BOU Proceedings

Welcome to BOUPROC.net

2011-12-14T02:43:00.001-08:00

This site includes details of all recent BOU conference proceedings whether online or offline publications. Use the index below or the links on the left to find the conference proceedings you are looking for.

PROCEEDINGS INDEX

Subject and title index for all BOU conference proceedings.
Items in italics are titles of publications.
Avian extinction (in Recent avian extinctions) - offline

Bird Conservation: the science and the action - offline

Birds as predators and as prey - online

Birds and recreational disturbance - online

Climate change

- in Climate change and birds - online
- in Climate change and coastal birds - online
- in Wind, fire and water: renewable energy and birds - online

Climate Change and Birds - online

Climate Change and Coastal Birds - online

Coastal birds (in Climate change and coastal birds) - online

Congressus Internationalis Ornithologici - offline

Escaped and released species

- in The impacts of non-native species - online

- in The introduction and naturalisation of birds - online

Disturbance (in Birds and recreational disturbance) - online

Farmland birds

- in The Ecology and Conservation of Lowland Farmland Birds - online
- in Lowland Farmland Birds II: the road to recovery - online

- in Lowland Farmland Birds III: delivering solutions in an uncertain world - online

Introduced species

- in The impacts of non-native species - online

- in The introduction and naturalisation of birds - online

Introduction and naturalisation of birds - online

Lowland Farmland Birds I: ecology and conservation) - online

Lowland Farmland Birds II: the road to recovery - online

Lowland Farmland Birds III: delivering solutions in an uncertain world - online

Migrants/migration (in The ecology and conservation of Palaearctic-African migrants) - offline

Migrants/migration (in The ecology and conservation of migratory birds) - online

Migratory Birds: their ecology and conservation - online

Museums (in Why museums matter: avian archives in the age of extinction) - offline

Non-native species

- in The impacts of non-native species - online

- in The introduction and naturalisation of birds - online

Naturalised birds (in Introduced and naturalised birds) - online

Predators (in Birds as predators and as prey) - online

Prey (in Birds as predators and as prey) - online

Recreational disturbance (in Birds and recreational disturbance) - online

Recent avian extinctions - offline

Renewable energy (in Wind, fire and water: renewable energy and birds) - online

The ecology and conservation of lowland farmland birds - online

The ecology and conservation of migratory birds - online

The ecology and conservation of Palaearctic-African migrants - offline

The Impacts of Non-native Species - online

Why museums matter: avian archives in the age of extinction - offline

Wind, fire and water: renewable energy and birds - online

Woodland birds: their ecology and management - online

MIGRATORY BIRDS: THEIR ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION

2011-12-08T09:32:00.001-08:00

The proceedings of the BOU's 2011 Annual Conference supported by

BTO, JNCC, RSPB, University of Edinburgh and University of Sheffield

CONFERENCE RESOLUTION

A resolution from the conference formed part of BirdLife International's presentation (Migratory Landbirds in the African-Eurasian Region) to the 17th meeting of the Scientific Council of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), Bergen, Norway, 17-18 November.

View resolution

PAPERS PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE

The ecology of bird migration patterns

Ian Newton

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Long-term population declines of Palearctic passerine migrant birds: a signal from the Sahel?

Bruno A. Walther, Adriaan Van Niekerk & Carsten Rahbek

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Migratory birds: current knowledge – future perspectives

Franz Barlein

Article | File loaded 20/01/12

Getting to the Arctic on time: adaptive resource management of Horseshoe Crabs to protect migrating Red Knot

Nigel A. Clark, Phil W. Atkinson, Jacquie Clark, Simon Gillings & Robert A. Robinson

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

The role of exo- and endogenous parameters on departure decisions of a long-distance migratory passerine

Miren Andueza, Juan Arizaga, Eduardo Belda & Emilio Barba

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Urbanization effects on migration behaviour of short-distance migratory birds

Mikkel Willemoes Kristensen & Kasper thorup

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Drivers of population trends in Willow Warblers in the UK

Catriona A. Morisson, Robert A. Robinson, Jacquie Clark & Jennifer A. Gill

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Food supply and breeding productivity: a possible mechanism linking migratory bird populations and climate change

Adam Seward, Rob Thomas, Colin Beale, Lucy Gilbert & Hefin Jones

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Migratory bird conservation at the flyway scale: approaches to practical implementation in Africa–Eurasia

Tim Stowe, Leon Bennun, Nicola Crockford, Richard Grimmett, Vicky Jones & Danaë Sheehan

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Trade-offs between shorter migration and warmer winters: carry-over effects of winter site choice in migratory shorebirds

José A. Alves, Tomas G. Gunnarsson, Daniel Hayhow, Peter M. Potts, William J. Sutherland & Jennifer A. Gill

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Cues and the optimal timing of migration under environmental changes

Silke Bauer & Lucas Jenni

Article | File loaded 15/12/11

Population-level responses of migratory birds to environmental change

Jennifer Gill

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Migratory birds and climatic change

Brian Huntley, Michael Brooks & Nathalie Doswald

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Evolution does not optimize - should we?

Hanna Kokko

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Studying birds in the context of the annual cycle: carry-over effects and seasonal interactions

Peter P. Marra

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Can we study the winter distribution of Aquatic Warblers with feather isotope analyses?

