) where HAZEL COPPICING has long Aylesbeare Common reserve, Devon, the caterpillars feed among seed-heads been out of fashion, but remains an from 1956 until 1990, when grazing of meadow-rue. invaluable management technique for opened up rank vegetation, resulting in creating the right conditions for a marked increase. Hazel coppicing for dormice at Garston wildlife as varied as dormice, Wood, Dorset, not only helps them, but butterflies and nightingales. At Dungeness, Kent, the oldest RSPB encourages wood spurge, the food-plant nature reserve, management is helping of the rare drab looper moth. A reserve GOOD MANAGEMENT for birds species such as the Jersey cudweed, in eastern England is one of very few usually results in good conditions for great crested newt, medicinal leech British sites for the olive crescent moth, other wildlife, too, but we must and some fascinating beetles. We are whose caterpillars feed on withered always be careful that actions for working closely with Natural England to leaves of sweet chestnut. We found that birds do not risk damaging other help re-establish an endangered plant, most larvae feed among dead branches wildlife interests. stinking hawksbeard. The reserve also at chest height, but in high forest rather has 11 of the 16 species of true than coppice, so we do our best to bumblebee in Britain, including three provide such conditions. threatened carder-bees. A long

20 Seven-spot ladybird by David Norton (rspb-images.com) 21 “Internationally, we were busier than ever. We’ve a long way to go to save vultures in Asia, and albatrosses in the southern oceans, but both projects made good progress.”

Alistair Gammell, Director of International Operations

A global reach Protecting birds and habitats worldwide

In Sumatra we (Burung Indonesia, under the Birds Directive. However, BirdLife International and the RSPB) massive investments for potentially now have a great team on the ground devastating tourism and wind farm to protect and manage Harapan Forest. developments along the Black Sea coast In Sierra Leone, the new government became the focus for intense action. In committed to making Gola Forest a Romania, the European Commission National Park. There is no better opened legal proceedings against the illustration of conservation’s need for government for failing to submit a list of tenacity: the RSPB and our partner in candidate Natura 2000 sites. When Sierra Leone set out to save Gola in initial designations eventually came, 109 the 1980s and we never gave up, out of 134 (81%) of the IBAs were despite long periods of war and unrest. proposed as SPAs, superficially good news: however, all but 38 were With your support, we expanded the significantly reduced in size. Albatross Task Force to 14 stalwarts in six countries, a heartening effort that is After 20 years’ work in Morocco, we essential to influence fishing vessel saw the critically endangered bald ibis owners and skippers to reduce the reach 106 pairs. Successful tracking of Harapan Rainforest, Sumatra by Marco Lambertini number of seabirds they kill. Our bald ibises from a minute population in (rspb-images.com) discovery that 12,000 albatrosses are Syria to wintering grounds in Ethiopia killed every year in the South African and back was an exciting development. trawl fishery led to the adoption of mandatory streamer lines, which SUMATRAN RAINFOREST is should reduce this by 75%. Albatross “Our hearts were in our mouths extraordinary: some of the very finest populations continue to decline wildlife habitat in the world. Harapan relentlessly on South Georgia (a UK because these fragile bald ibises set Rainforest has been damaged but is Overseas Territory for which our out to cross the Red Sea at its widest capable of restoration, given time, government has responsibility) despite point, between Sudan and Saudi money, and a lot of hard work. seabird-friendly fisheries around South Arabia, quite late in the morning and Georgia itself. were still far offshore when night fell. ALBATROSSES remain severely threatened by unacceptably damaging In December, the Bulgarian These birds have been surprising us fishing practices. With partners Government accepted all 114 IBAs from the outset but we are determined worldwide, we are helping fishermen proposed by BSPB (BirdLife in Bulgaria) to save them. The technology has to catch fish with more sensitive as Special Protection Areas (SPAs) worked superbly and the tags have methods that kill far fewer birds. under Natura 2000, an astonishing lasted far longer than we expected.” achievement for BSPB, only three months after a EC legal complaint against poor designation. A remarkable Jeremy Lindsell, 20% of Bulgaria will now be protected Research Biologist

22 Black-browed albatrosses by David Osborn (rspb-images.com) 23 “Threats to fantastic wildlife sites crop up all over the world.Our BirdLife International Partner organisations are impressive but some are new and still small. We do our best to support them and help them grow, and the shared experiences and backing of the whole partnership add strength where it’s needed.” Paul Buckley, Global Programmes Supporting our partners Working with BirdLife International

In 2007, the BirdLife International Malta remained in breach of the EU Partnership stopped developments that Birds Directive, but progress has been most people thought unstoppable. strong, primarily due to the EU’s “final Nature Uganda’s fight against a plan to written warning” followed by an order to destroy a large part of the Mabira Malta not to open the 2008 spring Forest for biofuel appears to have been hunting season. The first year without won. The proposed development of a sanctioned spring hunting is a milestone soda ash plant at Lake Natron in that illustrates the power of lobbying by northern Tanzania (the last regular BirdLife International partners, but was breeding ground for lesser flamingos in met by a worrying increase in East Africa) has been ”put on hold”. In intimidation and attacks on BirdLife Poland, construction of the most Malta property, staff and volunteers. destructive part of the Via Baltica expressway has been halted until the We scaled up our vulture breeding European Court of Justice considers programme in India, in a last-ditch effort the case, and the Polish authorities to stop three species going extinct, and may be considering alternative routes. thanks to these efforts, chicks were hatched for the first time. Until the We continued work to protect the veterinary drug, diclofenac, which is aquatic warbler, Europe’s rarest lethal to these vultures, is removed from Chris Bowden (RSPB) migratory songbird. An expedition, co- the environment, captive breeding is the organised by the RSPB, discovered the only viable way to save these birds, species’ wintering site in Senegal and which have undergone declines of more we helped our partner, OTOP–BirdLife than 99% in just 10 years. WE HAVE BUILT captive breeding Poland, to set up three new reserves centres for endangered vultures at in the Biebrza valley, the aquatic suitable sites in India and Pakistan. warbler’s most important breeding site “After seven hot and bumpy hours of Already, even though the captive birds in the EU. Landscape scale habitat poor roads and traffic jams, our are young and inexperienced, the first management is resulting in increased vulture convoy of two pickups and a chicks have been reared. numbers of aquatic warblers and other lorry pulled in to the Chitwan species such as black tailed godwits, LESSER FLAMINGOS in East National Park headquarters. Three redshanks and corncrakes. Africa have not bred anywhere except weeks after capturing them, we safely Lake Natron in Tanzania for more In Cyprus, we found an alarming rise in passed 14 chicks over to the staff at than 40 years, but their future remains illegal bird trapping compared with Nepal’s new vulture centre; huge threatened by industrial development previous years: bad news for migratory relief all round and about time for a proposals. birds. We put increased pressure on long cool drink.” the UK and Cyprus governments to crack down on this, backed up by a campaign led by BirdLife Cyprus Richard Cuthbert, against illegal trapping and killing. RSPB vulture programme scientist

