RSPB RESERVES 2007

RSPB RESERVES 2007 Black Park Ramna Stacks & Gruney RSPB RESERVES 2007 Lumbister

Mousa Loch of Spiggie

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

Loch na Muilne Blar Nam Faoileag Forsinard Flows

Priest Island Troup Head Edderton Sands Nigg and Udale Bays Balranald Culbin Sands Fairy Glen Drimore Farm Eileanan Dubha Ballinglaggan Abernethy Marshes

Fowlsheugh Loch of Kinnordy The Reef

Skinflats Balnahard Vane Farm Oronsay Inner Clyde Fannyside Smaull Farm Inchmickery /Ardnave Baron’s Haugh Horse Island Aird’s Moss Rathlin Lough Foyle Ken-Dee Marshes Kirkconnell Merse Wood of Cree Campfield Marsh Larne Lough Islands Mersehead Geltsdale Lough Lower Lough Erne Islands & Scar Rocks Haweswater St Bees Head Aghatirourke Strangford Bay & Sandy Island Hodbarrow Lough Head 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 Dearne Valley – Old Moor and Bolton Ings South Stack Cliffs Conwy Dee Estuary EA/RSPB Beckingham Project Malltraeth Marsh Morfa Dinlle Coombes & Churnet Valleys 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 Lakenheath Fen Ouse Fen (Hanson-RSPB project) Dingle Marshes Carngafallt Fen Drayton Snape North Warren Gwenffrwd/Dinas The Lodge Fowlmere & Boyton Marshes Wolves & Ramsey Woods Stour Estuary Ramsey Island HighnamWoods Old Hall Marshes Grassholm Otmoor Cwm Clydach Nagshead Rye Meads Vange Marshes Church Wood Cliffe Pools West Canvey Marshes Winterbourne Downs Rainham Marshes Northward Hill Nor Marsh & Motney Hill Normanton Down Shorne Marshes Elmley Marshes 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 2007 A review of our work

COMPILED BY JO GILBERT

Contents

Introduction: nature reserves in a modern world 5

Reserves and wildlife – a review of 2006 7 Condition of RSPB-managed SSSIs/ASSIs 8 Progress towards species targets 9 Habitat enhancement 13 Other wildlife 15 Land acquisition 15

Protecting threatened birds 17 Developing a network of reedbeds for bitterns 18 Grouse at Lake Vyrnwy 22 Capercaillie at Abernethy 24

Restoring lost habitats 29 Wetlands for at Ynys-hir 30 creation at Bolton Ings 32 Blanket bog restoration at Forsinard Flows 34 Heathland re-creation at Farnham 36 Demonstrating regulated tidal exchange at the Exe Estuary 40

Beyond birds – improving conditions for biodiversity 45 Wet meadows at West Sedgemoor 46 Corncrakes and the great yellow bumblebee 50 Chalk grassland re-creation in Wiltshire 54

Reserves and people – a review of 2006 59 Something for everyone 60 Innovative events 61 Living classrooms 62 Volunteering 63 ’s bird spectacle 64 Sandwell Valley in the community 66

Working for the environment 71 Composting at Ham Wall 72 Award-winning visitor centre for Rainham 76 RSPB graziers and the Single Payment Scheme 78

Thank you to our supporters 80 2 ) m ages.co m David Tipling (rspb-i

Avocet RSPB RESERVES 2007 3

Our vision

Our vision is to help achieve a wildlife-rich future by doubling the area of land managed as RSPB nature reserves by 2030, protecting our most special places for birds and all wildlife, and redressing past losses through habitat restoration and creation. Our reserves will be rich in wildlife and, 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. 4 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

Troup Head is managed for its seabirds, including Britain’s largest mainland gannetry RSPB RESERVES 2007 5

Introduction Nature reserves in a modern world

The protection of special places has inappropriate management, human space. A good example of this is our been a cornerstone of nature disturbance and direct persecution. reserve at Rainham Marshes in conservation for over a century, In recent years, we have invested (see page 76). In addition, our through the purchase of land as more in land that has low biodiversity reserves are supplying ecosystem nature reserves and through value but great potential, with the aim services, such as sea defence, the protection by law. of restoring or recreating its value for protection of water-gathering ground wildlife. We have done this to reverse and carbon storage. Wildlife is unevenly distributed across the fragmentation of land of high the UK. Natural factors such as conservation value, to reconnect it and In the future, we believe nature climate, topography, soils and buffer it from adverse edge effects, or reserves will play a vital role in geology play their part in this, but to establish new sites of high value. helping species to adapt to the people’s use of land and water has, We have targeted our efforts at sites effects of climate change. Providing increasingly, modified the natural that have the potential to conserve extensive areas of high quality distribution of species and habitats. nationally important numbers of habitat will enable species to be In consequence, some areas are threatened or declining bird species, or more robust in the face of extreme richer in wildlife than others and their species with internationally important weather conditions. protection has a disproportionately populations in the UK. high conservation impact. We have little doubt that nature An important goal for the RSPB’s reserves will continue to be an The RSPB first acquired land in the reserve network is to provide places important tool in achieving the 1930s. We have continued to invest where we can all be enthused and RSPB’s conservation goals for many in land acquisition as an important inspired by contact with nature at first decades to come. way of meeting our conservation hand. Our nature reserves provide objectives. By July 2006, we fantastic opportunities to show people managed 131,127 ha of land at 196 birds and other wildlife, and increase nature reserves throughout the UK. understanding of nature conservation. What follows is a progress report and In many cases, RSPB reserves make a series of case studies depicting the important contributions to local range of work that has been carried economies, especially as they are Gwyn Williams out on our reserves during 2006. often located in relatively remote rural Head of Reserves and Protected Areas areas with limited economic Over time, the type of land we have opportunities. sought has changed. Initially, we were driven by the need to protect Increasingly, RSPB nature reserves are land of high wildlife value in the contributing to urban regeneration by absence of effective statutory site helping to attract large-scale inward protection. This helped counter the investment through the creation of an Dr Mark Avery threats posed by development, attractive environment and urban green Director of Conservation 6 ) m ages.co m David Tipling (rspb-i

Twelve male red-necked phalaropes bred on RSPB reserves in 2006 RSPB RESERVES 2007 7

Reserves and wildlife a review of 2006

The strategic aims of the work on our reserves are: • to ensure that all SSSI/ASSI site management units for which the RSPB is responsible for delivery of favourable condition are classified as in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition by 2012 in , Wales and , and 2010 in • to ensure that populations of 11 key species are at least maintained at 2005 levels on the existing reserve network • to ensure that populations of 15 priority species are enhanced by 2012 on the existing reserve network • to achieve new functioning priority habitats on land acquired prior to 2006 • to ensure biodiversity thrives on reserves • to acquire further land to support delivery of our conservation objectives. Sound progress was made towards these aims in 2006. 8 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ) m ages.co m ersall (rspb-i m Chris Go

Grazing cattle is one of the ways we manage our reserves

Condition of RSPB-managed SSSIs/ASSIs

Almost three-quarters of the land reserves are in favourable or Data are not yet available from the under RSPB management is unfavourable recovering condition. statutory conservation organisations designated as SSSI/ASSI (Site/Area of Thirty-two features at 14 reserves are for sites in Wales and Northern Ireland. Special Scientific Interest). This in unfavourable condition for reasons reflects the role our reserves play in that could be within the RSPB’s control underpinning statutory site (7% of the 475 features monitored). conservation mechanisms. Condition of SSSI area (England) and features (Scotland) on RSPB reserves In England, 21,272 ha (80.6%) of the 26,400 ha of SSSI managed by the England (Based on Nov 06 data) Scotland (Based on June 06 data) RSPB are currently assessed as being in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition by . Only 1,049 ha (4%) are in unfavourable condition due to factors within, or partly within, the RSPB’s control. Plans for remedial action have been agreed with Natural England for 954 ha.

Favourable Unfavourable No Change In Scotland 362 (75%) of the 475 SSSI Unfavourable Recovering Unfavourable Declining features assessed within RSPB RSPB RESERVES 2007 9 Mark Ha Progress towards Common scoters breed species targets at Forsinard Flows m blin (rspb-i We aim to maintain the populations were 127 pairs at 13 reserves in of 11 key bird species at or above 2006, compared with 191 at 11 m

their 2005 reserve populations. reserves in 2005. The five-year ages.co Targets for 2012 have been set for a average on reserves is 149 pairs

further 15 key bird species breeding (2002–2006). The annual variation m ) on our reserves (see tables). in numbers is due in part to the birds shifting between nearby • Common scoters increased colonies, for example between slightly from 11 to 14 pairs at RSPB Hodbarrow reserve and Forsinard Flows, the only RSPB Foulney Island. However, we will reserve on which they breed. continue to give high priority to maintaining the population of little • Numbers of the limosa race of terns on RSPB reserves, given black-tailed godwits increased their long-term national decline. from 45 to 48 pairs at the Nene Washes (the highest ever recorded) and from one to two 60 pairs at Elmley. For the second year running, no black-tailed 50 godwits bred on the RSPB- 40 managed section of the Ouse Washes. The loss was caused by 30 an increase in spring flooding. 20

Number of pairs 10 • Twelve male red-necked phalaropes bred on RSPB 0 landholdings in the Western 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Isles (one site) and Year (five sites). Numbers of breeding limosa race black-tailed godwits at RSPB reserves. • Numbers of churring nightjars The area of land to which the figures refer has remained constant during were similar to those in 2005 the period shown. at most sites. At Farnham Species to be maintained at 2005 levels or above Heath, the first churring male was recorded following Species 2005 2006 plantation removal. Common scoter 11 14 Black-tailed godwit L l limosa 46 50 • Numbers of breeding Slavonian Red-necked phalarope (males) 18 12 grebes remained similar to 2005 Nightjar 90 >85 at Loch Ruthven, their only RSPB Scottish crossbill n/a n/a breeding site, and total numbers Slavonian grebe 2 2 of calling spotted crakes on Spotted crake 10 11 reserves were also similar to Whimbrel 10 n/a those in 2005. Little tern 191 127 Crested tit ca 200 n/a • Historically, little terns have bred Woodlark 83 80 at 17 RSPB nature reserves. There Note: figures are pairs except where stated otherwise. Scottish crossbills, whimbrels and crested tits are not monitored annually on RSPB reserves. 10 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ) m ages.co m

• There were 80 pairs of woodlarks at eight reserves in 2006 compared to 83 at eight reserves in 2005. A pair bred at Pulborough

Richard Brooks (rspb-i Richard for the first time.

• A bittern boomed for the first time at the newly created reedbed at Lakenheath Fen in 2006. There was a reduction in boomers at Minsmere (from 10 to nine) and Radipole (from one to zero), but an increase at Dingle Marshes from one to three.

• There were 51 hen harrier nests on RSPB reserves in 2006 compared to 49 in 2005. These 51 nests raised a minimum of 45 young in 2006 (47 in 2005).

• Black grouse showed a spectacular increase. There were 151 lekking male black grouse in 2006 compared to 98 in 2005. Black grouse increased at four out of five RSPB reserves on which they breed: at Abernethy (from 50 to 72), Corrimony (from 33 to 43), Geltsdale (from 7 to 14) and Lake Vyrnwy (see page 23).