Steffen Oppel, Deborah J. Pain, Jeremy Lindsell, Lars Lachmann, Ibrahima Diop, Cosima Tegetmeyer, Paul F. Donald, Guy Anderson, Christopher G. R. Bowden, Franziska Tanneberger & Martin Flade

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Large scale patterns of demography in Palearctic warblers

Rob Robinson, Sarah Eglington & Ali Johnston

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Who is who? – Olivaceous Warblers in West Africa

Volker Salewski

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Assessing the migration routes of the Sociable Lapwing using historical records and satellite telemetry

Rob D. Sheldon, Johannes Kamp, Maxim Koshkin & Paul F. Donald

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Hundreds of ringers and one million of Swallows: large-scale joint efforts to unravel the journeys of a symbol of migration

Fernando Spina

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Changes in blood stable isotopes plasma corticosterone and body mass in exercising birds using a wind tunnel

Ellie Yohannes, Marc Jochimsen & Michael Raß

Article | File loaded 20/01/12

EU Species Action Plan for the Corncrake

Norbert Schäffer & Boris Barov

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Policy perspectives: what will migrant birds need in the future?

Ian Bainbridge

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

The science and the art of international action planning for migratory birds

Tim Jones

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

ABSTRACTS OF POSTERS PRESENTED AT THE CONFERENCE

The benefit of early Arctic snowmelt for Pink-footed Geese

Helen Anderson, Tom Godfrey, Sarah Woodin, Christiaane Hübner & René van der Wal

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

Migratory bird stopover physiology: comparison of an urban and a rural site

Rachel B. Bricklin & J. Alan Clark

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

Which habitats are important for retaining territorial Turtle Doves in the UK?

Jenny C Dunn & Tony J Morris

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

The White Stork Project of Hiddensee Bird Ringing Center, Germany

Ute Eggers, Ulrich Köppen & Dieter Wallschläger

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

Pacific traveller – the epic migration of the long-tailed cuckoo

Brian Gill & Mark Hauber

Abstract | File loaded 20/01/12

Investigating the decline of the wood warbler in Western Atlantic Oakwoods

John W. Mallord, Andrew Cristinacce, Christopher J. Orsman & Elisabeth C. Charman

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

Reed and Sedge Warblers autumn migration at Lake Pape, Latvia – comparison of morphometric analyses from the late 1980s to the late 2000s

Mārtiņš Briedis

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

Do meteorological conditions explain new migratory routes? The case of the autumn migration of the Eurasian Crane in Italy

T. Mingozzi, P. Storino, G. Venuto, G. Alessandria, E. Arcamone, S. Urso, L. Ruggieri, L. Massetti & A. Massolo

Article | File loaded 13/12/11

The magnitude and timing of migration by soaring storks and raptors in the Straits of Gibraltar: an updated study

Alejandro Onrubia, Gonzalo Muñoz, Antonio Roman Muñoz, Andres de la Cruz, Luis Barrios& Ian Newton

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

Effects of miniaturized geolocators on parental care and quality of offspring of Barn Swallow in Southern Switzerland

Chiara Scandolara, Felix Liechti, Arianna Rossi, Giovanni Sgarbi & Nicola Saino

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

The ecology and morphological adaptations of Oriental Honey-buzzards

Holly Sievwright & Hiroyoshi Higuchi

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

The effect of weather conditions on the migration route of Grey-faced Buzzards breeding in Japan

Shoko Sugasawa, Noriyuki Yamaguchi & Hiroyoshi Higuchi

Abstract | File loaded 15/12/11

Seasonal and annual shifts in the moulting ecology of Black-necked Grebes as revealed using stable isotopes

Nico Varo, Juan A. Amat, Cristina Ramo, Andy Green & Marta Sánchez

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

The response of Light-vented Bulbul to global warming in China

Longying Wen_,Huigen He & Naifa Liu

Article | File loaded 20/01/12

Effectiveness of an Important Bird Area for the conservation of wintering passerines: a case-study of Mole National Park in Ghana

Robbert Wolf

Abstract | File loaded 13/12/11

Migratory Birds, a conference organised by Helen Baker (JNCC), Danaë Sheehan (RSPB), Jacquie Clark (BTO), Karl Evans (University of Sheffield), Peter Jones (Edinburgh University), Phil Atkinson (BTO), Steve Dudley (BOU) and Angela Langford (BOU) on behalf of the British Ornithologists’ Union.

The BOU is grateful to the individual speakers and their respective organisations for presenting their work at the conference.

Welcome to BOUPROC.net

2010-11-10T03:44:00.001-08:00

PROCEEDINGS INDEX

Subject and title index for all BOU conference proceedings.
Items in italics are titles of publications.

Avian extinction (in Recent avian extinctions) - offline

Bird Conservation: the science and the action - offline

Birds as predators and as prey - online

Birds and recreational disturbance - online

Climate change

- in Climate change and birds - online
- in Climate change and coastal birds - online
- in Wind, fire and water: renewable energy and birds - online

Climate Change and Birds - online

Climate Change and Coastal Birds - online

Coastal birds (in Climate change and coastal birds) - online

Congressus Internationalis Ornithologici - offline

Escaped and released species
- in The impacts of non-native species - online
- in The introduction and naturalisation of birds - online

Disturbance (in Birds and recreational disturbance) - online

Farmland birds

- in The Ecology and Conservation of Lowland Farmland Birds - online
- in Lowland Farmland Birds II: the road to recovery - online

- in Lowland Farmland Birds III: delivering solutions in an uncertain world - online