24 Lesser flamingos by David Tipling (rspb-images.com) 25 “People will fight to protect things they care deeply about, often connected with experiences in childhood. Children are excited by nature: we aim to give children and adults genuine, meaningful and lasting experiences that create a deeper commitment to conservation.”

Andy Simpson, Head of Youth and Education

Inspiring people to care Enthusiasm into conservation

We managed to bring 1.8 million We sparked enthusiasm for wildlife in people closer to nature on our nature many ways. Each issue of Birds, our reserves and through projects such as members’ magazine, reached more than Homes for Wildlife, aimed at giving 2 million readers and more than 1.8 people advice on improving their million people enjoyed a day out on our homes and gardens for wildlife. nature reserves. Each year we wonder whether A steady stream of quality stories in the January’s Big Garden Birdwatch needs media plays a crucial part in building a boost: but we are always knocked support for the RSPB, among decision out by the response. Almost 400,000 makers and potential members. It is a people counted more than six million measure, too, of how much people are birds in 2008. listening to what we have to say. In 2007, we hit new heights. We generated Nothing beats seeing exciting birds and nearly 14,000 press cuttings, over 500 you can do just that at scores of Aren’t television interviews and nearly 1,200 birds brilliant! projects around the UK. radio interviews. We worked closely In 2007 we welcomed more than with the BBC on Saving Planet Earth 500,000 visitors and recruited 3,300 and Springwatch. Thanks to our country members. Peregrines at the Tate by Kate Smith and regional teams, we enjoyed a very Our fantastic volunteers continue to high profile right across the UK. bring a great range of skills and enthusiasm to the RSPB. They AREN’T BIRDS BRILLIANT! is completed 527 farm bird surveys “Around the river, the children are in more a statement of fact than a through the Volunteer & Farmer their element. If anyone dares build question, and hundreds of thousands Alliance scheme, making a total of on their playground when they grow of people agree after visiting sites 3,858 since the project began in 1999. up, I hope they will fight with a across the UK and seeing amazing birds for themselves. Many volunteers raise funds or recruit passion to save it, aware of what they members, and all of them give stand to lose. Their childhoods seem MORE THAN 500 schools joined generously of their time and expertise. all too brief; vital as the source of a the Bird Friendly Schools pilot Around 14,000 people, the equivalent river, as golden, as ephemeral, as a of 430 full-time staff, contributed more programme, linking volunteers to mayfly rising from the water.” schools, giving us the confidence to than 774,000 hours. widen the scope of this project and Nicola Chester, RSPB member, get children looking at birds and If you’re one of these wonderful Berkshire understanding more about their needs people, thank you. as part of their daily lives.

26 (Alamy) 27 “In Wales we have some of the most spectacular birds and breathtaking landscapes in the UK. RSPB members are vital in helping us to fund our work here and we enjoy more support than ever in Wales. RSPB membership passed 50,000 – a ringing endorsement of our commitment to the conservation of wild birds.”

Ellen Perry, Membership Development Officer Saving wildlife in Wales Enhancing the nation’s wildlife riches

There was good news from our nature We are working with partners on Wales reserves. Black grouse at Lake Vyrnwy Environment Link’s campaign for a new remained at a record high of 18 lekking Marine Bill. males and curlews increased from two to six breeding pairs. Two pairs of As part of the “Sustainable Farming and lapwings nested at one of our newest Environment: Action towards 2020” sites, Morfa Dinlle, managed especially group, we ensured that wildlife was for these birds. considered in a vision for Welsh agriculture and that targeted action for Nearby, work on an EU funded project farmland birds remains at the centre of for blanket bog continued, with an an ongoing review of agri-environment education programme for local schools. schemes. More than 2,000 Welsh Jane Hutt, the Minister for Children, members and supporters showed their Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, support through a postcard campaign to launched the Welsh Assembly the First Minister about these schemes. Government’s guidance for out-of- classroom learning, along with pupils Our wonderful new environmental from Goetre Infants School, Merthyr education and visitor centre opened at Tydfil. We helped put the guide Newport Wetlands, after many years of together as part of our Lifelong hard work, tireless support from funders Lake Vyrnwy by Ben Hall (rspb-images.com) Learning activities. and volunteers, and pioneering partnership working with the We helped protect wildlife in north Countryside Council for Wales and Wales with an objection to a dredging Newport City Council. AT LAKE VYRNWY black grouse application for the Port of Mostyn that are doing better than for many years could potentially damage protected Our nature reserve at Conwy was and curlew numbers show signs of sites within the Dee Estuary. With named as the Crown Estate’s Marine recovering. Neath Port Talbot County Borough Business Award winner for 2007: a Council, we negotiated a safe breeding prime example of an innovative and OSPREYS at Glaslyn returned for site for lapwings in south Wales that sustainable business that demonstrates the fourth year in a row and two more was threatened by development. environmental care. The £5,000 prize chicks fledged. More than 200,000 money was used to develop the visitors have now been thrilled by The political landscape changed with education programme at the reserve. seeing ospreys at this breathtaking the signing of the “One Wales” location in Snowdonia. agreement and a new coalition We were delighted when an RSPB Government. We represent Wales volunteer won the Wales Council for Environment Link on the Welsh Voluntary Action Wales Volunteer of the Assembly Government’s Climate Year award – more than 700 volunteers Change Commission, advising on in Wales is a fantastic testament to the climate change policy. support we enjoy.