• Numbers of lekking capercaillies, by contrast, declined at Abernethy/Craigmore (from 48 to 37 lekking males), but increased from one to two lekking males at Inchcruin (Loch Lomond). The decreases at Craigmore and Abernethy are thought to be due to poor breeding success in the previous two years. Capercaillie productivity was relatively high at There were 19 booming male bitterns on RSPB reserves in 2006 both sites in 2006: 0.5 chicks per 11 Carlos Sanchez (rspb-i m ages.co m )

Seven pairs of stone curlews bred on RSPB reserves in 2006

Species to be enhanced from 2005 levels hen at Abernethy, compared to 0.1 chicks per hen in 2005, and Species 2005 2006 2012 target 1.7 chicks per hen at Craigmore, Bittern 18 19 34 compared to 0.5 chicks per hen Hen harrier (nests) 49 51 55 in 2005. Black grouse (lekking males) 104 151 170 Capercaillie (lekking males) 48 39 60 • Stone-curlews increased to seven Stone-curlew 6 7 20 breeding pairs on RSPB reserves Corncrake (calling males) 242 266 330 in 2006, compared to six in 2005. Cirl bunting 0 0 1 This was due to an increase from Black-necked grebe 0 1 5 one to two pairs at our new Crane 0 0 3 Winterbourne Downs reserve. Lapwing (on lowland wet grassland) 1,311 1,366 1,650 Snipe (on lowland wet grassland) 542 579 700 • Numbers of calling corncrakes Redshank (on lowland wet grassland) 1,070 1,128 1,300 continued to increase on Dartford warbler 164 122 200 reserves. There were 266 calling Golden oriole 2 2 4 males in 2006 (around 17% of the Chough 31 34 40 UK total) compared to 242 in Note: figures are pairs except where stated otherwise

18 16 14 RSPB reserves excl Dingle 12 Marshes, Ham 10 Wall & 8 Malltraeth 6 4 Dingle Marshes

Number of boomers 2 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Year

Numbers of booming bitterns at reserves where the wetland area has remained constant during the period shown (solid line), and at Dingle Marshes. 12 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

The number of calling corncrakes has increased on RSPB reserves at a rate of four times that in the surrounding countryside

2005. The main increases were at encouraging, following the This is four times the increase in Balranald (from 34 to 40), Loch continued release of captive- the countryside outside reserves. Gruinart (from 13 to 20) and the reared chicks there. The first Nene Washes (from one to four). captive-bred bird returned and • There was one pair of black- There was also a calling bird at called at the Nene Washes in necked grebes present at Dearne Geltsdale and another briefly on 2005. Long-term trends on Valley. This was the first on an Rathlin. The four calling reserves are shown below. RSPB reserve since 2000, when corncrakes at the Nene Washes Corncrakes have increased eight- there were two pairs at Fairburn (including three returning fold on land managed by the Ings and the last breeding pair captive-bred chicks) were very RSPB between 1993 and 2006. was recorded at Loch of Kinnordy.

• RSPB reserves support an 12 increasingly high proportion of 10 the breeding wading birds remaining on lowland wet 8 grassland in the UK. Results 6 from the 2002 Breeding Waders Index 4 of Wet Meadows Survey 2 showed that RSPB reserves supported approximately 25% of 0 the lapwings, 40% of the 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 redshanks and 75% of the snipe Year breeding on lowland wet grassland in England. There were Trend in numbers of calling corncrakes on RSPB reserves and management 1,366 pairs of breeding lapwings agreement areas. The graph shows a modelled index of change using the in 2006 on the RSPB’s principal programme TRIM that takes account of the increase in area of land acquired lowland wet grassland sites, a for corncrakes during the period shown. Bars show +/- one standard error. slight increase on the 1,311 pairs RSPB RESERVES 2007 13 Mike Lane (rspb-i Mike m ages.co m )

Choughs increased to 34 pairs on RSPB reserves in 2006

in 2005. Numbers of drumming on Oronsay, but a decline from At Corrimony, we have planted snipe increased to 579 nine to eight pairs at South Stack. 105 ha of new Caledonian pine drumming birds on these In addition, a pair of choughs woodland. Plans for a further 70 ha of lowland wet grassland reserves summered on RSPB-managed pine-dominated woodland were in 2006 compared to 542 in land at Rathlin for the first time drawn up and 15,000 trees planted. 2005, largely due to a partial since the late 1980s. Winter browsing of pine regeneration recovery in numbers at the Ouse across Abernethy was at its lowest Washes. Redshanks increased Habitat enhancement level for 12 years with only 6.8% of slightly to 1,128 pairs on the regenerating trees having one or RSPB’s lowland wet grassland The area of established reedbed on more leaders browsed by deer during sites in 2006, compared to 1,070 RSPB reserves increased to over the dormant season. in 2005. 1,450 ha in 2005-06, with 420 ha of this total having been created. At Farnham Heath, a further • Dartford warblers declined from Another 150 ha are in a transitional 10.5 ha of conifer plantation were 164 pairs in 2005 to 122 pairs in phase, with either reed seedlings felled prior to creation of heathland 2006, with numbers down at all planted or reed gradually out- by natural regeneration, while at main sites. Reasons for this are competing other species. At Ouse The Lodge 19 ha of conifer unclear. Numbers of golden Fen (Hanson-RSPB Wetland Project at plantation were felled so that orioles were stable at the one Needingworth Quarry), an additional heathland can be created by RSPB reserve where they breed. 5,000 reed seedlings were planted removing the humic layer and and protected from grazing birds. adding heather seed. At Minsmere, • Choughs increased slightly from Reed seedlings were also planted at heather litter was added to nine ha 31 to 34 pairs, with increases of the following sites: Dearne Valley of previously acidified former arable one pair each at Ramsey Island (2,000), Lakenheath Fen (8,500), fields to create heathland, and (eight to nine), Loch Gruinart/ Langford Lowfields (20,000) and 18 ha of land taken out of arable Ardnave (five to six), Smaull Farm Otmoor (26,000). At the Loch of production to be reverted (one to two) and The Oa (six to Strathbeg, we began a project to through natural regeneration to seven). There was also one pair create 27 ha of additional reedbed. acid grassland. 14 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

Balnahard – a new reserve on Colonsay forming a vital link in our work to sustain corncrake recovery

Further habitat enhancement took • At Berney Marshes, a further At Forsinard Flows, 270 ha of place on the RSPB’s lowland wet 8–9 km of wet footdrains were forestry plantations on former blanket grassland reserves to improve them created on 75 ha of arable that are bog were felled in 2005–6 using for breeding wading birds. being converted to wet grassland hydraulic shears and hand-felling by to allow shallow flashes of water chainsaw. The original five-year target • Landforming to provide wet to develop. As a result, wading of removing 900 ha of forest blocks features was undertaken at birds increased from 24 pairs to has been significantly exceeded with Frampton (Marsh Farm – 75 ha 41 pairs on the developing a total of 1,507 ha, due to innovations for the Environment Agency) grasslands – a 68% increase in felling techniques and reduced and Freiston Shore (80 ha) as over 2005. purchase/felling costs. Drains within a part of the conversion of arable further six plantations on Forsinard to wet grassland. • At Greylake, 7 km of new Flows were blocked using a total of ditches, 16 km of new ‘gutters’ 138 plastic pile dams and 1,158 • At Otmoor, we created 75 pools and 19 scrapes have been machine-built peat dams. and shallow ditches over 60 ha created. Breeding wading birds of improved grassland acquired have increased to 16 pairs from in 2004. two pairs.

• At the Ouse Washes, where At our new reserve at Winterbourne 44 ha were converted into Downs, the first phase of conversion grassland in 2004, we achieved to chalk grassland has already started near-ideal water levels in spring with the seeding of 41 ha in autumn 2006 and wading birds fledged 2006 (see page 54). chicks for the first time. RSPB RESERVES 2007 15 Paul Collin (rspb-i

Other wildlife m ages.co Our work on biodiversity beyond

birds involves carrying out surveys to m identify other valuable wildlife on ) reserves, so we can take account of it in our management plans. We also monitor key species to help evaluate the effectiveness of our management.

Highlights during 2005–06: Wood of Cree was extended by the purchase of Barclye Farm, more than doubling the reserve area to 646 ha • Surveys of saline lagoon margins at Elmley and Brading Marshes showed that they support rich invertebrate faunas, particularly 15 extensions totalling 1,034 ha and potential lowland calcareous beetles and two-winged flies. a major Environment Agency/RSPB grassland, 143 ha of reedbed, 616 ha • We discovered breeding silver- partnership project of 93 ha at of wet grassland and 316 ha of studded blue butterflies on Beckingham in . broad-leaved woodland. heathland and acid grassland that the RSPB has created on former The new reserves were: Our supporters arable land at Minsmere. The rare • Bracklesham Bay, In 2005-06, we received £3.14 million ground beetle, Polystichus (coastal ) in grants. Those of particular note were connexus, known as the Cockney, • Winterbourne Downs, Wiltshire a grant of £866,000 from the Heritage was found on the acid grassland (arable for conversion back to Lottery Fund (HLF) for Winterbourne there in 2005, the first recorded calcareous grassland) Downs (Manor Farm). The HLF also in since 1828. Over 1,000 • Vange Marshes and West Canvey provided grants towards purchases at species of moths and butterflies Island, Essex (both wet grassland) Aylesbeare (£21,600), Lakenheath Fen have now been recorded at • Balnahard, Colonsay (corncrakes) (£110,500) and Brading Marshes Minsmere. • Troup Head, (£414,800), which also benefited from • New fungi were recorded at (seabirds, including Britain’s grants from Biffaward (£50,000) and Tudeley Woods, taking the site largest mainland gannetry) English Nature. The Aggregates Levy total to 1,002 species. Sustainability Fund granted £125,000 • Surveys for the mining bee Three of the reserve extensions were for a purchase at The Lodge. The Office Colletes floralis found several more than 50 ha in extent: of the Deputy Prime Minister and East colonies on the Isle of Islay, • Wood of Cree, Galloway (380 ha of England Development Agency including the RSPB reserves at mainly for planting to link existing provided funding for Fen Drayton Ardnave, Loch Gruinart and woodland blocks) (£1,179,000) and Ouse Fen (£240,000), Smaull Farm, thereby extending • Brading Marshes, with £113,000 from the Countryside its known range. (146 ha for wetland and chalk Commission at Hollesley Bay. The grassland restoration) Sussex Ornithological Society gave a Land acquisition • Boyton Marshes, Suffolk (85 ha grant of £10,000 towards the purchase for wet grassland restoration) of the new site at Bracklesham Bay. We added 1,923 ha to the RSPB We are grateful to all of our landholding, comprising six new The land acquired in 2005–06 supporters, a list of which is shown in reserves totalling 796 ha, included 257 ha of functioning or the RSPB’s annual review. 16 ) m ages.co m Mike (rspb-i Read

Dartford warblers are specialist birds of heathlands RSPB RESERVES 2007 17

Protecting threatened birds

RSPB reserves are most 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 recovery of others (such as bitterns, avocets and corncrakes). Our reserves support more than 1% of the UK breeding populations of 63 bird species. Four species (roseate tern, black-tailed godwit, purple sandpiper and red-necked phalarope) have more than 75% of their UK populations breeding on RSPB reserves. Most of the bird species that breed on RSPB reserves in UK important numbers have either increased or remained stable on reserves since 1990. 18 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

Bittern – a specialist bird of wet reedbeds

Developing a network of reedbeds for bitterns

The bittern is a specialist bird of reedbeds that has suffered a large decline across most of Europe. Extinct in the UK since 1886, it re-colonised in 1921 and increased to 80 booming (singing) males by the 1950s. However, by the end of the 1980s, it had declined again to 20 and, following a hard winter, reached a low of 11 in 1997. This long-term decline has resulted in its inclusion as a UK BAP species. As lead partner, the RSPB has worked with a wide partnership of organisations to support recovery of this stunning bird.

AUTHOR: GRAHAM WHITE RSPB RESERVES 2007 19 Andy Hay (rspb-i

The Bittern LIFE-Nature m Project ages.co

To halt this decline and to re-establish m ) a sustainable population of bitterns in the UK, two major projects were undertaken, both funded by the EC LIFE-Nature programme. These exciting, ambitious and carefully planned projects aimed to enable this shy but enigmatic bird to have a much more secure future in the UK.