Introduced species
- in The impacts of non-native species - online
- in The introduction and naturalisation of birds - online

Introduction and naturalisation of birds - online

Lowland Farmland Birds I: ecology and conservation) - online

Lowland Farmland Birds II: the road to recovery - online

Lowland Farmland Birds III: delivering solutions in an uncertain world - online

Migrants/migration (in The ecology and conservation of Palaearctic-African migrants) - offline

Museums (in Why museums matter: avian archives in the age of extinction) - offline

Non-native species

- in The impacts of non-native species - online

- in The introduction and naturalisation of birds - online

The Impacts of Non-native Species - online

Why museums matter: avian archives in the age of extinction - offline

Wind, fire and water: renewable energy and birds - online

Woodland birds: their ecology and management - online

Climate Change and Birds

2010-11-10T03:21:00.000-08:00

The BOU has run three conferences on climate change and birds in 1999, 2004 and 2009. The proceedings from all three conferences are now online and collectively form a major contribution to farmland bird studies.

All papers are free to view.

Climate Change and Birds (2010)

Wind, Fire and Water: Renewable Energy and Birds (2006)

Climate Change and Coastal Birds (2004)

Other recent climate change and birds related papers published in Ibis (not from any of the above conferences):

Commentary:

Unravelling the mechanisms linking climate change, agriculture and avian population declines

JAMES W. PEARCE-HIGGINS and JENNIFER A. GILL

Article first published online: 15 JUN 2010 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2010.01041.x

Commentary:

The search for winners and losers in a sea of climate change

KEITH C. HAMER

Article first published online: 8 DEC 2009 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00995.x

Original article:

Combined impacts of longline fisheries and climate on the persistence of the Amsterdam Albatross Diomedia amsterdamensis

PHILIPPE RIVALAN, CHRISTOPHE BARBRAUD, PABLO INCHAUSTI and HENRI WEIMERSKIRCH

Article first published online: 13 NOV 2009 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00977.x

Original article:

Advances in laying date and increasing population size suggest positive responses to climate change in Common Eiders Somateria mollissima in Iceland

LILIANA D’ALBA, PAT MONAGHAN and RUEDI G. NAGER

Article first published online: 19 NOV 2009 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00978.x

Climate Change and Birds

2010-09-09T08:22:00.000-07:00

Proceedings of the BOU's 2010 Annual Conference

supported by

BTO / Defra / Department of Energy & Climate Change / Durham University

Natural England / RSPB /Scottish Natural Heritage

An overview of the effects of climate change on birds

Rhys Green

File loaded 10/09/2010

The effects of temperature on photoperiodic responses: implications for climate change

Alistair Dawson & Marcel E. Visser

File loaded 10/09/2010

Phenological trends reflect a changing world

Tim Sparks

File loaded 10/09/2010

Seasonal timing in a warming world

Marcel Visser, Luc te Marvelde, Sonja V. Schaper, Alistair Dawson, Simone Webber & Arild Husby

File loaded 10/09/2010

Modelling range shifts for Swiss breeding birds

Ramona Maggini, Boris Schröder, Niklaus E. Zimmermann, Janine Bolliger, Anthony Lehmann, Rudd Foppen, Marc Kéry, Hans Schmid, Martin Beniston & Niklaus Zbinden

File loaded 10/09/2010

The effects of climate change on avian population dynamics

Bernt-Erik Saether

File loaded 10/09/2010

Birds over troubled waters: effects of climate change on North Sea seabirds

Sarah Wanless, Morten Frederiksen, Mike Harris & Francis Daunt

File loaded 10/09/2010

The evidence of climate change response in the annual cycle of Arctic-breeding waders

Theunis Piersma

File loaded 29/09/2010

Contrasting change in at-sea distribution and abundance of subantarctic seabirds on the Southern Ocean

Clara Péron, Mattieu Authier, Chistophe Barbraud, Karine Delord, Dominique Besson & Henri Weimerskirch

File loaded 09/09/2010

Understanding geographic range changes of North American breeding birds

Savrina Carrizo, Nick Isaac, Kate Jones & Michael de L. Brooke

File loaded 10/09/2010

Life cycle assessment and renewable energies

Graham Sinden

File loaded 29/09/2010

A study of White-tailed Eagle movements and mortality at a wind farm in Norway

Torgeir Nygård, Kjetil Bevanger, Espen Lie Dahl, Øystein Flagsted, Arne Follestad, Pernille Lund Hoel, Roel May & Ole Reitan

File loaded 10/09/2010

Whooper Swans migration in relation to offshore wind farms

Larry Griffin, Eileen Rees & Baz Hughes

File loaded 10/09/2010

Wind energy – Assessing the impact of offshore wind turbines on terns

Martin Perrow, James Gilroy, Aulay Mackenzie & Eleanor Skeate

File loaded 18/10/2010

Bird collisions: a visual or a perceptual problem?

Graham R. Martin

File loaded 10/09/2010

Birds and wind farms: where next?