28 Osprey by Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) 29 “Yma yng Nghymru mae rhai o’r adar mwyaf trawiadol a’r tirluniau mwyaf bendigedig yn y DU. Mae cymorth aelodau’r RSPB yn hanfodol o ran ariannu ein gwaith yma ac rydym yn derbyn mwy o gefnogaeth nag erioed yng Nghymru, gyda dros 50,000 o aelodau. Dyma gadarnhad o’n hymrwymiad i warchodaeth adar gwyllt.”

Ellen Perry, Swyddog Datblygu Aelodaeth

Gweithio yng Nghymru Gwella cyfoeth y genedl o ran bywyd gwyllt

Cafwyd newyddion da o’n Rydym yn gweithio gyda phartneriaid ar gwarchodfeydd natur. Cofnodwyd mwy ymgyrch Cyswllt Amgylchedd Cymru am nag erioed o rugieir duon yn Llyn Fesur Morol newydd i helpu i wella Efyrnwy gyda deunaw o geiliogod yn gwarchodaeth ar gyfer bywyd gwyllt arddangos eu hunain a chynyddodd y morol. nifer o ylfinirod sy’n nythu o ddau i chwe phâr. Nythodd dau bâr o Fel rhan o’r gr∑p “Ffermio ac gornchwiglod ar un o’n safleoedd Amgylchedd Cynaliadwy: Gweithredu ar newydd, Morfa Dinlle, sy’n cael ei gyfer 2020”, cafwyd cyfle i sicrhau bod reoli’n arbennig ar gyfer yr adar yma. bywyd gwyllt yn cael ei ystyried mewn gweledigaeth ar gyfer amaethyddiaeth Parhaodd y gwaith ar broject yr orgors a Cymru a bod gweithredu wedi ei ariennir gan yr UE, gyda rhaglen addysg dargedu ar ran adar ffermdir yn parhau i ar gyfer ysgolion lleol. Lansiwyd fod yn ganolog yn yr adolygiad parhaol o arweinlyfr Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru gynlluniau amaeth-amgylcheddol. ar gyfer dysgu y tu allan i’r dosbarth gan Dangosodd dros 2,000 o aelodau a Jane Hutt, y Gweinidog dros Blant, chefnogwyr Cymreig eu cefnogaeth Addysg, Dysgu a Medrau Gydol Oes, drwy’r ymgyrch cerdyn post at y ynghyd â disgyblion o Ysgol Fabanod Gweinidog Cyntaf am y cynlluniau hyn. Goetre, Merthyr Tudful. Bu’r RSPB yn Llyn Efernwy Ben Hall (rspb-images.com) cynorthwyo gyda llunio’r arweinlyfr hwn Agorwyd ein canolfan addysg fel rhan o’n gweithgareddau Dysgu amgylcheddol ac ymwelwyr newydd Gydol Oes. bendigedig ar Wlyptiroedd Casnewydd wedi blynyddoedd o waith dygn, YN LLYN EFYRNWY mae’r rugiar Cawsom gyfle i helpu i warchod bywyd cefnogaeth ddiflino gan noddwyr a ddu yn parhau i ffynnu a gwelwyd gwyllt Gogledd Cymru gyda gwirfoddolwyr, a chydweithio mentrus adferiad yn y nifer o ylfinirod. gwrthwynebiad i gais am garthu mewn partneriaeth gyda CCGC a Porthladd Mostyn a fyddai’n peri Chyngor Dinas Casnewydd. Dychwelodd GWEILCH Y bygythiad i safleoedd gwarchodedig o PYSGOD y Glaslyn am y bedwaredd fewn Aber Dyfrdwy. Ynghyd â Chyngor Cyhoeddwyd mai ein gwarchodfa natur flwyddyn yn olynol a llwyddodd dau Bwrdeistref Nedd Port Talbot, yng Nghonwy oedd enillydd Gwobr gyw arall i adael y nyth. Bellach mae cytunwyd ar safle nythu diogel ar gyfer Busnes Morol Stad y Goron 2007: dros 200,000 o ymwelwyr wedi y gornchwiglen yn ne Cymru a oedd enghraifft arbennig o fusnes mentrus a mwynhau gweld y gweilch y pysgod dan fygythiad oherwydd datblygiadau. chynaliadwy sy’n arddangos gofal yn y lleoliad hyfryd hwn yn Eryri. amgylcheddol. Defnyddiwyd y wobr o Newidiodd y tirlun gwleidyddol wrth £5,000 i ddatblygu rhaglen addysg y arwyddo’r cytundeb “Un Gymru” a warchodfa. chreu Llywodraeth glymblaid newydd. Rydym yn cynrychioli Cyswllt Roeddem yn falch iawn o glywed mai Amgylchedd Cymru ar Gomisiwn gwirfoddolwr gyda’r RSPB a enillodd Newid Hinsawdd Llywodraeth Cynulliad wobr Gwirfoddolwr y Flwyddyn CGGC Cymru, gan gynghori ar bolisi newid Cymru – cynyddodd y nifer o 3031 Steve Round (rspb-images.com) hinsawdd. wirfoddolwyr i dros 700, sy’n brawf o’r 31 gefnogaeth anhygoel yma yng Nghymru. “Restoration of devolution in May 2007 brought great opportunities for the RSPB in Northern Ireland. We worked closely with the new Assembly, Executive and Committees to influence priority issues for the RSPB and to keep environmental matters at the top of the government agenda.”