The first project (1996–2000) focused mainly on restoring existing sites and did much to halt the decline. The second project (2002–2006) aimed to build on this success and establish a strategic network of suitable breeding sites across the UK. Work was undertaken on 19 sites by a partnership of eight organisations, Removal of sediment and reed litter build-up has been a successful comprising four non-government method of restoring wet reedbeds organisations (The RSPB, Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Wildlife Trust and Wildlife The full results of the work will not birds produced by Minsmere must Trust) and four statutory agencies or be evident for a number of years, have played an important role in re- local authorities (English Nature, but, by 2004, the number of booming colonisation of new sites during the Broads Authority, Lee Valley Regional bitterns in the UK had increased to subsequent population recovery. Park Authority and Rye Harbour 55 after several years of sustained Nature Reserve). The total budget growth. A drop in the following two Titchwell – a restored site was around £4 million. years served to dampen over- enthusiasm and to focus minds on The RSPB’s Titchwell Marsh nature The work involved creating seven key issues that needed resolving. reserve is part of a chain of coastal new reedbeds, enlarging five smaller Early data from 2007 suggests the lagoon and reedbed sites along the reedbeds and restoring good habitat number of booming bitterns will be at North coast. The site supports at three dry reedbeds. In addition, 50 again, a remarkable success over the second largest reedbed in North more open water features were 10 years. Numbers of booming Norfolk and had breeding bitterns in created in four reedbeds already bitterns on RSPB reserves are shown the not too distant past. However, we occupied by bitterns, with the aim of on page 11. identified problems with the increasing their productivity by availability of fish for bitterns. The providing extra feeding During the early stages of the work undertaken in the LIFE-Nature opportunities. The work was recovery, between 1997 and 2001, project included extensive ditch work targeted at locations across the UK, the RSPB’s Minsmere nature reserve and the creation of broad pools in the away from the current core was producing 50–80% of the UK’s middle of the main reedbed. The work population but in areas likely to be fledged bittern chicks. The young was undertaken during the winter of colonised by bitterns. 20 RSPB RESERVES 2007 Jo Gilbert (RSPB) Gilbert Jo

Reed cutting at Ham Wall with an amphibious machine called a Truxor

2003–04 and, remarkably, a booming bittern was recorded during the following summer, with the first nesting for many years recorded in 2005.

Lakenheath Fen – a new site

Lakenheath Fen, located in the fens of , was arable land until the start of our reedbed creation project in 1996. The site is strategically important because it links the coastal populations of bitterns with potential sites within Planting reed seedlings at Lakenheath Fen RSPB RESERVES 2007 21 Tony Ha Tony m blin (rspb-i the fens and further west. It provides m a valuable inland resource, away from ages.co the effects of sea level rise and the m

inevitable loss of coastal habitat. )

The reserve took shape over several years, with the creation of ditches and open water features and the planting of over 300,000 reed seedlings. By 2006, it looked like an Bittern established reedbed, with breeding marsh harriers and bearded tits. This was also the year that the first Network of sites managed for bittern recovery booming bittern was recorded. by the UK BAP partnership

Lee Valley – innovative reedbed creation

This 70-acre lake is managed by the Potteric Carr Lee Valley Regional Park Authority on Barrow Scout the /Essex border. It is an Silverdale Moss Humber Flats, Marshes area of former gravel pits excavated and Coast SPA * (including Far Ings) ▲ between 20 and 70 years ago. ■▲ Dearne Valley Because of the profusion of spits and North Norfolk Coast SPA * Leighton Moss SPA ● Broadland SPA islands left after the extraction process, ▲ ▲ Valley Wetlands ▲ Benacre to several of the lakes have shorelines of Langford Lowfields ● Easton ● ▲ Bavents SPA up to four miles. By using a new Malltraeth ■ ▲ technique of interlocking floats to Marsh Wigan Flashes ■ Lakenheath How Hill ■ enable diggers to access the islands, Ouse Fen ▲ ● ■ (Hanson-RSPB project) ● trees and scrub were removed and a Minsmere - Walberswick SPA * North Warren new, lower landform was created for Gwent Levels Otmoor ▲ the establishment of reeds. Reed ▲ Lee Valley SPA * ● Ham Wall seedlings were planted and protected ● ▲ Stodmarsh SPA * from grazing wildfowl. The new ● ▲ landscape quickly increased the Levels & Moors SPA (including Shapwick) attractiveness of the site for ducks, ▲ Dungeness to Pett Level SPA * (including Castle Water) geese and swans and the area attracts Radipole Lake/Lodmoor up to seven wintering bitterns. ▲

Marazion Marsh SPA * Thanks to our funders: EC LIFE- Nature programme, Heritage Lottery Fund, ESA Capital Works, Waste ■ Current SPA sites for breeding bitterns Recycling Group (WRG) through Waste ▲ Future sites for breeding bitterns included in LIFE-Nature project Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN), ● Future sites for breeding bitterns outside LIFE-Nature project English Nature and EU INTERREG * Indicates site currently designated SPA for wintering bitterns North Sea Programme – Transnational Ecological Network (TEN) III. 22 ) m ages.co m Mike Lane (rspb-i

Black grouse had increased to 18 lekking males at Lake Vyrnwy by 2006

Grouse at Lake Vyrnwy

The RSPB’s Lake Vyrnwy nature reserve in Powys is a 10,000 ha expanse of blanket bog, heather moorland, conifer plantation, meadows and mountain streams. It is important for many upland bird species in Wales, such as hen harrier, black grouse and red grouse. We have been working in partnership with Severn Trent Water (STW), Forestry Commission Wales and the Countryside Council for Wales to improve these upland habitats for key bird species, as well as enhancing water quality for public supply.

AUTHORS: MIKE WALKER AND MALCOLM AUSDEN RSPB RESERVES 2007 23

Conservation management Nesting female hen harriers and hen harrier productivity

In 1996, the RSPB entered into a 7 farming partnership with STW and 6 took over the day-to-day running of a 5 4,400 ha in-hand farm, with its 3,500 4

sheep and 42 cattle. This provided Pairs 3 the opportunity to manage the 2 Females grazing primarily for nature 1 Young fledged conservation benefits. Stock numbers 0 had been reduced some years before 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 the RSPB took over the farm. No Year further reductions in stock numbers have been made, although changes in Lekking male black grouse farming practice have allowed us to reduce grazing pressure on the 20 18 moorland itself. 16 14 To improve conditions for grouse, we 12 10 have broken up large, even-aged 8 stands of heather moorland to create 6 an intimate mosaic of heather of 4

Number of lekking males 2 different age-classes and structures. 0 Most of this work was initially carried 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 out by burning, but, in recent years, Year we have used cutting instead. Cutting enables us to tailor our management more closely to the requirements of Monitoring Blanket bog restoration red and black grouse. In addition to block cutting, for red grouse we We have monitored the effects of In 2006 we began a five-year EC create areas consisting of alternately cutting and burning on vegetation LIFE-Nature project to restore mown and unmown strips, 2 metres over 15 years. Numbers of adult red significant areas of blanket bog to wide, to maximise the length of grouse and broods are surveyed favourable condition in North Wales, ‘edge’ for them. This means that annually in six 1 km squares using working in partnership with the birds feeding on the heather trained dogs. Lekking male black Countryside Council for Wales, re-growth along mown strips are grouse are counted annually. Breeding Forestry Commission Wales and the never far from protective cover – hen harriers are surveyed annually by Environment Agency. The project protection that would be missing in visiting potential territories. includes work on the Lake Vyrnwy the centre of a traditionally burned reserve that will block over 100 km of area. We have opened up areas of Changes in bird numbers moorland drain and remove self dense heather for black grouse by seeding Sitka spruce and cutting 45 cm grooves in them Numbers and productivity of red rhododendron from 900 ha. using a tractor-towed, modified grouse have shown no overall trend potato haul chopper. since 1996. Black grouse have shown a substantial increase in lekking males. Hen harriers have remained at 5-6 nesting females since 2003, and now have relatively high productivity. 24 ) m ages.co m Mike Lane (rspb-i

The capercaillie is a specialist bird of Caledonian pine forests

Capercaillie at Abernethy

The capercaillie is the world’s largest grouse, inhabiting the boreal forests of Europe and western Asia. These charismatic birds are generally associated with pine forest over most of their range. After becoming extinct in Scotland around 1770, the capercaillie was successfully reintroduced from 1837, and by the 1970s there were 20,000 or more. In recent years, numbers have been as low as 1,000, with Strathspey and Abernethy being among their strongholds.

AUTHOR: NEIL COWIE RSPB RESERVES 2007 25

Capercaillie lekking male numbers at Abernethy

50

40 Tackling the decline of the capercaillie 30

Scotland has lost 99% of its native 20

Caledonian pinewood, with the Number of males 10 largest remnant surviving at Abernethy. This site, and the 0 surrounding pinewoods and 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 plantations within Strathspey, Year therefore play a crucial part in the survival of the species in Scotland. Despite the large national declines in capercaillie brood habitats. One deliver improved capercaillie brood capercaillie, numbers at Abernethy means of improving the brood habitat. As a result of this work, we are relatively stable. Sustaining or habitats may be to develop forms of now know that cutting and burning expanding the population at management that mimic natural will produce an increase in blaeberry Abernethy depends upon ongoing ecological disturbances. cover, which is a food plant for management at the site and the caterpillars and other invertebrates development of innovative Testing of in-forest field that are an important food source for management techniques. layer management capercaillie chicks. There is also some Management for capercaillie at techniques evidence that it increases capercaillie Abernethy aims to provide old usage. The advantage of cutting is Caledonian pinewood or Scots pine At the RSPB’s Abernethy reserve, we that it can be carried out irrespective plantations with large amounts have been researching the use of of weather conditions. On this basis, of blaeberry. fire, cutting and cattle as tools to we are currently carrying out a

There has been considerable debate in recent years over the extent to Changes in deer numbers at Abernethy over the last 18 years which conservation managers of Red deer counts forests should allow or re-create (stags, hinds and calves combined) dynamic processes that disturb 1000 forests. Natural ecological 900 disturbances, such as those created OCT 800 by fire and large herbivores, may MAR have an important role to play in 700 forest nature reserves. 600 500 Following a progressive reduction in 400 deer numbers at Abernethy to enable

Number of animals 300 tree regeneration and forest 200 expansion, an increase in heather 100 height and density took place. 0

It is possible that this change may 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 have adversely affected the quality of Year 26 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ond Dugan (RSPB) ond Dugan m Des

A tractor-mounted flail is used to reduce the density of heather-dominated vegetation

stand-scale management trial decades has made them all the people do not enter parts of the forest whereby we are cutting about a more sought after by people eager before 8 am, and advising visitors that, quarter of ‘problem’ dense heather- to see these spectacular woodland if they wish to see capercaillie, they dominated vegetation within a 400 ha grouse. However, they can be should attend Caper-watch. section of the forest. difficult to see without risk of disturbance. To enable people to Restoring tracks to forest We have used a tractor-mounted flail enjoy these birds at close quarters, on less sensitive areas, and the RSPB began Caper-watch based Over the past 200 years, the number hand-held brush-cutters where we at the Osprey Centre. of gravel tracks for vehicles through need to avoid areas of tree Here, in an area of bog-woodland the forest has increased and the track regeneration and other important surrounding the ospreys’ nest, network at Abernethy is more features. Brood performance in these capercaillie gather in spring to extensive than we require to manage treated areas will be compared with perform their ritual lekking display. the site. Furthermore, research work those in control blocks. In the longer This provided an ideal opportunity to suggests that the area adjacent to term, this use of machinery is not use the centre’s viewing facilities to tracks, amounting to around 20% of going to be sustainable. In future, we watch the birds in a controlled and the forest area, is avoided by will review the option of controlled managed way without disturbing capercaillie, with human disturbance grazing and trampling by cattle or them. In 2006, 2,161 people probably being the main cause. other grazing animals. attended Caper-watch at 5.30 am – a measure of the demand to view We have begun a programme of Managing the impacts of this species. reducing in-forest parking disturbance to capercaillie opportunities and narrowing some During the lekking period, the RSPB tracks from vehicle track to path, in Ironically, the decline of the erects temporary signs at key access accordance with the Scottish Outdoor capercaillie over the last few points to the reserve, requesting that Access Code. We plan to modify RSPB RESERVES 2007 27 Des m ond Dugan (RSPB)

Restored track in (before restoration, left)

28 km of tracks in the next five years decaying log. High cutting provides Thanks to our funders: and a further 22 km of tracks in the standing deadwood for nesting EC LIFE-Nature programme, BP following 25 years. crested tits, and all types of through the Scottish Forest Alliance, deadwood provide niches for rare Scottish Natural Heritage, Cairngorms Restructuring and lower plants and invertebrates. In National Park Authority, Forestry deadwood creation 2006, we pulled over 1,800 trees at Commission Scotland, Craigmore with another 400 trees LEADER+, BG Group, Whitley Animal Current deadwood content at being treated in other ways. Protection Trust and Lochcarron Abernethy is very low compared with of Scotland. near-natural stands in Finland and Ongoing and future work North-West Russia. In particular, we have a very poor forest structure in In addition to managing the forest the plantation parts of the forest, field layer for the benefit of with very little deadwood, some of capercaillie and other pinewood which provides cover for capercaillie, biodiversity interests, we are for nests and broods. We are in the continuing work to promote forest process of creating 1,500 deadwood expansion up to the natural treeline. centres over a 5–10 year period, after We wish to increase the size of which we will review and repeat the Abernethy Forest to almost double exercise. Trees are being treated with the current size, reduce its a range of techniques including fragmentation, and make the ring-barking, high-cutting and pulling connection through to big over with a winch. Pulled trees neighbouring forests at Glenmore create brash cover, a root-plate for and Rothiemurchus. dust-bathing and gritting, and a 28 ) m ages.co m Niall Benvie (rspb-i Niall Benvie

Common sundew among sphagnum mosses RSPB RESERVES 2007 29

Restoring lost habitats

The main factor causing the loss of biodiversity in the last century has been destruction of habitat. RSPB reserves conserve more than 5% of the UK resource of native Caledonian pine, reedbed, 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 or restoring reedbeds, wet grasslands and heathlands where the importance of the habitat for birds is high, and in so doing has contributed significantly to UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) targets for these habitats. 30 ) m ages.co m ersall (rspb-i m Chris Go

Lapwings have benefited from the restoration of wet features at Ynys-hir

Wetlands for Wales at Ynys-hir

At the RSPB’s Ynys-hir reserve on the Dyfi Estuary in Ceredigion, we have restored 210 ha of grassland to provide suitable habitat for breeding lapwings and redshanks and for wintering ducks, geese and swans. The land was purchased in 2000, one of twelve sites in Wales where the acquisition and restoration management was part-funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund through the Wetlands for Wales Partnership and by private individuals. The Wetlands for Wales Partnership consisted of the RSPB, Environment Agency Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and North Wales Wildlife Trust.