Rowena W. Langston

File loaded 10/09/2010

Developing the knowledge base to guide renewable energy developments in Scotland and its seas

Ross McGregor, Andy Douse & Des Thompson

File loaded 29/09/2010

Evaluating the potential impacts of tidal power schemes on estuarine waterbirds

Niall H.K. Burton, Chris B. Thaxter, Aonghais S.C.P. Cook, Graham E. Austin, Lucy J. Wright & Nigel A. Clarke

File loaded 29/09/2010

Woodfuel management: prospects for reversing declines in woodland birds

Rob J. Fuller & Peter Rothery

File loaded 10/09/2010

Potential impacts on birds of land use change to supply growing UK biomass demand

Benedict Gove & Richard Bradbury

File loaded 10/09/2010

Long- and short-distance migrants: differing impacts and changes in migration strategy as a means of adapting to climate change

Nathalie Doswald, & Stephen G. Willis

File loaded 29/09/2010

Turnover and persistence of species – African IBAs, how many might drop out of network?

Stephen G. Willis & David G. Hole

File loaded 18/10/2010

Climate change adaptation and mitigation: synergies, antagonisms and trade-offs for biodiversity and ecosystem services

Paula Harrison, Pam. M. Berry, James S. Paterson and the MACIS & Rubicode partners

File loaded 10/09/2010

Adaptation for southern range margin populations

James Pearce-Higgins

File loaded 10/09/2010

Policy measures for facilitating biodiversity adaptation to climate change

Graham Tucker

File loaded 29/09/2010

Challenges in climate change adaptation for UK birds

Humphrey Crick & Richard Bradbury

File loaded 29/09/2010

Acknowledgements

The BOU gratefully acknowledge financial support from Defra, Department of Energy & Climate Change, Natural England, the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage.

Our thanks also to all the authors listed above who presented papers at the conference. We also thank those who reviewed the papers for these proceedings. Lastly, we would like to thank the organising committee for producing such a stimulating and excellent programme, Rowena Langston (RSPB), Dan Chamberlain (University of Turin, formerly BTO), Steve Willis (University of Durham), James Pearce-Higgins (BTO, formerly RSPB), Allan Drewitt (Natural England) and Richard Bradbury (RSPB) and the BOU's Steve Dudley and Angela Langford for managing the meeting.

RELATED LINK | Wind, fire and water: renewable energy and birds

RELATED LINK | Climate change and coastal birds

Farmland Birds . . . 1, 2, 3

2010-09-02T09:14:00.000-07:00

The BOU has run three major linked conferences on lowland farmland birds in 1999, 2004 and 2009. The proceedings from all three conferences are now online and collectively form a major contribution to farmland bird studies.

All papers are free to view.

Lowland farmland birds III: delivering solutions in an uncertain world (2010)

Lowland farmland birds II: the road to recovery (2004)

Lowland farmland birds: their ecology and conservation (2000)

Other recent farmland bird related papers published in Ibis (not from any of the above conferences):

Commentary:

Unravelling the mechanisms linking climate change, agriculture and avian population declines

JAMES W. PEARCE-HIGGINS and JENNIFER A. GILL

Article first published online: 15 JUN 2010 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2010.01041.x

Viewpoint:

Bird conservation and agriculture: a pivotal moment?

JEREMY D. WILSON, ANDREW D. EVANS and PHILIP V. GRICE

Article first published online: 8 DEC 2009 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00992.x

Original article

Agricultural land use and Skylark Alauda arvensis: a case study linking a habitat association model to spatially explicit change scenarios

NIGEL D. BOATMAN, STÉPHANE PIETRAVALLE, HAZEL R. PARRY, JOE CROCKER, PAUL V. IRVING, DAVID B. TURLEY, JANE MILLS and JANET C. DWYER

Article first published online: 19 OCT 2009 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00969.x

Original article

Nest-site selection by Great Bustards Otis tarda suggests a trade-off between concealment and visibility

MARINA MAGAÑA, JUAN C. ALONSO, CARLOS A. MARTÍN, LUIS M. BAUTISTA and BEATRIZ MARTÍN

Article first published online: 26 OCT 2009 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00976.x

Original article

Mid-season shifts in the habitat associations of Yellow Wagtails Motacilla flavabreeding in arable farmland

JAMES J. GILROY, GUY Q. A. ANDERSON, PHILIP V. GRICE, JULIET A. VICKERY and WILLIAM J. SUTHERLAND

Article first published online: 8 DEC 2009 | DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-919X.2009.00988.x

Lowland Farmland Birds: their ecology and conservation

2010-08-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

Contents page (printable PDF)

Editorial: Lowland Farmland Birds: their ecology and conservation

N. Aebischer, A. Evans, P. Grice & J.A. Vickery

Paper

Inaugural message

E.A. Morley

Paper

Trends, agricultural policy and conservation

Relationships between recent changes in lowland British agriculture and farmland bird populations: an overview

R.J. Fuller

Paper

Changes in agriculture and the status of birds breeding in European farmland

L. Schifferli

Paper

Changes in plant and arthropod biodiversity on lowland farmland: an overview

N.W. Sotherton & M.J. Self

Paper

The contribution of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and agri-environment schemes to the conservation of farmland birds in England

A.R.H. Swash, P.V. Grice & D. Smallshire

Paper

From science to recovery: four case studies of how research has been translated into conservation action in the UK

N.J. Aebischer, R.E. Green & A.D. Evans

Paper

Effects of farming on birds

The contribution of hedgerow structure to the value of organic farms to birds

D.E. Chamberlain & J.D. Wilson

Paper

Responses of farmland birds to set-aside and its management

I.G. Henderson & A.D. Evans

Paper

Birds and lowland grassland management practices in the UK: an overview

A. Wakeham-Dawson & K.W. Smith

Paper

Pesticides and their effects on lowland farmland birds

A.J. Burn

Paper

Practical management solutions for birds on lowland arable farmland

N.D. Boatman, C. Stoate & P.N. Watts

Paper

Studies of lowland farmland birds

The demography of lowland farmland birds

G.M. Siriwardena, S.R. Baillie, H.Q.P. Crick, J.D. Wilson & S. Gates

Paper

Predation and songbird populations

C. Stoate & D.L. Thomson

Paper

The importance of cereal fields to breeding and wintering Skylarks Alauda arvensis in the UK