Aidan Lonergan, RSPB Director, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Saving Northern Ireland’s wildlife heritage

With colleagues in BirdWatch Ireland, The previous Minister for the we assessed the status of all bird Environment in Northern Ireland, Arlene Conservation Concern in Ireland 2008- species in Ireland in The Birds of Foster MLA, said her four key priorities 2013 were tackling climate change, halting . Happily, both the roseate tern biodiversity loss, managing waste and and the hen harrier came off the Red improving water management. list of endangered birds, following years of declines. Following pressure from nine environmental organisations, including Other species did not fare so well. The the RSPB, the Government published golden plover and redshank joined Foundations for the Future: The Review curlew and lapwing on the Red list. of Environmental Governance. An Wintering waterfowl and breeding excellent examination of the problems seabirds declined alarmingly. Shoveler, facing environmental governance in pintail, herring gull and black-headed Northern Ireland, it presents clear gull all joined the Red list but the recommendations for improvement. greatest disappointment was the extinction of the corn bunting since the Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) first analysis in 1999. Many other “Rathlin Island is a shining star farmland birds are struggling. among our reserves. A pair of choughs reared three healthy We completed work to restore blanket fledglings, the first successful nesting bog as part of a project to create the in Northern Ireland for three years WET GRASSLAND is an old- largest continuous block of this scarce and the first on Rathlin since 1989. fashioned kind of habitat, easily and fabulous habitat – it sounds dull removed from the countryside by but it is really important stuff – in the And the improved Seabird Centre drainage and intensification of north west of Ireland. gives the most spectacular view of a farming. Its value to wildlife can seabird colony you’ll ever see in the hardly be overstated and we do all we At Portmore Lough nature reserve we UK – almost 14,000 people came over can to restore it. restored fen marsh and wet grassland last summer and were overwhelmed – also the biggest project of this kind in by the experience.” REDSHANKS sadly joined the Northern Ireland to date – with help list of endangered birds in Northern from Polish ponies brought in from the Ireland, one of several species that Netherlands, which happily chomp their Liam McFaul, rely on wet places to survive. way through very wet vegetation. Rathlin Island Warden

32 Redshank by Nigel Blake (rspb-images.com) 33 “The past year has been a clear demonstration of why our work in Scotland is so crucial – and why we must be resolute in our actions. Birds and the places where they live are under constant threat, as the shocking picture of a poisoned golden eagle found in the Scottish Borders reminds us. We are doing much to protect all birds and other wildlife but it is often in the face of enormous pressure for development on our wild places.“ Stuart Housden, RSPB Director, Scotland

The RSPB in Scotland Great birds, great places

The fight to protect the peatlands of of Strathbeg reserve in Aberdeenshire – Lewis against poorly-sited wind farms which was 90% funded from grant is described earlier in this review. The giving bodies including the HLF. The decision to refuse the application for habitat work has been an immediate massive wind farms across protected success with waders and nesting terns. areas of high wildlife importance was entirely right. We continue to promote We concluded two Area Partnership renewable energy in Scotland, but we Framework Agreements with Scottish believe that targets can and must be Natural Heritage (SNH) covering Tayside met without wrecking the very wildlife & Fife, and Vane Farm. Elsewhere, Area that such innovative developments are Framework Grant funding from SNH supposed to protect. increased significantly: an extremely welcome development in our New Special Protection Areas (SPAs) partnership with SNH, making a big for hen harriers (Renfrewshire Heights) difference to the work we can do, for and for choughs and corncrakes which we are very grateful. (Colonsay and Oronsay) were created by the Scottish Government, using Our corncrake programme in Orkney data gathered by our conservation staff resulted in the return of birds to our and local volunteers. We warmly Onziebust reserve on Egilsay and to Ancient pine forest by Steve Knell (rspb-images.com) welcomed these, the first SPAs keeping numbers stable, at seven created by the new administration. males, on Papa Westray, where we also have a reserve. We acquired Broubster Leans and OLD SCOTS PINE FOREST is one Dunnet Head as new nature reserves Our two biggest nature reserves, of the richest habitats in mainland in north Scotland and acquired a Abernethy and Forsinard, were both Scotland and home to the only bird substantial extension to the Rendall awarded National Nature Reserve status species unique to Britain, the Scottish Flows on Orkney. Broubster Leans was by SNH, an accolade which reflects crossbill. Our Abernethy reserve, now a long haul, taking nearly 11 years of positively on our management, and the a National Nature Reserve, has negotiations. Plans are underway to excellence of the reserves. extensive tracts of brilliant forest. start restoring wetland habitat in partnership with local farmers. Funding from HLF for a joint project MANY PARTS OF THE Scottish with the local authority at Baron’s uplands are managed to benefit red The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Nadair Haugh reserve in Lanarkshire has grouse. These areas can be good for funded agreements in the Argyll allowed us to upgrade visitor facilities, other birds too, as our research has islands, for choughs and corncrakes, employ a community ranger and restore shown. Sadly, though, some moorland have been converted to reserve the wetland. This has resulted in much managers are still turning a blind eye agreements with longer term benefits. reduced anti-social behaviour at the site to the illegal killing of birds of prey We successfully completed a £1.1 and is the first step in a three phase such as hen harriers. million programme of restoration and project to enhance the reserve for visitor improvement works at our Loch wildlife, visitors and the community.