AUTHOR: DICK SQUIRES RSPB RESERVES 2007 31

The majority of the fields acquired Numbers of lapwings and redshanks have increased at Ynys-hir in consisted of improved grassland, response to wet grassland restoration previously drained by deep ditches and pipe drains. The field had been 90 Lapwing ploughed and then converted to a 80 Redshank monoculture of perennial rye-grass. 70 The deep ditches were fenced to 60 prevent stock from falling into them. 50 Between the fence and ditch, dense scrub and trees had established, 40 making the site even less suitable for Number of pairs 30 wetland birds that prefer open 20 ground. The grassland was grazed by 10 high numbers of sheep and cattle, 0 with a few of the fields set aside for 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 silage and arable. Most of the fields Year had been fertilised annually by a chemical fertiliser and farmyard fencing were removed, either by low densities, with the number manure. All the fields were regularly contractors or by a small team of increasing during the second week of disturbed by farming activities, which staff and volunteers. Wherever May, as the grass sward grows. included rolling and harrowing during possible the fencing was recycled, the birds’ breeding season. either being used elsewhere on site Many of the former sheep-grazed or donated to local farms. fields had a tight, uniform sward. A few pairs of lapwings managed to Any lapwings nesting on these breed at the site prior to the RSPB Any ditch-side scrub and small trees fields would have been very visible acquiring it, mainly on small areas of were removed and all 7,500 metres and vulnerable to predators. arable within it. Redshanks had been of ditch re-profiled and widened A chisel-plough was used to break lost from the site as a breeding from 1 metre wide to a maximum up to 8 ha per year to diversify the species by about 1985. width of 4 metres. To facilitate the structure of some of the drier supply of water, 280 metres of new grassland. The chisel-plough has The main aims of our management ditches were dug, together with successfully broken up the surface were to re-create high water level additional shallow side ditches of the field to create small grassland on these agriculturally- (grips). These ditches and grips hummocks and divots among which improved fields to provide suitable provide shallow water-edge features lapwings can nest. habitat for breeding wading birds – for use by breeding wading birds. especially lapwings, which have Finally, water level control structures What we have achieved undergone a catastrophic decline were installed, which enable in Wales. approximately 20% of the wading The numbers of breeding wading birds’ breeding fields to be covered birds have increased dramatically What we have done in shallow water in early spring. since the main work began in 2001. Changes in the numbers of breeding The main set-up management work In general, between March and April, lapwings and redshanks for the commenced in 2001 and continued no grazing takes place on areas which whole reserve are shown above. through to 2004. The first task was have nesting birds (stock only graze to remove the ditch-side fencing adjacent fields with no signs of nesting from both sides of the numerous birds). From the end of April onwards, ditches on the site: 7,010 metres of cattle are re-introduced to fields at very 32 Jakto

An old railway line separates the new wetland at Bolton Ings (highlighted) from our reserve at Old Moor (upper left)

Wetland creation at Bolton Ings

At Bolton Ings in the Dearne Valley, close to the RSPB’s Old Moor reserve in South Yorkshire, we are working with developers, the local planning authority and the Environment Agency to create a 45 ha wetland. We hope that the wetland will support breeding bitterns among other wildlife.

AUTHOR: JO GILKES RSPB RESERVES 2007 33 Andy Hay (rspb-i m ages.co m )

Over the winter of 2006/07, 200,000 cubic metres of soil were removed from Bolton Ings

Bolton Ings was an agricultural field the Ings, but the large-scale earthworks working with the developer, the owned by Barnsley Metropolitan involved are very expensive. Environment Agency and the local Borough Council and the Environment planning authority to achieve the multiple Agency. It forms a washland – an The Dearne Valley is undergoing objectives of the partnership. artificial floodplain used to store large-scale regeneration. Wetland floodwater during periods of high river creation at Bolton Ings was made The newly created wetland will have discharge. The usual approach to possible by working with developers, 20 ha of reedbed, 12 ha of wet grassland wetland creation is to raise water levels Ben Bailey Homes, to use soil and 13 ha of open water. Existing Public close to or above ground level, often excavated from Bolton Ings for Rights of Way have also been upgraded. with additional small-scale excavation of surrounding housing and residential These now offer fantastic views of the pools and channels. However, this was development, so retaining the flood new wetland, which has already been not an option at Bolton Ings, because storage capacity of the Ings. Between visited by avocets and a spoonbill. raising water levels would reduce the October 2006 and March 2007, two volume available for storage of bulldozers, six 33-tonne excavators and Thanks to our funders: floodwater. An alternative approach is to ten dumper trucks removed 200,000 Yorkshire Forward, Environment Agency, maintain similar water levels but lower cubic metres of soil from the Bolton EC LIFE-Nature programme, Heritage the surface of the soil. This would Ings. The large anticipated cost of the Lottery Fund, SITA Trust and Ben maintain the flood storage capacity of project was reduced considerably by Bailey Homes. 34 ) m ages.co m an Russell (rspb-i an Russell m Nor

Plantation on blanket bog at Forsinard Flows before restoration

Blanket bog restoration at Forsinard Flows

The RSPB’s Forsinard Flows reserve lies in the far north of Scotland and was purchased 11 years ago with the help of a hugely successful membership appeal. Known as the Flow Country, the blanket bog found here is the largest and most intact example found anywhere in the UK, and possibly the world. In some places it is up to nine metres deep, and carbon-dating of the peat layers shows that it started forming soon after the last Ice Age.

AUTHOR: KATY ROBINSON RSPB RESERVES 2007 35 Chris Go m ersall (rspb-i ersall

Intact peat bog in the Flow Country is techniques on a much larger scale, m an important habitat for birds and and 1,507 ha of plantation had been ages.co other wildlife. The reserve currently restored by 2006. Drains were m supports four pairs of black-throated blocked using three types of dam, ) divers, 43 pairs of greenshanks, over depending on peat depth and 150 pairs of dunlins and 160 pairs of proximity to sensitive bog pools. golden plovers, as well as at least 11 Most dams are built with peat, using pairs of hen harriers, three pairs of a very low-ground-pressure excavator merlins and over 2,000 pairs of both machine. In fact, we built so many skylarks and meadow pipits. dams (1,158 by 2006) that the contractor cut an excavating bucket The peat bogs of Caithness and down to the width of the drain, so have been naturally that the size of the dam created was tree-less for most of the last 8,000 in keeping with the width of the years. However, in some areas, drain. The same contractor developed Four pairs of black-throated divers including parts of the reserve, the a hydraulic shear attachment for the breed at Forsinard Flows blanket bog has been damaged by low-ground-pressure machine, drainage schemes and inappropriate enabling him to fell trees planting of non-native conifers, both mechanically with almost no damage funded through government grants to the peat surface. As the machine success. Water levels have been and tax loopholes between the works, it also tracks over the brash, raised, native bog vegetation is 1950s and 1980s. To achieve compressing it into the ditch. The reclaiming felled areas and we have meaningful restoration of this prime result is a more level surface that been monitoring and maintaining the habitat, we need to work on a retains water better, which in turn will dams to protect this massive carbon landscape scale. Since 1995, we be beneficial for the restoration of store. We are pleased that many of have added significantly to the size the site. The water-loving bog plants the dams that we built after the first of the reserve by buying adjacent will be able to colonise the area more phases of tree felling eight years ago areas of plantation (nearly 2,000 ha easily, and begin the process of have now become invisible because to date) so that we can work to actively laying down peat once more. of the re-growth of native bog restore a large area to its former vegetation around them. These are good condition. We are enhancing The fact that peat bogs have been the first steps in a long-term project, the integrity of the bog further by disappearing from our landscape is of but it is heartening to see that many blocking hill drains on the reserve to international concern, not only from a birds, insects and plants are raise the water table, with around wildlife perspective. The destruction benefiting as they gradually move in 8,000 dams installed to date. During of bog habitats contributes to carbon to the restored areas. the period 1994–98, we received EC loss into the atmosphere, one of the LIFE-Nature funding to trial different major causes of climate change. Our Thanks to our funders: ways of felling trees and blocking restoration is a long-term vision, as EC LIFE-Nature programme, Heritage drains to give us a value-for-money peat forms so slowly that, on Lottery Fund, Scottish Natural approach and one that would speed average, less than 4 cm builds up Heritage, Jordan Charitable the restoration of the native flora. over 100 years. It will be several Foundation and Tubney Charitable decades before the felled areas look Trust. Thanks also to staff from the Following on from this work, in a like peatland again. On a positive North Sutherland Community Forest second LIFE project, which ran from note, although bog does form very Trust, who carried out some of the 2000–06, we implemented these slowly, we do appear to be having restoration work. 36 s (RSPB) m Gwyn Willia

Heather is recovering quickly at Farnham Heath where plantations have been removed

Heathland re-creation at Farnham

At Farnham Heath in , we are re-creating a 130-ha mosaic of lowland heath, acid grassland and wood pasture by removing 25–60 year-old conifer plantations. This is one of the largest heathland re-creation projects in the UK. The recently felled areas are already providing suitable habitat for breeding woodlarks and nightjars.

AUTHOR: MALCOLM AUSDEN RSPB RESERVES 2007 37 Andy Hay (rspb-i m ages.co

An early map of Surrey, dated 1816, m ) shows that the majority of Farnham Heath was then open common. The area was enclosed in 1853, and this rapidly led to an increase in tree cover, partly due to deliberate planting, but also as a result of a lack of traditional heathland management. After the Second World War, the land was acquired for forestry, with the first 40 ha of trees planted by 1954.