P.F. Donald & J.A. Vickery

Paper

Understanding the decline of the British population of Song Thrushes Turdus philomelos

D.L. Thomson & P.A. Cotton

Paper

Habitat use by Corn Buntings Miliaria calandra in winter and summer

N.W. Brickle & D.G.C. Harper

Paper

The ecology of Yellowhammers Emberiza citrinella on lowland farmland

R.B. Bradbury & C. Stoate

Paper

The ecology of Linnets Carduelis cannabina on lowland farmland

D. Moorcroft & J.D. Wilson

Paper

The ecology of the Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio

D. Vanhinsbergh

Abstract

Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Butler et al

2010-06-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

CONTENTS | POSTER ABSTRACTS

A review of modelling approaches for predicting bird population responses to land-use change

Simon J. Butler*¹, H. Owen², Rob Robinson³, Richard Stillman⁴, Mark J. Whittingham⁵

& Ken Norris¹

¹Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AR, UK

²Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK

³British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK

⁴School of Conservation Sciences, University of Bournemouth, Poole BH12 5BB, UK

⁵School of Biology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK

* Email: s.j.butler@reading.ac.uk

To date, most farmland bird research has been retrospective, exploring the status of current bird populations, causes of declines and potential remedial actions in the context of past agricultural intensification and land-use change. As farming adapts to an increasingly dynamic trading environment there is clearly also a need to look forwards, to develop models for predicting how populations will respond to future land-use changes be they policy-driven, for socio-economic reasons or in response to large-scale drivers like climate change. This paper reviews the modelling approaches available for making such predictions. We assess the relative merits and limitations of mechanistic, demographic, habitat association and niche-based models and discuss the potential benefits of adopting Bayesian modelling approaches to account for uncertainties and improve model accuracy. In particular, we assess the suitability of each approach for answering the “How much is enough?” question, asking to what extent they can be used to predict the required levels of resource provision across agricultural landscapes that will be required to deliver population recovery.

Simon Butler is currently a post-doctoral research fellow at the Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, University of Reading. He undertook his PhD in the Farmland Bird Group at the Edward Grey Institute for Field Ornithology in Oxford and then worked as a research biologist for the RSPB before taking up his current position in 2006.

CONTENTS | POSTER ABSTRACTS

Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Arlettaz et al

2010-06-17T07:31:00.000-07:00

CONTENTS | POSTER ABSTRACTS

Bare soil as a staple commodity for declining ground-foraging insectivorous farmland birds

Raphaël Arlettaz*^1,2, Aline Ioset¹, Mélanie Maurer¹, Myles Menz¹, Thomas Reichlin¹, Nadja Weisshaupt¹, Fitsum Abadi¹ & Michael Schaub^1,2

¹Institute of Ecology and Evolution – Conservation Biology, University of Bern, Switzerland

²Swiss Ornithological Institute, Valais Field Station, Switzerland

* Email: raphael.arlettaz@nat.unibe.ch

Changes in cultivated habitats and intensification of agricultural practices are the main factors responsible for the widespread decline of farmland birds across Europe. The goal of agri-environment schemes is to restore farmland biodiversity. Yet, these schemes have so far only had moderate effects upon farmland avian biodiversity, especially with respect to ground-feeding insectivorous birds. Using radio-tracking, we investigated micro-habitat selection in five farmland birds of Switzerland (Wryneck, Hoopoe, Woodlark, Common Redstart and Ortolan Bunting) that occur in fruit plantations and/or vineyards. Habitat characteristics were recorded around foraging locations and compared with non-visited habitat within individual home ranges. The data were analysed using a hierarchical logistic regression model implemented in the Bayesian framework using Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC). In all species, and irrespective of habitat type, the availability of bare ground (with cover optima ranging from 30% and 70%, depending on species) appeared to be the principal determinant of foraging occurrence. These results suggest that the conservation and restoration of populations of endangered ground-feeding insectivorous birds requires the creation of patches of bare soil among arthropod-rich grassland. Extensification of grassland management and/or targeted removal of grass-cover locally may represent adequate management solutions. We recommend these measures to be integrated into future agri-environment policies.

Raphaël Arlettaz’ scientific background is in population biology, community ecology, eco-physiology and behavioural ecology. Since his nomination at the head of the first chair of Conservation Biology in a Swiss University (2002), Raphaël Arlettaz has re-oriented his research activities towards applied conservation biology and restoration ecology, with a major focus on endangered species of farmland and alpine ecosystems. Raphaël Arlettaz also leads a field station of the Swiss Ornithological Institute in the Alps of Valais, a biodiversity hotspot. His double mandate enables him to develop integrated conservation and restoration programmes, from research activities (university) to population monitoring and implementation of corrective conservation/restoration measures (ornithological institute), so as to bridge the gap between research and action.

CONTENTS | POSTER ABSTRACTS

Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Evans et al

2010-06-17T04:17:00.001-07:00

CONTENTS | POSTER ABSTRACTS

LOWLAND FARMLAND BIRD RECOVERY: A DEFINING MOMENT?