34 Red grouse by Mark Hamblin (rspb-images.com) 35 The second EU Life peatlands project programme. Strong links are being built was completed on time and accepted with local schools and community with much complimentary comment by groups. Fifteen white-tailed eagles were the European Commission. More than released in the east of Scotland. 14,000 ha of land in the Caithness and Supplied by the Norwegian authorities, Sutherland flows benefited, and 8,000 these birds excited great interest from dams were constructed over 12,000 ha Berwick-upon-Tweed to the Loch of of land to help restore the peat and Strathbeg all the way up the east coast. secure this important store of carbon. North-East Raptorwatch, involving the In the Western Isles, corn buntings Police, SNH, Cairngorms National Park increased modestly in numbers. This and the RSPB in Scotland expanded to isolated population is vulnerable to the cover 20 estates in rural Aberdeenshire. abandonment of cropping and the use of crops for silage, and has steadily Our work to involve and enthuse the declined, so any improvement is a public in birds and wildlife continued to cause for celebration. increase, with a particular success in the heart of Glasgow, where a field Two new management agreements for teaching project was launched at corncrakes and choughs on Colonsay KelvingroveWildlife Museum in October. In were established and a further 250 ha Edinburgh, we established a Homes for of land secured for choughs through an project. With the Royal Botanic extension to the Oa reserve on Islay. Gardens and the City Council, amongst others, we began a roadshow of events A project was established to link native round Scotland’s capital city to bring our woods in the Loch Katrine/Inversnaid ideas to new people. areas, funded largely by BP through the Famous Grouse Scottish Forest Alliance (BP, Forestry We secured a great deal with The Commission, Woodland Trust and the in which the company RSPB). This Great Trossachs Forest has launched a new premium whisky, Project, covering 14,000 ha in the heart Black Grouse: 50p a bottle is to be of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs donated to our work for the species. National Park, is one of the UK’s largest habitat enhancement schemes. All of this extensive programme of work would not be possible without the We received excellent profile for our support of our growing membership in work on Islay when BBC Springwatch Scotland and encouragement from our featured our work on and off reserves. many partner organisations and Funding allowed us to employ an sponsors. We are extremely grateful for information officer on Islay, boosting our this, and remain optimistic that together profile with visitors and increasing we can make a difference for Scotland’s membership recruitment on Islay to wildlife, and help local economies around five times previous levels. benefit from sustainable development that protects this wonderful resource. rspb-images.com The RSPB was represented in the reference group advising the Scottish Government on its new National “After two months of feeding and Planning Framework. Now issued for watching them develop it was time ONE OF THE single pair of golden consultation, it contains strong and eagles in the Scottish Borders was positive references to biodiversity, for the release. I was terrified. Would illegally poisoned in 2007: fortunately, a important habitats and site protection. they be ready? What if they just fell new bird has since appeared and a chick on the ground? What if they didn’t was reared in 2008. Illegal killing of our birds of prey has go at all? The first bird looked me been one of the most heartbreaking straight in the eye as I lowered the GUILLEMOTS AND PUFFINS are areas of work. Indeed, 2007 was the hatch. I had to duck as he flapped not the only Scottish seabirds that are worst year for red kite poisoning since feeling the pinch: as sea temperatures reintroductions began in Scotland in past my head and just had time to see rise, so some of our most magnificent 1989: 12 birds were illegally poisoned. A him clear the spruce thicket and seabird colonies have begun to decline golden eagle was poisoned in the pause as he tried to glide – or was he after years of reduced breeding success. Scottish Borders; a reintroduced white- just losing his nerve? Then he was In Orkney, some arctic tern and kittiwake tailed eagle is suspected to have been up and away, the first sea eagle flying colonies are empty in the summer as the shot in the Angus Glens and another birds simply give up and leave. was found poisoned in this area. free over Fife for a very long time.”

Thirty red kites were released near Claire Smith Aberdeen, beginning a five-year East Scotland Sea Eagle Officer

36 Puffin and guillemot by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) 37 “Was 2007 the beginning of a pivotal period for RSPB finances? It feels like it. In particular, changes to the way we recruit new members brought encouraging progress.”

Alan Sharpe, Finance Director

Money matters The RSPB’s financial year

Recruiting members has long been a analysis, recording, mapping and key activity for the RSPB. With paper- communication facilities. based recruitment methods no longer working as well as they did, our focus Returning to the income side of the has had to shift towards face-to-face story, all eyes have been on member opportunities. In spite of our recruitment and how it responded to the investment in this area, we were able changing methods. We recruited more to continue our conservation members face-to-face than ever before programme with an increase of 4% in and with more than 80,000 recruited in charitable revenue expenditure. A total, we achieved our highest level for further £3.8 million was spent on 10 years. Almost inevitably, recruitment buying land, less than the record levels costs rose as we fine-tuned new in the previous couple of years but methods. However, this represents a sufficient to enable us to acquire such sound investment in our future and we gems as extensions to the Nene and are confident that these channels will Ouse Washes and a holding on the become at least as cost effective as Dee estuary, and new reserves at those they replace. Broubster Leans and Dunnet Head in Ouse Washes by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Caithness and Lydden Valley in Kent. Recruitment is only part of the story (albeit a large and important part). Not Much of our annual income is spent on for the first time, legacy income activities of a recurring nature, such as exceeded expectations making a huge land management, research and £27 million contribution to our work – THE OUSE WASHES remain of monitoring. High levels of grant and particularly to the project work huge value for wintering wildfowl, legacy income enabled us to also mentioned above. Indeed, most of our but increased summer flooding, progress a wide range of work of a funding streams showed growth, but outside our control, means few birds project nature. The list is long but we single out just three others for nest successfully on the meadows. We visitor facilities feature strongly (for specific mention here. have established new areas alongside, example at Newport Wetlands, Gwent, beyond the reach of the floodwater. and the Teesside International Nature Lotteries: after several years of little or Reserve at Saltholme) as does our no growth, members and supporters SIGNING UP MEMBERS does international work, notably in the responded fantastically to a slightly new not just expand the RSPB’s financial rainforests of Indonesia and Sierra approach to our quarterly raffles and this support. We have, for the last 10 years, Leone. led to income growth of 38%. had more than a million members, giving nature a voice. Increasing this Some project expenditure appears Trading: it is only a little over two years passionate support for the protection more mundane, such as upgrading our since we grasped the bull by the horns of wildlife and wild places is vital to computer facilities – but our and took our trading operation in-house. our conservation work. conservation work would be severely To have now reached £13 million hampered without access to modern turnover, contributing around £1 million