Seedbank study

Researchers at the University of East Anglia carried out a study to compare the composition of the seedbank in the soil beneath the conifer plantation at Farnham Heath with that of adjacent heathland. The study showed Before restoration began, the site was covered with dense that, despite being afforested, the plantation and bracken plantation at Farnham Heath had similar densities of desirable ericaceous plants to surrounding areas 100 of heathland. This suggested that Farnham Heath heathland regeneration would be rapid 90 Adjacent heathland following removal of the conifers. 80 70 Our management 60 ) 2 approach 50

Following a consultation and approval 40 (nos per m process with Forestry Commission, 30 local residents, access groups, parish 20 councils and others, we started the Density of germinated seeds 10 felling operation in December 2004. To date, we have felled and removed 0 Ericaceous Grasses Wind− Other forbs Trees and a total of 45 ha of plantation. spp. dispersed other composites shrubs Plant groups

Densities of germinating seeds from soil samples taken from Farnham Heath while it was still conifer plantation and adjacent heathland areas. Bars show the mean figures +/- one standard error. 38 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ) m ages.co m David Kjaer (rspb-i

Four pairs of woodlarks bred at Farnham Heath in 2006

What we have achieved 9 The heather has regenerated rapidly in 2 Year before conifer 8 removal the first restored blocks, despite 7 Two years following substantial growth of bracken, birch and conifer removal conifer seedlings, all of which will 6 require ongoing management. 5

4 Since felling started, heathland 3 species have been quick to return. Two pairs of woodlarks bred in 2005 2

Number of stems/seedlings per m and four in 2006. Nightjars returned, 1 with one pair in 2006, and a pair of 0 hobbies reared one chick in 2006. Heather Bracken Birch Conifers Plants Thanks to our funders: SITA Trust and Surrey Hills Area of Changes in densities of heather and bracken stems and birch and conifer Outstanding Natural Beauty seedlings at Farnham Heath before and after plantation removal during Sustainable Development Fund. winter 2004/05. Bars show mean figures +/- one standard error. RSPB RESERVES 2007 39 Andy Hay (rspb-i m ages.co m )

Nightjars have already recolonised Farnham Heath 40 ) m ages.co m David Wootton David Wootton (rspb-i

Intertidal habitat creation has been restored inside the river wall at Goosemoor (area highlighted)

Demonstrating regulated tidal exchange at the Exe Estuary

RSPB reserves are often used as sites to develop and demonstrate best practice in land and water management. We do this to influence other land managers, advisers and decision-makers and in support of our wider land use advocacy and advisory work. The project at Goosemoor is an example of this.

AUTHORS: MALCOLM AUSDEN AND GRAEME LYONS RSPB RESERVES 2007 41 Andy Hay (rspb-i m ages.co m )

Earthworks have been undertaken at Goosemoor to encourage redshanks to breed

At Goosemoor, part of the RSPB’s The idea of using this technique Our management Exe Estuary reserve, we have used followed a visit to the eastern USA, approach regulated tidal exchange (RTE) to where RTE is widely used to create 6 ha of intertidal habitat on introduce tidal flushing to impounded Contractors were on site for former species-poor grassland. This coastal wetlands. RTE has great approximately two months during the project has been carried out in potential for creating intertidal habitat late summer of 2004, re-profiling partnership with, and with funding where breaching of embankments to ground levels, installing a large pipe from, Defra, the Environment Agency create full tidal exchange is through the seawall, and attaching the and English Nature. The aims are to impractical. It can also be used to tide-gate. Re-profiling involved creating provide biodiversity benefits and to help accrete sediment prior to full a series of creeks, a permanent saline demonstrate the potential uses of breaching of an embankment. lagoon and islands to attract breeding this novel approach. RTE involves avocets and redshanks. The work was allowing a controlled flow of estuarine RTE is not seen as a permanent completed by the end of October water through a self-regulating solution at Goosemoor, and may be 2004 and regulated tidal exchange tidegate in the existing river wall. The followed in a few years’ time by full then introduced. Total unit construction tidegate opens and closes managed realignment. costs were relatively high, because of automatically at pre-set tide heights to allow water on to the site for a Costs period when the tide is rising, and off Self-regulating tide-gate (including transport from the USA) £22,000 when the tide is falling. Regulation of Groundworks (including re-profiling, construction of headwalls, water levels within the Goosemoor pipe sluice, etc) £50,000 site was necessary to prevent the need for a new costly flood bank to protect a nearby railway line. 42 RSPB RESERVES 2007

The tidegate is self-regulating by means of a number of floats

the need to import the tidegate from introduction of tidal exchange. The developed at Goosemoor during the the USA (they are not currently mud has been colonised by second season following introduction manufactured in the UK) and because ragworms Hediste diversicolor, mud of regulated tidal exchange. Virtually of the large amount of earthworks shrimps Corophium volutator, and the entire area shown was dominated required for a relatively small area. non-biting midge larvae by creeping bent grass before the Unit costs would be much lower for a Chironomidae. However, the density project began, but colonisation by larger area of RTE. Vegetation has of mud-dwelling invertebrates has saltmarsh plants is very apparent. been managed subsequently by remained low (just 0.4 g per m2 two cutting, but grazing may be introduced years after introduction of tidal Bird use in the long-term. exchange). This is probably because The RTE area at Goosemoor has the large fluctuations in salinity been used by a much greater variety Accretion and along this section of the River Clyst and number of birds for feeding and colonisation by mud- make the mud less suitable for roosting than prior to the project. The dwelling invertebrates these invertebrates. most abundant birds using the 6 ha site during the second winter The average depth of mud accreted Vegetation establishment following introduction of tidal within the RTE area was 4 cm exchange are shown right. The site is during the first year and 2.6 cm The map (right) shows the habitats also well used by autumn passage during the second year following and dominant plant species that have wading birds. RSPB RESERVES 2007 43 ai iln (rspb-i David Tipling

Vegetation communities present after two seasons of tidal inundation m ages.co m )

0 0.05 0.1

kilometres

The avocet (above) and lapwing (below) will benefit from the newly-created intertidal habitat

Key Bob Glover (rspb-i Standing brackish water Buttonweed dominated areas Disturbed ground Dry grassland MG13 – Creeping bent – marsh foxtail grassland (inundated)

Intertidal mud/water m Misc grassland ages.co MG13 – Creeping bent – marsh foxtail (not inundated)

Perimeter track m S4 – Common reed swamp ) S21 – Sea club-rush swamp SM12 – Rayed sea aster saltmarsh SM28 – Common couch upper saltmarsh SM8 – Annual glasswort saltmarsh Orache dominated areas Tidal flap Vaucharia algal mat

Mean monthly count (October 2005–March 2006) Species Low tide Species High tide Wigeon 42 Lapwing 71 Teal 36 Wigeon 66 Lapwing 20 Teal 45 Canada goose 8 Curlew 27 Curlew 3 Brent goose 18 44 ) m ages.co m Jackie Cooper (rspb-i Jackie

Southern damselfly RSPB RESERVES 2007 45

Beyond birds improving conditions for biodiversity

RSPB nature reserves make a major contribution to the conservation of all wildlife, not just birds. At least 95% of the UK’s species of dragonflies, 76% of spiders, 76% of moths, and 65% of ground beetles are found on RSPB reserves. Data for other groups is less complete, but by extrapolation, RSPB reserves must contribute to the conservation of most of the 88,000 species of terrestrial, freshwater and marine organism found in the UK.

To ensure that management for birds does not damage any key species in other taxa, and to improve management for biodiversity generally on its reserves, the RSPB funds an ongoing, targeted programme of surveys by taxonomic specialists at potentially important reserves. These surveys have confirmed that the reserve network plays an important role in the conservation of UK BAP Priority Species. By 2006, 137 (just over a quarter) of the 540 non-avian UK BAP Priority Species had been recorded at RSPB reserves. 46 ) m ages.co m David Kjaer (rspb-i

Wet hay meadows in flower

Wet meadows at West Sedgemoor

West Sedgemoor boasts one of the largest remaining areas in the UK of a special wet meadow community, known as ‘MG8’ among botanists. This part of the Somerset Levels and Moors SSSIs and SPA is also recognised for its importance for breeding wading birds, wintering and migratory waterfowl and aquatic invertebrates. The RSPB manages 526 ha (52%) of the moor.

AUTHOR: HARRY PAGET-WILKES RSPB RESERVES 2007 47 Andy Hay (rspb-i m ages.co m

A brief history )

During the 1970s, significant changes at West Sedgemoor were being driven by the desire to increase the agricultural potential of the site. It Winter floodwater at West Sedgemoor was recognised that unimproved wet hay meadows were being lost along with much of the ornithological value. In the late 1970s, the RSPB started on the RSPB land holding. The MG8 • installing an efficient pump supply purchasing land to conserve the at West Sedgemoor is distinct from system to over 200 ha to prevent remaining wet grassland biodiversity. that described in the NVC, with the need to retain winter In 1983, the site was designated as considerable variation relating to both floodwater to maintain conditions an SSSI. hydrological and fertility gradients. for breeding wading birds.

During the early 1990s, we began Managing the wet In 2002, the RSPB also introduced a attempts to reverse the damage from meadows system of financial incentives for its drainage by raising ditch water levels tenants. This included payments for across large areas of the RSPB During the 1990s, changes in extent cutting hay on all MG8 meadows holding. The first complete vegetation of the wet meadow flora were and M22 fen meadow. Payments survey of the site was undertaken in observed in response to the are also made for cutting and 1996 using the National Vegetation combination of hydrological removing unpalatable rush and sedge Classification (NVC) by Ecological management for breeding birds and patches where fields are grazed Surveys (Bangor). The same the higher-than-average rainfall rather than hayed. surveyors undertook a repeat survey experienced during this time. The in 2006. occurrence of surface pools during The picture in 2006 the spring, which are required by Why the wet meadows feeding lapwing and redshank chicks, The distribution of the MG8 grassland are special appeared to be causing a shift from resource appears to have remained wet meadow to fen mire and remarkably stable over the past The 1996 survey confirmed the swamp communities. decade, while its area has increased national importance of West by approximately 12%. This equates to Sedgemoor for meadow flora. Of To reverse this shift, the RSPB 24.8 ha on matched surveyed areas particular significance was the extent changed the hydrological (15.6 hectares on the RSPB holding). of grassland in the Calthion alliance, management across all the land for with 250 ha loosely referable to the which it had hydrological control Since 1996, there has been a NVC unit MG8 Cynosurus cristatus- (300 ha) to reduce the amount of reduction in the area of rye-grass Caltha palustris grassland. This surface water during spring. The key grassland, which has been replaced represents a staggering 25% of the elements of these changes were: by more diverse swards. Decreases national resource. A further 9 ha in areas of very wet communities were categorised as the species-rich • reducing target water levels in have also occurred, with sharp M22 Juncus subnodulosus-Cirsium March by 10 cm to reduce the declines apparent in the amount of palustre fen meadow; 80% of the surface water in the best quality rush mire and of open ruderal area of these communities occurred wet meadow fields communities of bare mud. These 48 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ) m ages.co m

declines have been matched by an the lapwing population has not been Andy Hay (rspb-i increase in short, closed, inundation able to achieve its full potential. grasslands of the creeping bent- marsh foxtail (MG13) community. Looking to the future

The figures indicate that, across the We are developing a good whole of West Sedgemoor SSSI over understanding of the requirements of the last 10 years, a combination of the vegetation communities on West hydrological management, land Sedgemoor. Our current work should management and climatic factors has lead to a revised definition of the MG8 resulted in an increase in the quantity community and more knowledge about of species-rich damp and wet the requirements of its sub-units. These meadows. Management changes findings will be applicable to the adopted by the RSPB in the late management of the MG8 resource 1990s have halted and slightly across the whole of the Somerset Numbers of breeding snipe have reversed the trend towards very wet Levels and Moors. The challenge over increased at West Sedgemoor vegetation types. However, reducing the coming years is to develop a more the extent of flooding into the late sustainable hydrological system for the spring has made it much more whole of the moor. This will need to difficult to manage the site for cater for the wide range of biodiversity breeding wading birds. With careful for which West Sedgemoor is noted management, it has been possible to and at the same time look to the future increase the population of snipe, but challenges caused by climate change.

Changes in vegetation communities over the last 10 years Reference: Wallace, H.L. and Prosser, M.V. (2002). 1996 survey 2006 survey 250 Botanical composition and conservation value of Cynosurus cristatus-Caltha palustris grassland at West Sedgemoor. 200 Somerset Archaeology and Natural History, 146,199-205 150 Thanks to our supporters:

Area (ha) The vegetation survey was supported 100 by funding from Natural England and the Environment Agency.

50 We would also like to thank the farmers and landowners on the Moor for their support in undertaking this work. 0 M22 on whole of survey area M22 on RSPB reserve MG8 on RSPB reserve MG8 on whole of survey area RSPB RESERVES 2007 49 Ben Hall (rspb-i m ages.co m )

Marsh marigold is a typical plant of the MG8 vegetation community

Legend to NVC map 2006 West Sedgemoor NVC Survey 2006 AgCx Inundation @Ecological Surveys (Bangor) 2007 M22 MG13 MG5 MG6 MG7A,B,D MG7C MG8(1) MG8(2) MG8(3) MG9 & 10 Woodland, NS OV28, Other MG Other mire Swamp

NVC communities in 2006 at West Sedgemoor 50 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

There were 266 calling male corncrakes on RSPB reserves in 2006

Corncrakes and the great yellow bumblebee

Both corncrakes and great yellow bumblebees are associated with low-intensity agricultural management, and have experienced widespread declines in the UK. In the north and west of Scotland we have been managing grasslands and areas of arable land to provide cover for corncrakes and sources of nectar and pollen for great yellow bumblebees.