Andy Evans*1, Jeremy Wilson2 & Phil Grice3

1 RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, UK

2 RSPB, Dunedin House, 25 Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh EH4 3TP

3 Natural England, Northminster House, Peterborough PE1 1UA

* Email: andy.evans@rspb.org.uk

The problems facing our biosphere seem to grow on a daily basis, led by the unfolding spectre of climate change, which in turn is driven by population growth and global economic development. Never has the need to turn the concept of ‘sustainable development’ into a reality been more urgent. The long-term, precipitous and contemporaneous declines of many lowland farmland bird species driven by agricultural intensification in pursuit of maximum yields, is a prime example of what can happen if we abandon the concept of sustainability for short term gain. In the UK we are all a little richer as a result of the success of the farming industry in reducing food prices, yet at the same time very much poorer following the collateral loss of wildlife as agricultural ecosystems have been pushed rapidly towards monoculture. For the past 20 years, the conservation community in the UK has worked with Government to compile a compelling evidence base comprising ecological research to diagnose the cause of the declines and applied research to test pragmatic management solutions. The collaboration has continued to design a suite of practical delivery mechanisms to deploy the most suitable management options, principally through agri-environment schemes. In 1999 the Government adopted the composite Farmland Bird Index as one of 15 indicators of sustainability. A year later, this Index was adopted as a success measure for an ongoing Public Service Agreement (PSA) target with the Treasury which aims to reverse the decline in farmland birds by 2020. In 2007 the Index stood at its lowest level since records began in the 1960s. Despite all the effort, expertise and apparent goodwill, conservationists are not winning struggle to reverse these declines in our common and widespread farmland birds. This is despite notable successes in reversing the declines of the rarest species – corncrake, stone curlew and cirl bunting – through highly targeted management within their remaining ranges. Furthermore there are now several examples of increases in the more common species at a local level in response to sympathetic management initiated alongside profitable farming enterprises.

Agriculture is now at a cross roads; the need to feed a growing human population underpins arguments for ever greater levels of food production and ever increasing yields. On the other hand, the environmental costs of the process of agricultural intensification (of which biodiversity loss is just one) are widely perceived to be unacceptable. Management for environmental goods and services, including wildlife, must therefore be a central concern if future agricultural development is to be sustainable. Here we synthesise the specific challenges facing farmland bird recovery in this changing world, and suggest potential solutions.

Andy Evans In 1988, after gaining my PhD on Curlew, my first job was to diagnose the causes of Cirl Bunting decline. I soon became intrigued by these super little birds and fascinated by the history of farming, described so vividly by Raymond O’Connor and Michael Shrubb, and by the pioneering work of Dick Potts. Now it seems obvious what the problem facing Cirl Buntings was, but at that time the spotlight had yet to focus on agriculture. After a brief spell with the BTO I returned to the RSPB in 1992, and have worked on farmland birds ever since. In 1997 I became Head of Terrestrial Research and in 2007 Head of Species Recovery.

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Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Parry et al

2010-06-17T04:16:00.000-07:00

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THE USE OF INDIVIDUAL-BASED MODELS FOR STUDYING THE RESPONSE OF BIRD POPULATIONS TO LANDSCAPE CHANGE

Hazel R. Parry*¹, Christopher J. Topping², Nigel Boatman¹, Marc Kennedy¹ & Alistair Murray¹

1 Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ, UK

2 Department of Wildlife Ecology & Biodiversity, NERI, University of Aarhus, Kalø, Grenåvej 14, DK-8410 Rønde, Denmark

* Email: h.parry@csl.gov.uk

Predicting the response of birds to changes in their environment is an ongoing challenge. Individual-based models (IBMs) have the potential to provide useful insights but have not been widely used to date. Advantages of IBMs over more ‘traditional’ population-based or autoecological approaches include the ability to simulate the effects of new land use types with given properties and landscape structure (as model drivers operate at a lower level), examine impacts at multiple landscape scales, incorporate temporal variability in habitat suitability and relate population density fluctuations to underlying population dynamics.

In order for these advantages to be realised, and for IBMs to achieve their potential for informing policy development, IBM approaches need to be recognised and accepted by policy makers. The application of IBMs therefore needs to address policy needs for simplicity, clarity and a rapid response. A scoping study has been undertaken to investigate the key factors influencing the confidence of policy makers and those responsible for commissioning policy-orientated research in such techniques, and to provide relevant information to address the issues raised.

A case study addressing the implications of the abolition of set-aside for Skylarks in the UK is used to demonstrate the application of the model to policy-relevant issues, building on an existing model constructed by Topping et al. (2005). The validity of the model was tested by comparing the effects of changing land use as predicted by the model with data on Skylark population dynamics, to determine whether the population trends under different land uses in the model reflect what is known about the observed population response. We demonstrate methods with which to ‘validate’ such models, in particular comparisons with regional statistical data available from the Breeding Bird Survey (BTO), and use a novel methodology, BACCO (Bayesian Analysis of Computer Code Output), to analyse model uncertainty. We indicate ways in which such models may be better understood, analysed and made available (for example through a semantic grid service) for greater scientific and policy gain.

Once confidence in the model’s plausibility, sensitivity and validity was gained, model experiments were used to test the response of Skylarks to the removal of set-aside, as well as the within-year effects of spraying with non-selective herbicide in spring in preparation for a return to cropping, a practice commonly applied to set-aside in the UK.