38 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) 39 to conservation, is very satisfying. whilst investing in the changes to year could have meant a reduction in “We recruited more members Thanks to everyone who supported us. member recruitment methods the value of Gift Aid benefit, costing the face-to-face than ever before and mentioned above. The balance held in RSPB alone some £650,000 each year. Stick pins: it is amazing how something reserves is therefore currently at the Charities breathed a collective sigh of with more than 80,000 recruited so small as a pin badge can do so much lower end of their target range. relief when the Chancellor announced in total, we achieved our highest for conservation. Additions to the range in March that the Treasury would make level for 10 years.” helped boost the contribution in the Last year’s significant increase in good the loss – if only for three years. year to £700,000 – a total of £2.4 income gave rise to a modest surplus Gerda Flumm, community marketing million since RSPB pin badges were and hence an increase in financial Whether 2007 proves to be a pivotal first introduced. reserves. On the strength of this, we year or not, it is great to be able to hope to be able to complete the report encouraging progress on a wide So, drawing all the threads together, we programme of investment in member range of fronts. If you are one of the see a £3 million surplus that could be recruitment without interruption to our many who joined during the past year, added to financial reserves. mainstream conservation work and you are very welcome and we hope whilst maintaining financial reserves at that you too come to regard 2007 as a We aim to keep financial reserves at the an acceptable level. pivotal year! To everybody else, thank lowest level possible – free financial you for your support over the years and reserves typically represent around Finally, some good news came from a should you feel moved to recommend three months’ expenditure. In recent surprising source – the tax man! Whilst membership to friends or family, we years we have chosen to draw upon a reduction in the basic rate of income (and hopefully they) would be most those reserves to help us to maintain tax is generally received favourably, for appreciative. momentum on our conservation work, charities, the change announced last

Main income Charitable streams 2008 5% expenditure 5% 18% 25% Research, policy work, giving Support from individuals, 18% 33% through membership and their advice to landowners and generous legacies, remains managing our nature reserves vital to the RSPB. for wildlife add up to the great 25% majority of our expenditure.

32% 39%

Conservation - policy and advisory services Land acquisitions

Membership Grants, commercial donations Membership services and trusts Conservation on RSPB nature reserves and enquiries Legacies Other Education, publications and films

40 41 Summary Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities Application of net funds year ended 31 March 2008 Year ended 31 March 2008 2008 2007 £’000 £’000 2008 2007 Net movement in funds brought forward 6,144 22,247 £’000 £’000 SE OF NET INCOMING RESOURCES INCOMING RESOURCES CHARITABLE CAPITAL EXPENDITURE VOLUNTARY INCOME Nature reserves 7,348 14,838 Membership subscriptions 26,304 25,278 Other tangible assets (465) (169) Legacies 26,948 24,076 Movement on stock, debtors & creditors (2,200) 2,605 Grants, commercial donations & trusts 21,698 24,103 Movement on pension scheme (1,535) 10,371 General donations & reserve entry fees 3,237 3,499 Sub total 3,148 27,645 Appeals 3,943 3,234 Local groups 319 321 Movement in cash & investments available for future 2,996 (5,398) 82,449 80,511 Cash & investments available at start of period 16,178 21,576 Total cash & investments available for future activities 19,174 16,178 ACTIVITIES TO GENERATE FUNDS Financial Mail order & shop income 13,029 11,588 Media advertising & inserts 1,243 1,283 Lotteries 1,245 900 Activities Commercial sponsorship 603 636 Statement of net assets at 31 March 2008 16,120 14,407

Year ended INVESTMENT INCOME & INTEREST 918 798 CASH & INVESTMENTS AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE ACTIVITIES General purposes 7,159 4,309 31 March 2008 Designated 6,729 6,584 ACTIVITIES TO FURTHER THE CHARITY’S OBJECTS Restricted 3,191 2,911 Land & farming income 1,608 1,671 Endowment 2,095 2,374 Fees & grants for services 1,520 1,290 Total cash & Investments available for future activities 19,174 16,178 Events & media sales 676 679 3,804 3,640 Nature reserves 100,302 92,954 Other tangible assets 4,130 4,595 OTHER INCOME Stock, debtors & creditors 4,435 6,635 Net gains on disposals of fixed assets 613 332 Net assets excluding pension liability 128,041 120,362 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 103,904 99,688 Pension liability (10,964) (9,429)