AUTHOR: DAVE BEAUMONT RSPB RESERVES 2007 51 Andy Hay (rspb-i m ages.co m

Tackling the demise ) of the corncrake

Corncrakes have been in decline across their range due to changes in agriculture. In the mid 1980s, the RSPB began research on the negative effects of modern grassland management, seeking practical ways of reversing the decline of the corncrake. This research found that corncrakes require a patchwork of vegetation types. These include:

• early cover to conceal themselves in spring, and sometimes in which to nest • meadows with a relatively open structure in which to take their first brood and raise a second brood • cover at the end of the summer, in which to hide once other areas of grass have been mown for hay or Corner managed as early cover for corncrakes silage or grazed off by livestock.

Agricultural improvement removed central, uncut strip where they would Protection Areas (SPAs) for the features important for breeding be killed during the last pass of the corncrakes corncrakes and also reduced their mower. Later, incentives were added • partnerships and management breeding productivity. Cutting in early to encourage leaving corners or strips agreements with farmers and summer and cutting in a spiral from of hay or silage fields as early cover. crofters the outside of the field inwards killed Quick, early-growing plants such as • extensive provision of broods and adults. nettles, cow parsley and yellow flag management advice to land iris were introduced and encouraged managers and advisers Potential management solutions were through application of farm yard • including prescriptions in an tested through an experimental manure, old silage and compost. agri-environment incentive Corncrake Grant Scheme administered scheme. by the RSPB, in partnership with From the mid 1990s, the delivery of Scottish Natural Heritage and the prescriptions was expanded into a The results to date have been Scottish Crofters’ Union. Participants comprehensive recovery plan under spectacularly good. Overall, were asked to set back cutting dates the UK BAP. This involved a corncrakes have increased in the UK until after 1 August, with cutting combination of: by 239% between 1993 and 2006. carried out in strips or from the inside • acquiring new nature reserves The total UK population in 2006 was of the field out, so as not to for corncrakes 1,606 calling males (see page 11 for concentrate the corncrakes into a • designating areas as Special figures on RSPB reserves). 52 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ) m Benefits to rare ages.co

m bumblebees

The extensive land management practices that provide habitat for corncrakes can also provide suitable conditions for other species, Mike (rspb-i Edwards especially bumblebees. The majority of bumblebee species have suffered dramatic declines in the UK. Of the 25 native species, three are already extinct in the UK, nine are seriously threatened with extinction and 15 have undergone considerable population and range contractions. One of the seriously threatened species is the great yellow bumblebee Bombus distinguendus, a UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species for which the RSPB is jointly leading the work. This species was formerly widespread in the UK but has experienced a similar decline to that of the corncrake and is now found only on the Hebrides, and the north coast of Scotland. The ecology of the great yellow

Great yellow bumblebee on common knapweed bumblebee in the Hebrides has been investigated through an RSPB/NERC funded PhD at the Institute of

Flower useage from May to August, , 2005 (Charman 2007)

May June July August Birds−foot trefoil

White clover

Yellow rattle

Tufted vetch

Red clover

Spear thistle

Lesser burdock

Knapweed

Ragwort

Selfheal

Red bartsia RSPB RESERVES 2007 53 Gwyn Willia m s (RSPB)

Zoology, Zoological Society of newly emerged queen bees prior and the University of Cambridge. A to hibernation and to allow wild key requirement is a succession of flowers to set seed and replenish flowering plants providing nectar and the seedbank. pollen throughout the bee’s flight season from May to September. On To have a wider impact on the our reserves and other areas managed conservation of the great yellow and for corncrakes, the RSPB has been other bumblebees, large-scale adapting vegetation management to changes to grassland management provide suitable conditions for great are needed throughout the UK. As a yellow bumblebees and other rare first step to restoring such systems, bumblebees such as the Hebridean a partnership comprising the RSPB, moss carder bee Bombus muscorum. the Bumblebee Conservation Trust and the University of Stirling, is We are promoting the growth and funding research into cost-effective development of the favoured wild methods of returning agriculturally flowers within corncrake early cover improved grasslands to flower-rich areas, late-cut hay meadows and habitat. At first, this is being spring–sown arable cover crops. undertaken in the Hebrides on Crop mixtures have been developed machair grasslands that have lost that provide seeds for farmland their natural diversity of wild flowers Corncrake cover rich in wild birds, early cover for corncrakes and due to recent agricultural changes flowers to attract bumblebees nectar and pollen sources for and improvements. bumblebees, using, where possible, Chris Go local provenance wild flower seed Reference

supplied by Scotia Seeds, or Charman. T. (2007) Ecology and m ersall (rspb-i ersall collected by local volunteers. Conservation of the Great Yellow Bumblebee, Bombus distinguendus Hay and silage fields have been Morawitz. Unpublished PhD thesis, m modified by: Institute of Zoology & University of ages.co • incorporating less productive Cambridge. m

grasses into the mixture, so that ) they do not demand too much Thanks to our funders: nutrient and grow too dense early Esmée Fairbairn Foundation in the summer (through the Glasgow Natural • introducing red and white clover History Society), Scottish Natural to provide nectar and pollen Heritage, Community Environmental sources throughout the season Renewal Scheme managed by of activity Forward Scotland on behalf of the • avoiding use of high nutrient Scottish Executive, Heritage Lottery inputs and herbicides to promote Fund, Biodiversity Action Grant growth of wild flowers from Scheme supported by Scottish the seedbank Natural Heritage, European • holding back cutting dates to Agricultural Guidance & Guarantee mid-late August, or later where Fund and The Nàdair Trust. White clover is used by the great possible, to provide forage for yellow bumblebee 54 ) m ages.co m David Kjaer (rspb-i

Chalkhill blue butterflies have been attracted by the wild flowers sown

Chalk grassland re-creation in Wiltshire

The long-term aims of the RSPB’s chalk grassland project are to encourage stone-curlews to breed on semi-natural grassland and to re-create chalk grassland. In the last three years, we have acquired four reserves in Wiltshire; one freehold and three working in partnership with local farmers and landowners. Arable land is being reverted to chalk grassland at each of these reserves.

AUTHORS: TRACÉ WILLIAMS AND JANE SEARS RSPB RESERVES 2007 55 Richard Revels (rspb-i m ages.co The four reserves cover 567 ha, of • A second field was part arable, which 260 ha are currently under part set-aside. The competition m ) restoration or re-creation to chalk from arable weeds and grasses grassland, with plans to restore was thought to be too high for another 130 ha by 2010. They occupy herbs to establish. Therefore, after a prime location within the Wessex spraying the arable weeds, we stone-curlew range, between the two sowed the field with a grass mix largest tracts of unimproved chalk dominated by sheep’s fescue, grassland in the UK – Salisbury Plain red fescue and timothy to and Porton Down. We are aiming to provide short open grassland for create a landscape-scale area of chalk stone-curlews and lapwings. grassland that will form a stepping- • We have been attempting to stone between Porton Down and reduce the abundance of ranker Salisbury Plain for stone-curlews and grasses in the third field through other chalk grassland wildlife. topping and intensive sheep

grazing. We introduced yellow By 2010, 390 ha will undergo Normanton Down reserve rattle in the autumn of 2006 to restoration to chalk grassland help reduce grass growth and on our reserves in Wiltshire The RSPB has been managing 46 ha create a more open sward in of private farmland at Normanton which less competitive plant Down, within the Stonehenge World species can establish. Our achievements Heritage Site, since April 2004. The A pair of stone-curlews has continued reserve encompasses one of the to breed, raising one to two young most important Bronze Age each year. As a direct result of the cemeteries in England with 16 round Using green hay grazing, a new stone-curlew autumn barrows visible. We aim to restore The addition of green hay is roost has formed, containing 19 birds 42 ha of calcareous grassland from the most practical method of in 2005 and 22 in 2006. three fields of former arable land and diversifying the sward at many species-poor grassland, by sites because: The number of breeding lapwings has introducing chalk grassland grasses • it does not require remained stable at 10-12 pairs. Over and flowers. specialised harvesting the past three years, four pairs have equipment nested in the reversion grassland, Our management work • it is cheaper than other benefiting from the short sward and Following initial vegetation analysis, seeding or planting methods patches of bare ground created by we have been managing the three provided there is a suitable intensive sheep grazing in early spring. fields in different ways. source of green hay nearby • One field was already in reversion • it will usually contain a wider There has been a notable increase in under the Countryside range of suitable seed skylarks from 15 to 49 breeding pairs. Stewardship Scheme but was species of local provenance The site also attracts a range of dominated by a limited range of than commercially-grown seed. farmland birds, including breeding grass species. We have applied quails and wintering golden plovers, seed-rich green hay to introduce due to the mix of long and short characteristic chalk grassland grassland on the reserve and plant species. adjacent arable land. 56 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ) m

ages.co The wild flowers have attracted chalk m grassland butterflies, such as the chalkhill blue and dark green fritillary,

blin (rspb-i with large numbers of the common m blue, marbled white and small heath. An invertebrate survey in 2006 found Mark Ha an impressive range and number of species, with many surviving on the relict calcareous grassland on the burial mounds, including calcareous grassland specialists such as the stripe-winged grasshopper and the shield bug Legnotus limbosus.

Winterbourne Downs reserve

This reserve was acquired in December 2005 and comprises 296 ha of farmland with a mixture of habitats – arable, grassland, woodland and scrub. Our primary objective is to provide a safe haven for nesting stone-curlews on semi-natural habitat by creating a landscape-scale area of chalk grassland. We are aiming to re-create 160 ha of chalk grassland over the next five years to add to the existing 2 ha of species-rich grassland. One pair of stone-curlews has bred Carder bee feeding on purple cranesbill regularly on the farm over recent years, with two pairs breeding in

Rare invertebrates found on Normanton Down in 2006 Group Insect Species National Status Heteroptera Ground bug Stictopleurus abutilon Vagrant Diptera Hoverfly Cheilosia soror Nationally Scarce Diptera Robberfly Machimus rusticus Red Data Book 2 Diptera Picture-winged fly Acanthiophilus helianthi Nationally Scarce Diptera Picture-winged fly Chaetorellia loricata Red Data Book 2 Diptera Tachnid fly Cistogaster globosum Red Data Book 1 Hymenoptera Simple wasp Tiphia minuta Nationally Scarce B Hymenoptera Solitary bee Nomada flavopicta Nationally Scarce B Hymenoptera Solitary bee Melitta tricinta Nationally Scarce B Hymenoptera Bumblebee Bombus humilis BAP Priority species Hymenoptera Bumblebee Bombus ruderarius Proposed BAP Priority species Hymenoptera Bumblebee Bombus rupestris Nationally Scarce B Coleoptera Longhorn beetle Parcorymbia (Leptura) fulva Red Data Book 3 RSPB RESERVES 2007 57 Chris Knights (rspb-i

2006. The farm supports a good range of farmland birds and butterflies. m

Our management work ages.co In autumn 2006, following initial soil analysis, baseline botanical and m ) invertebrate surveys, harvesting of the cereal crop and herbicide spraying, the first 41 ha of arable land was sown with seed harvested from local flower-rich grasslands. We created experimental plots to investigate the establishment of chalk grassland using different sowing rates with additional yellow rattle. Chalk scrapes have been excavated to investigate the establishment of chalk flora.

Our achievements 2007 is the first spring for the reversion land and an encouraging 33 sown chalk grassland plant species have emerged, including salad burnet, kidney vetch, greater knapweed, birds-foot trefoil, lady’s bedstraw and hoary plantain. Annual surveys of the reversion fields will be undertaken in An autumn roost of stone-curlews has formed at June with help from the Wiltshire Normanton Down, containing 22 birds in 2006 Botanical Society. An initial invertebrate survey found several important species Our reserves form stepping stones between existing chalk grassland on other areas of the reserve, areas. We hope to inspire neighbouring land managers to join us in including the brown hairstreak realising the vision of reconnecting the landscape. butterfly, the brown-banded carder bee, and the hornet robber fly. This survey will be continued in 2007.