Future work on the model will improve the suitability of the model for use in the UK by incorporating more UK specific parameters (at present a number of Denmark-specific parameters are used, e.g. for farm management, landscape etc.). We define which parameters need to be UK specific and show how this might then lead to the use of the model as a powerful tool for policy decision-making.

Topping, C.J., R.M. Sibly, H.R. Akçakaya, G.C. Smith & D.R. Crocker. 2005. Risk Assessment of UK Skylark Populations Using Life-History and Individual-Based Landscape Models. Ecotoxicology 14, 925–936

Hazel Parry works at the Central Science Laboratory, York, which is an executive agency of Defra (from 1 April this will be a new agency: ‘Fera’). She completed her PhD from the University of Leeds in 2006 and now has a permanent research position at this institution. Her research interests include: agent-based and individual-based modelling, computer simulation of crop pest population dynamics and dispersal, grid computing, geographical information systems, environmentally sensitive farming, and predicting the implications of policy and environmental change for agricultural landscapes and farmland ecology.

Hazel’s webpage: www.scispace.net/hazelp.

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Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Butler et al

2010-06-17T04:15:00.001-07:00

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A REVIEW OF MODELLING APPROACHES FOR PREDICTING BIRD POPULATION RESPONSES TO LAND-USE CHANGE

Simon J. Butler*¹, H. Owen², Rob Robinson³, Richard Stillman⁴, Mark J. Whittingham⁵

& Ken Norris¹

1 Centre for Agri-Environmental Research, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AR, UK

2 Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK

3 British Trust for Ornithology, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK

4 School of Conservation Sciences, University of Bournemouth, Poole BH12 5BB, UK

5 School of Biology, University of Newcastle, Newcastle NE1 7RU, UK

* Email: s.j.butler@reading.ac.uk

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Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Siriwardena & Anderson

2010-06-17T04:13:00.002-07:00

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THE IMPORTANCE OF SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL SCALE FOR AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEME DELIVERY

Full paper

Gavin Siriwardena*1 & Guy Anderson2

1 British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk, IP24 2PU, UK

2 The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, UK

* Email: gavin.siriwardena@bto.org

To be effective in helping farmland bird population recovery, AES options must plug key resource gaps throughout the year and do so throughout the target species’ range. Moreover, these ranges of provision have to be achieved within the financial limits of agri-environment funding. For most granivorous species, the available evidence indicates that the principal resource gap is winter food availability, but breeding resources will also have to be made sufficient to cater for populations benefiting from the winter measures so that such benefits can translate into breeding season abundance.

Recent landscape-scale experiments provide information both on resource requirements of farmland birds through the winter and on movement propensities within the winter and between wintering and breeding locations. The use of supplementary food by farmland birds through the winter provided an index of the unmet demand for ambient food resources, while radio-tracked movements revealed movement patterns within winter and breeding season resighting of winter-ringed birds revealed inter-seasonal movements. These results have important implications for the effectiveness of resource supplementation via agri-environment schemes, which will be reviewed briefly along with other sources of evidence for the importance of spatial and temporal scale in the delivery of agri-environment benefits for farmland birds. This review will consider, for example, requirements for spatially juxtaposed habitat features and intra-seasonal variation in the resources provided by particular AES options.

The available evidence will then be synthesized to produce recommendations for effective agri-environment option delivery.

Gavin Siriwardena studied at the Universities of Cambridge and Leicester, specialising in bird behaviour and ecology, and has worked in the field of farmland bird ecology at the BTO for nearly 13 years. This research has comprised field and data analytical research projects and he has published regularly in journals such as the Journal of Applied Ecology and Ibis. He is currently Head of Land-Use Research at the BTO and is working on projects including modelling farmland bird habitat relationships, agri-environment scheme evaluation and measuring effects of the loss of set-aside.

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Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Lobley et al

2010-06-17T04:13:00.001-07:00

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"HABITAT IS JUST ANOTHER CROP" – TRAINING AND ADVICE FOR AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Matt Lobley*, Eirini Saratsi & Michael Winter

Centre for Rural Policy Research, Department of Politics, University of Exeter, Amory Building, Rennes Drive, Exeter, Devon EX4 4RJ, UK

* Email: m.lobley@exeter.ac.uk

Since the late 1980s voluntary agri-environmental schemes (AES) have provided incentives for farmers to adopt management practices designed to enhance the environmental value of farming systems or support existing environmentally friendly farming systems. If it is assumed that management prescriptions are appropriate for the stated objectives, the actions of the farmer become critical to successful AES outcomes. Early (social science) analysis of AES assumed that sufficient levels of uptake and removal of barriers to entry could be taken as a proxy indicator of scheme success. However, it has become clear that AES participation cannot be viewed as a simple dichotomous decision to participate or not participate. Studies suggest that it is not participation per se, but the level of engagement with scheme aims and objectives that matters. Research has typically revealed limited engagement on the part of most participants, with the majority enticed into participation by a combination of payment rates and compatibility with the existing farming system. Whilst participants may abide by the letter of the agreement, they can often fail to understand the reasoning behind management prescriptions. This can lead to attempts to ‘cut corners’, unintentional breaches of agreements and the accusation that AES payments can be “temporary bribes”.

