Rfalconcam Forum

The 40 birds highlighted in the Safeguarding Species report published, span the range from the once-familiar house sparrows of Central London to the enigmatic and mournful black-throated divers of lochs of the Scottish Flow Country.

Dr Mark Avery, the RSPB’s Conservation Director, said: “For 120 years the RSPB has been spearheading the protection of the UK’s birds. We have done this by working with government, organisations and individuals. In hard times, we need to prioritise by working with those birds that most need the nation’s help. Today we’re calling on politicians, business leaders and the third sector to save these priority species for future generations to enjoy.

“Throughout history, birds like the cuckoo, house sparrow, skylark, turtle dove and the swift have been a part of our countryside. Now that more birds are sinking towards oblivion they need us more than ever. We want to ensure that birds have a strong future as well as a strong past.”

The 40 species identified as priorities by the RSPB include:

10 species, including kestrel, cuckoo and swift, which need more research into their declines
12 species, including house sparrow, lapwing and turtle dove, where possible solutions to help reverse declines need to be tested
and 18 species, including bittern, red kite, skylark and cirl bunting, where populations are in recovery but they need continued help for this recovery to be maintained.
The UK’s birds are struggling for several reasons, including: changes in farming practice; a lack of woodland management; drainage of wetlands; habitat destruction; climate change; development; and a reduction in the number of insects in urban areas.

The document identifies how each species can be helped. Some will benefit from nature reserves and their management, others from wildlife-friendly farming schemes. For many species site protection measures are vital to protect their habitat, whilst others still suffer from illegal persecution.

Eighteen of the 40 species are already on the road to recovery, but the report highlights these recoveries could be undermined without continued help. Dr Mark Avery added: “The UK recovery of birds like the Dartford warbler, red kite, stone-curlew, cirl bunting and bittern have been based on a three-way partnership of government funding, conservation expertise and landowner involvement; cuts in government funding threaten to hack a leg from the stool, possibly plunging these species into crisis once more.”