Thanks to our supporters: SALISBURY PLAIN SSSI We are grateful to the Heritage Lottery Fund, the SITA Trust and Cholderton Estate Natural England for their financial To Andover support. We would also like to thank the Winterbourne Downs farmers with whom we are working Normanton Down in partnership in the management of their land, and our volunteers who PORTON DOWN Suddern SSSI Hill have helped with seed sowing, To Wincanton survey work and scrub management. 58 ) m ages.co m David Levenson (rspb-iDavid Levenson

Pond dipping at Sandwell Valley RSPB RESERVES 2007 59

Reserves and people a review of 2006

Our nature reserves are special places that provide opportunities for our members and the public to interact with the RSPB – opportunities that help to foster a love of birds and of wildlife, an understanding of the importance of conservation and an awareness of the value of biodiversity. Wherever possible, we carry out our conservation work in ways that produce wider benefits, including public enjoyment and well-being, formal and informal education, ecosystem benefits and contributions to local economies.

RSPB reserves are popular across the UK for countryside recreation and tourism. Around 1.6 million people enjoyed walking or birdwatching at over 120 nature reserves in 2005–06, with many participating in a range of extra activities at our busiest sites. About half of all these visitors were RSPB members. 60 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

Enjoying the café at Old Moor

Something for everyone

It is an important element of just access to the countryside, but to field teaching for schools. We want to the RSPB’s charter to inspire enhance the experience where we connect our visitors with nature, and enthuse people about can, with guided walks and open constantly developing new ways to wildlife. We aim to offer more than days for the general visitor, talks and tell stories about the environment and thus gain support for conservation. Visits to all RSPB reserves

1,800,000 Reserve visitors are an important 1,600,000 source of new members to the 1,400,000 1,200,000 Society. In 2005–06, reserve teams 1,000,000 recruited 9,321 new members – our

ber of visits 800,000 best result ever. Reserve visitors also m 600,000 Nu 400,000 support our conservation work by 200,000 buying binoculars, telescopes, or 0 items from our birdcare ranges in our shops or simply by enjoying a meal or 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 1999-00 coffee and cake in our cafés.

Visiting in 2001–02 was affected by Foot and Mouth disease restrictions RSPB RESERVES 2007 61 Andy Hay (rspb-i m ages.co m )

Minibeast hunt at Lochwinnoch

Innovative events

At our key reserves, dedicated weeks of events, including a Blacktoft Sands are always staff try to meet every visitor, week of Discovering Arne with well attended. and organise events and the wardens, a family fun • Twilight tours and the Wild garden activities all year round. weekend, a legacy event, a VIP weekend are just two of the event with MP Jim Knight, music events put on for the local • Night noises at , on the heath, an RSPB birthday community at Rye Meads. Special Ugly bug weekends at Conwy and party and the Arne open weekend wildlife clubs during the school Winter warmer wildfowl events at – all very well attended. holidays for children at Sandwell Ouse Washes are just some of • The teddy bears’ picnics at Valley were fully booked. the events that have been Ynys-hir and Mawddach proved organised for local people to popular again, with a large inspire them about wildlife. proportion of returning visitors; • Minibeast safaris at The Lodge and literally coach loads of local were a great success, especially groups attended the woodland with children, and the Night and dawn chorus walks. creatures event at Pulborough • Spectacular and iconic birds are Brooks was over-subscribed. always popular; black grouse • When Arne reserve turned 40, safaris at Corrimony reserve staff celebrated in style with two and Christmas harrier walks at 62 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

A lesson outdoors at Fowlmere

Living classrooms

In an age when children’s school in 2006, an increase of 16% reserves. What better location freedom to explore is being on the year before. Pulborough to learn about birds and the whittled away by safety Brooks, one of our well-established RSPB’s work? concerns and the pressures of education programmes, inspired over modern life, our nature reserves 4,600 children about the wildlife of To ensure that any child’s visit to an provide a vital facility for the Arun Valley – topping our annual RSPB reserve is a safe and enjoyable discovering the natural world. participation chart for reserve school one, whether as part of a school visits. One of our newest schemes, group or with their family, we have School visits offer children of all ages at Old Moor in South Yorkshire, published a set of standards for all of and backgrounds the chance to exceeded targets after only three our reserves. The standards, which experience, first-hand, the wonderful years, providing 4,200 children with a reflect the variety of reserves within world of birds and wildlife and wild learning experience. Our our network and the needs and potentially to spark a lifelong interest reserves network is a fantastic expectations of families who visit and concern. Some 45,000 children resource for RSPB Wildlife Explorers, them, will help us to provide great visited an RSPB reserve with their with 14 groups now based at RSPB days out for everyone. RSPB RESERVES 2007 63 Peter Cairns (rspb-i m Volunteering ages.co m

Residential volunteering ) Reserves are popular locations for people to contribute to our work through volunteering. One option is our residential scheme, available at 37 reserves throughout the UK, where volunteers stay at, or close to, a reserve for any length of time from a week to a year. Many volunteers take part in this scheme as a starting point for a career in conservation. 307,430 hours of Practical conservation work were carried The work of volunteers is essential to the successful management of out by 3,435 our reserves. In return for their volunteers – the time, volunteers learn more about equivalent of 158 conservation work, meet new extra full-time staff friends, keep fit and watch their working on the work benefiting the environment. Our volunteers are involved in reserves. This is building stock fences and new worth £1.9 million at hides, clearing paths for visitors, £6.25 per hour. creating ponds for natterjack toads and dragonflies, planting hedges to attract nesting songbirds, putting up and monitoring nestboxes, and ‘I chose the RSPB because I like outdoor work and had spent several carrying out bird surveys. months in my house not really mixing with other people. I thought this would be a good opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy some Reserve shops and tearooms physically demanding work whilst meeting like-minded – and RSPB nature reserves with shops hopefully not judgemental – people. I am not really a birder and do and tearooms are found throughout struggle with names and calls from time to time but since I joined the UK and there is a wealth of the RSPB as a volunteer I have greatly improved. volunteering involvement. Volunteers meet and greet visitors, ‘Tasks like digging holes are a real source of stress relief and act as a serve tea and cakes, sell binoculars therapy and a way of letting off some steam. I can also feel myself and telescopes, help with getting fitter and stronger and this all adds to my confidence.’ stocktaking and much more. DAVID CREW, RESERVE MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEER – RYE MEADS 64 Anthony McGeehan (RSPB) Anthony

Black-tailed godwit

Belfast Lough’s bird spectacle

At Belfast Lough we have been using novel feeding techniques to attract birds spectacularly close to the visitor centre for people to enjoy. Black-tailed godwits and the usually shy water rail can be seen at such close range that there is no need for binoculars!

AUTHOR: ANTHONY MCGEEHAN RSPB RESERVES 2007 65 Steve Knell (rspb-i

The tables have been turned at Belfast Lough. The last millennium

chronicled the destruction of most of m ages.co the area’s inter-tidal mudflats; but in the twenty-first century, things have m changed for the better. Although Chris Go ) some bird populations lost out, others have acquired new habitats on the back of port expansion. Lagoons originally created to receive dredged mud now play host to wintering ducks, geese and swans and migrating wading birds. Belfast Lough is now a stamp album of wetland habitats, with reedbeds, wet grassland and freshwater pools nestling below cranes and in the lee Common tern of oil terminals, while cockle-shell- covered islands attract large numbers of nesting common terns. in turn attract feeding wigeons and wading birds that do not eat the Despite the attractiveness of the site, millet itself, but naturally associate roosting waterbirds usually remained amongst or on the edges of flocks of m ersall (rspb-i ersall relatively distant from the visitor feeding godwits. centre and difficult to see. To improve the spectacle for visitors, a novel Over the last seven years, viewing m feeding regime was introduced. We distances have shrunk to ten metres. ages.co were careful to plan this within RSPB Visitors are indoors and behind glass m policy, so that the amounts of food picture windows. The birds can see – ) used were not enough to artificially but not hear – the people. The results support a bird population, but only are breathtaking – black-tailed served to attract them closer. Initially, godwits and other fantastic birds wild bird mix (a mix of coarse and within the minimum focusing fine seeds) was broadcast along the distance of one’s binoculars! water’s edge. This was successful in attracting birds, but these were Reference: mainly mallards, which kept most McGeehan, A. (2005). Artificial other birds away. The seed was feeding to attract wild birds close to a gradually changed to white millet. By viewing area at Belfast Lough scattering the millet thinly over a Reserve, Antrim, Northern Ireland. wide area, it was possible to attract a Conservation Evidence, 2, 28-20. wider range of birds, but without (www.conservationevidence.com) enticing large numbers of the bolder mallards, which do not find it Thanks to our funders: worthwhile feeding on the widely Belfast City Council, Better Belfast scattered, tiny seeds. The millet Landfill Communities Fund, Biffaward attracts large numbers of feeding and the Environment & Heritage black-tailed godwits and teals. These Service (NI). 66 ages m artini m

The Lakeside Hide at Sandwell Valley

Sandwell Valley in the community

RSPB reserves welcome a diversity of visitors across all age groups, from the under-fives to the over-50s. We are proud to be a friendly and accessible resource for our local communities.

Sandwell Valley is an oasis of wetland wildlife in the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, offering a wide range of activities to involve local people.

AUTHORS: MIKE POLLARD AND LEE COPPLESTONE RSPB RESERVES 2007 67 Andy Hay (rspb-i m ages.co m )

Over 3,000 children attended the Living Classroom programme in 2006

Every week at Sandwell Valley, under- regularly for recreation and education. bat and moth evenings and fives and their parents, grandparents Young people from the Youth newcomers hone their identification and childminders meet to take part in Offending Service take part in work skills in Birdwatching Basics courses. Baby Birds, our parent and toddler parties on the reserve, doing useful group. At the other end of the scale, path-work and scrub clearance. Other Our visitors have been able to get members of the RSPB Over-50s visitors include home-educated wonderful close-up views of wild group meet monthly to enjoy banter children, church groups, Brownies, birds from our innovative Lakeside and birds. They often joke about the Cubs, Rainbows and Beavers – the Hide. The hide sits in the water at the name of their group, suggesting that list goes on. edge of Forge Mill Lake, overlooking they should re-name themselves the an island with muddy margins, which Over-60s, after forming more than ten It is not just a variety of ages that we attracts lapwings, little ringed plovers years ago. cater for at Sandwell. People and many ducks, geese and swans. from varied social and ethnic groups The hide is open daily and is reached School-age children also enjoy time at have benefited from our innovative via a swing bridge, which pivots on a the reserve, whether taking part in community engagement horizontal swivel bearing – the same formal curriculum-based learning, programme and have contributed to as used on an articulated lorry. This attending family events or dropping in special projects such as creating an allows the bridge to be swung away to use the telescopes. Over 3,000 audio guide and designing a from the hide and locked at the end children attend the Living Classroom decorative gateway. of the afternoon. Each day a programme with their teachers each volunteer ‘guide in the hide’ year and a further 1,000 are taught The programme of reserve events welcomes visitors and helps show by our Field Teachers as part of our and activities offers something for them the birds and other wildlife work with schools. everyone. Teenagers take on the interest. The hide is a great facility for challenge of photo-orienteering our school groups to use, and has More than 60 volunteers regularly activities; families enjoy making been a big hit with local wildlife support our work on the reserve and nestboxes, seasonal guided walks, photographers. in the visitor centre. and bird ringing events. Early risers can choose to join our dawn chorus A surprising number of international Adults with extra support needs visit walks, night owls come along to our visitors travel to Sandwell Valley too. 68 RSPB RESERVES 2007 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

Sandwell Valley

BirdLife Partners from the Caribbean, the Middle East and Greece have all Natural health included Sandwell on their schedule. Conservation professionals from the Public health problems present chronic and expensive challenges to the USA, India and South Africa have UK: each year physical inactivity costs us over £8 billion, and the total been to see us to learn more about cost of mental health care in England is £41.8 billion. how we run urban reserves in the UK. Students from Poland, teachers Two reports commissioned by the RSPB and written by Dr William Bird, from Iceland and holidaymakers from Natural Fit and Natural Thinking, analyse the evidence linking physical Hong Kong have called in at the and mental health to the natural environment. It shows the value of reserve recently. access to nature reserves in terms of physical and mental health.