RESOURCES EXPENDED Net assets 117,077 110,933

COST OF GENERATING FUNDS Costs of generating voluntary income 10,047 8,539 Costs of goods & activities to generate funds 13,535 12,490 AUDITORS’ STATEMENT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE RSPB Investment management costs 33 63 We have examined the summary financial statements Basis of opinion charities 23,615 21,092 which comprise the summary consolidated statement We conducted our work having regard to Bulletin of financial activities, application of net funds and 1999/6 The auditors’ statement on the summary financial statement statement of net assets. and Practice Note 11 The audit of Net resources available for charitable purposes 80,289 78,596 issued by the Auditing Practices Board for Thisby charities: report is amade statement solely of to recommended the Charity’s trustees, practice as use in the United Kingdom. Our report on the charity’s a2005 body, in accordance with Accounting and reporting full financial statements describes the basis of our NUE EXPENDITURE audit opinion on those financial statements. CHARITABLE REVENUE EXPENDITURE . Our work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Charity’s trustees those matters we are Opinion required to state to them in an auditors’ report and In our opinion, the summary financial statements are Conservation on RSPB nature reserves 24,120 23,740 for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted consistent with the full financial statements and the Conservation – research, policy & advisory services 29,014 28,037 by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to Trustees’ Annual Report of the RSPB for the year anyone other than the Charity and the Charity’s ended 31 March 2008. Education, publications & films 12,959 11,687 trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, Deloitte & Touche LLP Membership services & enquiries 3,893 3,705 or for the opinions we have formed. Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors 2 New Street Square, London EC4A 3BZ Respective responsibilities of trustees and auditors Total charitable revenue expenditure 69,986 67,169 The trustees are responsible for preparing the 1 July 2008 summarycharities: financiala statement statements of recommended in accordance practice with the recommendations of Accounting and reporting by THE FULL AUDITED ACCOUNTS were approved on GOVERNANCE COSTS 422 398 . 1 July 2008 and, together with the Annual Report, have Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on been submitted to the Charity Commission. The Signed on behalf of the Council: Net incoming resources before (losses)/gains 9,881 11,029 the consistency of the summary financial statements opinion of the auditor was unqualified. These with the full financial statements and Trustees’ summarised accounts may not contain sufficient Annual Report. information to allow for a full understanding of the (Loss)/gain on investment assets (1,119) 1,215 financial affairs of the charity. For further information Actuarial (loss)/gain on pension scheme (2,618) 10,003 We also read the other information contained in the the full accounts, the auditors’ report on those summarised annual report as described in the accounts and the Trustees’ Annual Report should be contents section and consider the implications for our consulted. Copies can be obtained, free of charge, from 42 Net movement in funds 6,144 22,247 report if we become aware of any apparent the Director of Finance, The RSPB, UK Headquarters, misstatements or material inconsistencies with the The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL. Ian Newton, Chairman, 1 July 2008 summary financial statements. The Robertson Trust Oxfordshire Fund Fundraising Initiatives Ltd Acknowledgments 2007–2008 Helen Roll Charity Ulster Wildlife Trust Landfill Garden Bird Supplies Royal Navy Birdwatching Society Communities Fund Goldman Sachs Rufford Small Grants for Nature Veolia Environmental Trust Greene King plc Thank you for supporting us Conservation Veolia ES Cleanaway Havering Hanson Aggregates Ltd Members time to participate in the RSPB’s Big A J H Ashby Will Trust The Shears Foundation Riverside Trust Haskins Garden Centres Garden Birdwatch. Mrs Edith May Austin Discretionary Teesside Environmental Trust Veolia ES Cleanaway Mardyke Trust Highway Garden & Leisure The support and loyalty of our Trust The Tubney Charitable Trust Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Homebase members is critical to the success Legacies BBC Wildlife Fund US National Marine Fisheries Trust The Independent Newspaper and achievements of the RSPB. BirdLife International The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Viridor Credits Jarrold Calendars Meeting the rigorous conservation Once again, we are deeply impressed The Lilian Browse Charitable Trust The Wildlife Trusts Viridor Credits via Suffolk Jordans targets that we set would not be by the generosity of people who The Geoffrey Burton Charitable Trust Mrs Mollie Willis Will Trust Environmental Trust Lisnaskea Community Enterprises Ltd possible without the enormous remember the RSPB in their wills. Cemlyn-Jones Trust WWF Waste Recycling Group Ltd (WRG) Lochcarron of Scotland contributions that members make. This income makes a tremendous City Bridge Trust John Young Charitable Settlement through GrantScape’s Biodiversity Lush Retail Ltd Members help in many ways, all of difference to the amount of Conservation International – Global Challenge Fund Nikon them equally important: financially, conservation work the RSPB is able Landfill Communities Fund Conservation Fund Waste Recycling Group Ltd (WRG) Northumbrian Water through volunteering, by supporting to undertake. Our posthumous through Waste Recycling Notcutts Garden Centres Ernest Cook Trust We are grateful for funding support RSPB campaigns through letter thanks go to each and every one. We Environmental Ltd (WREN) Pets at Home Helen Jean Cope Trust from the following organisations writing and by helping to deliver would like to recognise them all by The Puppet Company The Estate of Ella de Gray Jones through the Landfill Communities RSPB projects on the ground through name, but this is not possible. Business Supporters and Trading RBS Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund Fund: local groups. However, there are a few people that Partners Esmée Fairbairn Foundation Redeem plc we would like to mention: Ettys Trust The RSPB enjoys successful RWE Thames Water plc Community Groups Aberdeen Countryside Project Doris Field Charitable Trust partnerships with business Sabic Petrochemicals Ltd Jean Batten Aberdeenshire Council RSPB local groups, RSPB Wildlife Friends of Strathbeg supporters to our mutual benefit. We Sainsbury’s Mair Huberta Bonnell Bonnell-Lewis Augean Landfill Explorer groups and RSPB Phoenix The Gannochy Trust would particularly like to acknowledge Scottish and Southern Energy plc Sidney George Cox Belfast City Council groups worked unstintingly over the The Garfield Weston Foundation the following: Sembcorp Utilities plc Anne Caroline Davies Better Belfast Landfill Communities year. Local groups provide a great Gatwick Airport Community Trust Severn Trent Water plc Clara Maria Kahn Fund focus for us in local communities, The Helen and Horace Gillman Trusts A&C Black (Publishers) Ltd Southern Water Ernest Albert Lodge Biffaward involve many people in our work and Douglas Glanfield Memorial Trust ADAS Support Direct Ltd Frank Anthony Moss Brett Environment Trust raised over £309,000 for RSPB Glasgow Natural History Society Alton Garden Centre Suttons Consumer Products Ltd John Paul Penney CEMEX Community Fund conservation projects. Wildlife The A B Grace Charitable Trust ATH Resources Swarovski Optik KG Dorothy Mary Phillips Cory Environmental Trust in Britain Explorers (our young members) The Greenham Common Trust Aylett Nurseries Ltd Talisman Energy Selwyn Roberts County Durham Environment Trust raised more than £47,000 to help The Ernest Kleinwort Foundation Bemrose Promotional Products Tesco Stores Ltd Frank Taylor Ltd Save the Albatross. The Kulika Charitable Trust 1981 Bents Garden Centre Turcan Connell George William Cresswell Turner and Cumbria Waste Management The Lacey Foundation The Blue Diamond Group United Utilities Joyce Mary Pemberton (formerly Environment Trust On behalf of RSPB local groups and The Rufford Maurice Laing Boehringer Ingelheim The Van Hage Garden Company Turner) Down District Council Wildlife Explorer groups throughout Viking Optical Ltd rspb-images.com Foundation Essex Environmental Trust BP through the Scottish Forest Anita Agnes Unsworth Walkers Snacks Ltd the UK, we would like to thank The Audrey Emma Lamb Charitable Gloucestershire Environmental Trust Alliance Webbs of Wychbold Awards for All (supported by the Trust GrantScape British Airways Assisting Heritage Lottery Fund Welsh Power “good cause” Lottery distributors Miss W E Lawrence 1973 Charitable Green Leeds Limited Conservation Scheme Wessex Water across the UK) for their continued The Heritage Lottery Fund has Settlement Hanson Environment Fund Burston Garden Centre WHSmith support of local projects through their provided essential support for RSPB A G Leventis Foundation The Highland Council The Caravan Club Wild Republic (UK) Ltd community grants scheme. projects to restore and secure natural The Michael Marks Charitable Trust Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust CEMEX Poland Woodmansterne Publications Ltd heritage for current and future The Millennium Stadium Charitable LaFarge Aggregates Ltd Chevron Volunteers Zeon Ltd generations to enjoy. The RSPB is Trust Lancashire Environmental Fund Clive Mattock Fundraising Ltd The RSPB enjoyed the support of indebted to HLF for its continued The National Trust Mersey Waste Holdings Ltd Concept Research Ltd Support from statutory sector and support for our work. The Nature Trust (Sandy) Newport City Council Landfill The Co-operative Bank plc over 14,000 volunteers last year, other public bodies giving the RSPB a gift of time of Miss Norah Loughton North (deceased) Communities Fund Co-operative Retail Charitable trusts, non- 774,000 hours. This is equivalent to Northern Rock Foundation Newry & Mourne District Council Creagh Concrete We are grateful for co-operation and governmental organisations and an extra 430 full-time staff working North of England Zoological Society Perth & Kinross Quality of Life Trust Creative Approach Marketing support from organisations of many individual donors for nature conservation. These The Orr Mackintosh Foundation Premier Waste Management D J Squire & Co, Ltd kinds, and would especially like to volunteers helped with virtually every We are grateful for the support Michael Otto Stiftung RWEnpower Dorling Kindersley Ltd thank the following: aspect of the RSPB’s work, and we received and would particularly like to David and Lucile Packard Foundation SITA Trust European Bank for Reconstruction cannot thank them enough for their acknowledge the following: Paignton Zoo Environmental Park Solway Heritage and Development (EBRD) Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty generous support. Additionally, The Jack Patston Charitable Trust Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment The Famous Grouse (AONB) (Environmental 395,000 people gave an hour of their H B Allen Charitable Trust Restore UK with funds from Viridor Credits’ Fulham Heating Merchants Ltd Development Fund) for Anglesey

44 rspb-images.com 45 BIG Lottery Fund Environment & Heritage Service Mid Bedfordshire District Council Biodiversity Action Grant Scheme Environment Wales National Assembly for Wales jointly supported by the Scottish European Commission – DG National Parks & Wildlife Service Executive and Scottish Natural Environment Direct Grant Natural England Heritage European Commission – DG Natural England – Countdown 2010 Bonn Convention for Migratory Research Biodiversity Action Fund Species (CMS) European Commission – European Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Looking Broxbourne Borough Council Development Fund managed by the Great Yarmouth Cairngorms National Park Authority European Commission – Tropical Local Strategic Partnership Cherwell District Council Forests and Other Forests in New Forest National Park Authority Communities and Local Government Developing Countries budget line Sustainable Development Fund ahead (CLG) European Commission – LIFE-Nature North East Lincolnshire Council CLG via Cambridgeshire County European LEADER+ Fund (delivered Northern Ireland Tourist Board Council by the Mid Kent partnership) North Pennines AONB Partnership CLG via Gravesham Borough Council European LEADER+ Fund (delivered North Pennines LEADER+ The work you’ve been reading about is only possible thanks to and Kent Thameside Delivery Board by the WARR partnership) Programme Community Environmental Renewal European Regional Development Northwest Regional Development your support. Scheme managed by Forward Fund (ERDF) Agency Scotland on behalf of the Scottish ERDF through the Eastern Scotland Orkney Islands Council Executive European Partnership Rail Link Countryside Initiative Every year the challenges are greater, as is the cost of meeting Countryside Council for Wales EU Objective 1 programme through River Nene Regional Park through the The Crown Estate through the Marine the Welsh Assembly Government Green Infrastructure grant scheme them. Saving nature’s most threatened wildlife and special Stewardship Fund (European Agriculture Guidance and Scottish Environmental Protection places is an expensive business. The cost of failing to do so – Department for Environment, Food Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)) Agency and Rural Affairs (Defra) EU Objective 2 programme through Scottish Executive especially for the generations that follow us – is far greater. Defra through the Aggregates Levy the Welsh Assembly Government Scottish Government Rural Payments Sustainability Fund, administered (WEFO) and Inspections Directorate by ACRE (through the COMMA Foreign & Commonwealth Office / Scottish Government Science You can help ensure that we don’t fail future generations by Fund) DfID – Overseas Territories Engagement Grants Scheme Defra through the Aggregates Levy Environment Programme Scottish Natural Heritage making a donation. Or, if you are not already a member, please Sustainability Fund, administered Forestry Commission England South Downs Joint Committee by the Minerals Industry Research Forestry Commission Scotland Sustainable Development Fund add your voice by joining us from just £3 a month. Organisation (MIRO) Forestry Commission Wales South East England Development Defra through the Aggregates Levy French Government’s Fonds Français Agency (SEEDA) Sustainability Fund, administered pour l’Environnement Mondiale Staffordshire County Council by Natural England (FFEM) Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Defra – Darwin Initiative Gateshead Council Suffolk County Council Call us now on 01767 680551. Thank you. rspb-images.com Defra – Partnership for Environment German Government’s Centrum für Suffolk Development Agency Cooperation in Europe Fund Internationale Migration und Surrey Hills AONB Sustainable Department for International Entwicklung Development Fund Development (DfID) – Civil Society Global Environment Facility Tees Valley Partnership Challenge Fund Government Office for the North East Thurrock Thames Gateway Department of Agriculture and Rural Heritage Lottery Fund Development Corporation Development High Weald AONB Sustainable The Welsh Assembly Government Dumfries and Galloway LEADER+ Development Fund The Welsh Assembly Government East of England Development Agency Isle of Anglesey County Council Department of Economy and East of England Regional Assembly Lancashire County Council Transport East Herts Council LEADER+ in the East Riding of The Welsh Assembly Government Nature is amazing – East Midlands Development Agency Yorkshire through the Department of Enfys Grant Scheme funded by the LEADER+ in the Somerset Levels Economy and Transport (Visit help us keep it that way. BIG Lottery Fund, administered by and Moors Wales) the Wales Council for Voluntary Local Regeneration Fund through The Welsh Assembly Government Action (WCVA) Newport City Council through the Department of Rural English Heritage Lomond and Rural Stirling LEADER+ Affairs Environment Agency London Thames Gateway Environment Agency Wales Development Corporation

46