Thanks to our supporters: ‘The countryside can be seen as a great outpatient department whose The new gateway and audio guide therapeutic value is yet to be fully realised’. Dr William Bird, report author. were supported by Wildspace! through the English Nature and New Natural health for national fitness Opportunities partnership. A legacy Green space has a key role to play in the drive to increase levels of from Kathleen Norah Jordan funded physical activity across the nation. Detailed studies of two recent the hide and swing bridge. Ibstock schemes that use the natural environment to promote fitness – Health Cory Environmental Trust through the Walks and The Green Gym – show that being in contact with nature Landfill Communities Fund has both encourages people to take exercise and sustains their participation supported reserve improvement work in physical activity. over a number of years. Other work at Sandwell has been made possible Nature reduces stress thanks to support from numerous Access to green space can also help alleviate a range of mental health charitable trusts. problems. For example, contact with nature reduces stress within minutes, increases the elderly’s satisfaction with where they live and improves children’s concentration and self-discipline, including the symptoms of attention deficit disorder (ADD).

Fit for the future The RSPB believes that public health can be increased cheaply and sustainably by combining the provision of natural green space with local opportunities for social and outdoor facilities.

For further information, including the two reports, visit www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/health RSPB RESERVES 2007 69 David Levenson (rspb-i m ages.co m )

At Sandwell Valley, a two-mile Health Walk has been established around the reserve. 70 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

Freiston Shore, where the RSPB has worked in partnership with the Environment Agency to improve the sustainability of The Wash coastline RSPB RESERVES 2007 71

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. 72 Sally Mills (RSPB) Sally

In-vessel composting at Ham Wall – loading the pod with green material

Composting at Ham Wall

At the RSPB’s Ham Wall reserve in Somerset, we have been restoring wetland habitats on 225 ha of former peat extraction land. We now face the challenge of maintaining this large area of maturing wetland dominated by reedbed.

AUTHOR: SALLY MILLS RSPB RESERVES 2007 73 Sally Mills (RSPB)

Reedbeds are early successional habitats and wet conditions can make them difficult to manage. However, at Ham Wall we are trialing a range of long-term management techniques, combining the use of grazing animals and mechanical cutting with specialist machinery.

One aspect of this work is a rejuvenation project, in which we are planning to return 10 ha of reedbed to an earlier successional stage and hold it there. Our objective is to do this on a long-term rotation, with the aim of introducing more dynamics into the system, by the use of water, grazing animals, and by allowing the reed to recolonise naturally over time. The use of specialist machinery has facilitated this work, but has also enabled us to trial another project – removing the cut material from the reedbed and processing it through composting. Restored reedbed on areas of former peat extraction

The composting trial has shown that processing this harvested material into a soil conditioner is a viable scale, the project has given us the method of disposal, producing a opportunity to talk to local people product that could be of high value. about the unsustainability of peat Not only have we found a solution to extraction and importance of our conservation management developing alternatives. Then there is problem, but we have opened up the hot issue of climate change and new opportunities for reaching carbon reduction to be tackled. A bag different groups of people, of compost from the reserve enables demonstrating management us to explain the role that peat practices, and communicating alternatives have to play in allowing important messages. peat to be left in the ground, preventing further carbon release. Located in an area traditionally known for peat extraction, the production of There are numerous composting compost at the reserve is proving techniques, often accompanied by quite a talking point with the local common concerns about by-products people. Although currently on a small such as smell, bio aerosols, vermin, 74 RSPB RESERVES 2007 Jane Brookhouse (RSPB) Jane

Distributing compost to local people

dust and leachate or pollution. These tonnes of compost. The whole by-products are commonly associated process can take as little as with open windrows, when the 12 weeks. material is laid in rows, which are turned regularly and are open to the We have run trials on the compost air. However, there are other methods produced, and the volunteers have such as in-vessel composting, in had great success with growing a which, as the name suggests, the range of vegetables, with broad material is composted in a container beans doing particularly well. The or bag. By putting the material into material has now been tested as a bags or pods, the effect of the viable soil conditioner and we are composting process on the investigating packaging this product surrounding area is minimal. to encourage reusable bags and product loyalty, together with As the material is loaded, a plastic promotion of the RSPB. perforated pipe is installed, which runs the length of the pod. This pipe Face-to-face distribution of the then disperses air generated by a compost presents the opportunity to solar-powered fan, to aid the reach a new audience and recruit composting process. Once full, each memberships (81% of people who pod is 60 metres in length, 1.5 have received Ham Wall compost to metres wide and produces about 50 date were non members). For such RSPB RESERVES 2007 75 Sally Mills (RSPB)

a low-key visitor site, this presents an important chance to meet new local people.

The success of this project has given Ham Wall a new, more holistic, perspective on its habitat management work, enabling decisions to be made about the way in which we manage the habitat and the types of machinery we use.

Both projects have changed the way we run the reserve and we can now approach management of the reedbed as a complete process, with 10 ha undergoing rejuvenation on rotation and all the material we Full circle – reed seedlings grown in Ham Wall reed compost cut and remove fuelling our composting operation. Reedbed management is not seen as a problem any more but rather as an Sally Mills (RSPB) opportunity – a way to increase communication, to raise money to help fund further conservation work, to reach more people, and to recruit members. But most of all, this approach will allow the reserve to grow, as we can now take bigger areas, with the underlying thought that that we will be able to manage them without too great a demand on existing resources.

Thanks to our funders: SITA Trust, Somerset Levels & Moors LEADER+ and Somerset County Council.

Area recently restored to wetland at Ham Wall 76 es Brittain m Ja

Rainham Marshes are grazed year-round by cattle

Award-winning visitor centre for Rainham

Rainham Marshes is a wetland reserve managed primarily for breeding and wintering waterbirds and water voles. Its location on the edge of London provides a great opportunity to introduce people to the importance of wetlands and the fascinating wildlife that lives here.

Our innovative visitor centre incorporates best practice in sustainable building design and has won a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) National Award for architectural excellence (one of only 14 nationally) and a Green Apple Built Environment Award.

AUTHOR: NEIL KELLYTHORN RSPB RESERVES 2007 77 es Brittain m Ja Sustainable design in practice limited by having high standards The new Environmental and Education of insulation, building air-tightness Centre overlooks a wide stretch of the and controlled ventilation. The Thames at Purfleet and the open main space takes advantage of expanse of what was an MoD shooting south-facing glazing, with shading range and is now an extensive wetland specifically designed to admit and wet grassland landscape. Its winter sun. As a result, the colourful presence has been compared heating demands are half those of to bird plumage or army camouflage. a typical building. Colour aside, its most noticeable • A ground-source heat exchanger The café features are the two translucent cones provides the principal heating that rise out of the roof of the building, system for the building. Six `U’ reminiscent perhaps of the funnels of loop pipes are sunk 80 metres would enable the RSPB to realise ships that frequently pass up and into the ground. Water flowing its aspirations for a carbon neutral down the Thames. from the heat exchanger into the building that would generate a ground will return 2°C warmer. small surplus. The building serves as an excellent The heat pump absorbs the heat example of sustainable design in from the water through the It is hoped that the Environment and practice, with a number of state-of- exchanger and uses a Education Centre will inspire good the-art environmental features: thermodynamic compression architectural practice in sustainable process to elevate the water design and renewable energy • The roof cones allow for the flexible temperature up to 35°C. For each generation as part of the UK’s strategy compartmentation of the building’s unit of electricity used in running for combating future climate change. interior. They help maintain levels of the heat pump, the equivalent of natural daylight and ventilation to up to four units of heat are Thanks to our funders: provide a comfortable environment produced. The carbon intensity of Heritage Lottery Fund, Thurrock for staff and visitors. the heat pump is a third of that of Thames Gateway Development • High-efficiency lighting systems electric heating and half that of an Corporation (TTGDC), Veolia ES minimise the dependency on equivalent gas heating system. Cleanaway Havering Riverside Trust, artificial lighting in daylight hours. Communities and Local Government,

Movement sensors in offices and As a result, CO2 emissions associated South Essex Green Grid / Thames public areas ensure that lighting is with heating demands are 75% lower Gateway South Essex Partnership, switched off when unoccupied. than those of a typical building. City Bridge Trust, Energy Savings Trust. • Carbon dioxide sensors in the During the summer, the system public areas automatically operate works in reverse to remove the window vents and the cone build-up of heat within the building ventilation terminals when needed. and discharge it back into the ground. These can be overridden by outdoor weather sensors if rain or Most of the control systems are The Environment and Education Centre strong winds are detected by the monitored and managed es Brittain

Building Management System. automatically through the Building m Ja • A prominent photovoltaic panel Management System for optimum array on the roof provides an output performance. of 10 MW/hrs of energy per year for a building estimated to use only We have submitted a planning 19 MW/hrs of energy per year. application for a new 15 KW wind • The building’s heating needs are turbine on site. If approved, it 78 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

Livestock are checked regularly on RSPB reserves

RSPB graziers and the Single Payment Scheme

Access to livestock is very important to the RSPB and we have partnerships with a great many farmers to help with the management of our land. These range from grazing lets to Farm Business Tenancies and farming partnerships, and vary with the different systems of the countries of the UK.

In 2004, with the introduction of the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), it was recognised that there would be significant changes in the livestock sector. Around 70% of the gross margin per ha on finished livestock was made up of direct subsidies, which were to be phased out. The reforms had the potential to reduce the gross margins by up to 20% by 2008 and by up to 35% by 2012. We have worked with our graziers to reduce the impact of these reforms on them.

AUTHOR: IAN BAKER RSPB RESERVES 2007 79 Andy Hay (rspb-i m

We considered the 2004 agricultural ages.co reforms in the light of the special circumstances of our graziers on the m ) reserves. Many of them were running extensive (and not intensive) systems, often with agri-environment schemes. The seasonal use of RSPB land was more restricted than in a typical commercial system, because most grazing is required after ground- nesting birds have finished breeding and often has to be completed before the site becomes too wet. Very often, graziers faced higher transport costs for reaching some of the more remote reserves, or in moving livestock from the traditional grazing Reserve staff work closely with local farmers to achieve optimum areas of the UK to washland reserves habitat conditions in the Eastern Counties. In short, there was a clear risk that the number of graziers able to work with to graze RSPB reserves in preference As a result, there was a major the RSPB would dwindle. to other sites. New grazing organisational change from annual agreements were necessary to meet agreements to Farm Business So what did the RSPB do about it? It the SPS conditions, depending on Tenancies of three years or longer, was recognised that historic whether the intention was to grant allowing a more stable grazing payments (based on the average the grazier payment or to retain it management regime to develop. subsidy a farmer will have received within the RSPB. The greatest change In England, for example, 93 of the in the period 2000–02) would go by was the failure of the old agreements 177 graziers elected to take longer default direct to the graziers and to grant 10 months’ occupation as agreements and the area payments. probably to their owned land or main required by the SPS regulations: Graziers have remained loyal to the holding. Some of the RSPB tenants consequently solicitors reviewed all RSPB and are regularly returning would also be entitled to receive area grazing agreements. stock to ‘their’ reserve for the payments (subsidy within a region summer. On RSPB reserves, we paid out at the same rate per At the same time, decisions were expect to receive approximately hectare). It was estimated that being taken to register all reserve 5,000 cattle and 17,000 sheep about 3,900 ha in England (17% of land on the Rural Payments Agency in 2007. the farmed area of 23,000 ha) and (RPA) IACS Rural Land Register by about 5,000 ha (22%) in Scotland, 15 May 2005. Land agents visited our used by graziers who had claimed 380 graziers to establish: subsidies from 2000–02, would be • the need of each one and the role owned by the RSPB but remain of the reserve land within their without any entitlement. farming business • who would be applying for the The RSPB decided to secure the area SPS entitlements on each site payments but be prepared to pay • terms for occupation for the next them to the graziers as an incentive grazing season and beyond. 80 ) m ages.co m Andy Hay (rspb-i

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 and statutory and government agencies for the support we have received. A comprehensive list of our funders and supporters for the financial years 2005–6 and 2006–7 can be found in the relevant RSPB Annual Report.

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

The RSPB

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

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

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

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

The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and wildlife, helping to create a better world for us all. We belong to BirdLife International, the global partnership of bird BirdLife INTERNATIONAL 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: Black-tailed godwit at Belfast Lough by Anthony McGeehan (RSPB) Registered charity England & Wales no 207076, Scotland no SCO37654 120-1751-06-07 £7.00