It is therefore argued by many commentators that changing attitudes can be an important indicator of the effectiveness of AES. One possible way of doing this is through the provision of educational and advisory programmes to help influence attitudes and most importantly, help farmers understand why certain actions are required, and how to undertake appropriate conservation management. Against this background this paper reports some initial results from a 5 year RELU funded research project examining the role of farmer learning and landscape context in improving the outcome of AES agreements. Based on a sample of 48 farmers in the East and South West of England, the paper considers farmer understanding and concerns regarding the management requirements of two specific options of their ELS agreements. It goes on to consider the experience of farmers participating in bespoke group as well as personalised farm-specific, training events. It begins to trace the longer term impact of training on farmer understanding and ability to effectively implement agri-environmental management.

Matt Lobley has a background in geography, economics with degrees from the University of London and North Staffordshire University. He has held posts at the Universities of London and Plymouth and is currently Assistant Director of the Centre for Rural Policy Research, University of Exeter. Much of his research has focused on understanding influences on, and impacts of, farm household behaviour, in particular, the role of farm households in the management of the countryside, for example, through exploring the impact of CAP reform; attitudes towards agri-environmental policy; the potential for actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and the environmental and social impacts of agricultural restructuring.

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Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Hinsley et al

2010-06-17T04:12:00.001-07:00

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TESTING AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL DELIVERY FOR FARMLAND BIRDS AT THE FARM SCALE: THE HILLESDEN EXPERIMENT

Full paper

Shelley A Hinsley*1, John W Redhead1, Paul E Bellamy1,2, Richard K Broughton1,

Ross A Hill1 & Richard F Pywell1

1 CEH Wallingford, Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire, OX10 8BB, UK

2 Current address: RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, UK

* Email: sahi@ceh.ac.uk

Modern agriculture is a major driver of habitat and landscape modification and various agri-environment schemes have been devised to mitigate its detrimental impacts on biodiversity. The Hillesden experiment is a farm-scale study devised to test the effectiveness of management prescriptions under the UK Environmental Stewardship Scheme to conserve and enhance biodiversity across a range of taxa, and to inform future development of management options. The study farm is c. 1000 ha of typical lowland heavy land growing autumn sown winter wheat, oil-seed rape and beans. The study, initiated in 2005/06, is a randomised block experiment with five replicates of three treatments, with treatments in contiguous blocks of 70-80 ha. Treatments comprise i) the basic requirements of cross-compliance (CC), ii) entry level stewardship (ELS) (removal of 1% of land from production with the creation of a small number of simple options) and iii) entry level stewardship extra (ELS X) (removal of 5% of land from production with a diverse range of options). Habitat data for the whole farm has also been obtained using airborne remote sensing techniques (height data from LiDAR and land use from reflectance data), the site being flown in August 2007. Birds have been censused by spot mapping in two winters and two breeding seasons, the census being based on a total of c. 16 km of hedgerow transects. Bird usage of sown bird food patches has also been recorded in winter. The study will run for five years and here we present preliminary results for the first two years (pre- and post establishment of options). First indications are that bird numbers increased in the winter following the establishment of the habitat options under ELS and ELS X and that the numbers of breeding territories in the second breeding season also subsequently increased. However, variation across the replicates was large and results were largely statistically non-significant. The effects of scale on the ability to detect significant changes in organisms as mobile as birds are also discussed.

Shelley Hinsley is an avian ecologist with interests in bird population dynamics in relation to habitat fragmentation, habitat quality and landscape structure. Previously based at CEH Monks Wood for 19 years, she has worked on various aspects of woodland and hedgerow bird ecology including distribution, abundance and reproductive success and how these are influenced by both habitat and bird quality. She has a special interest in the application of airborne remote sensing in quantifying habitat structure and the effects of climate on habitat quality.

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Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Field et al

2010-06-17T04:11:00.001-07:00

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WINTER USE OF SEED-BEARING CROPS BY BIRDS WITHIN THE ENGLISH ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP SCHEME

Rob H. Field*1, Anthony J. Morris1, Phil. V. Grice2 & A. Cooke3

1 RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2DL, UK

2 Natural England, Northminster House, Peterborough, PE1 1UA, UK

3 Natural England, Woodthorne, Wergs Road, Wolverhampton, WV6 8TQ, UK

* Email: rob.field@rspb.org.uk

The English Environmental Stewardship (ES) Scheme was introduced in 2005, following an evaluation of coverage of and delivery by English agri-environment schemes. Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) forms part of this scheme, aiming to target conservation management at farm-specific habitats and species. Of 175,000 ha managed under HLS agreements, a significant proportion is targeted wholly or partly towards delivering the ‘Arable Six’ target species (Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Yellow Wagtail, Lapwing, Turtle Dove and Grey Partridge), or other birds of conservation concern.

ES has been designed to incorporate an element of monitoring and evaluation, to assess whether conservation measures, designed at the farm scale, deliver measurable results at a landscape and population level. RSPB and Natural England have instigated a programme of monitoring HLS agreements for their provision of potentially limiting resources for declining farmland birds, in comparison to both Entry Level (ELS) ES and non-ES farms. A comparison of three of the ‘Arable Six’ (Corn Bunting, Tree Sparrow, Grey Partridge), and other species’, use of food-providing ES crops and their non-ES equivalents in winter was undertaken in 2007/8. Twenty-seven HLS, 13 ELS and 14 control farms in two regions (West Midlands and East Anglia) were surveyed twice over the winter. On each farm, up to 100 ha, centred on ES seed-bearing options or their non-ES equivalents, were surveyed for birds.

HLS farms in both regions exhibited significantly greater land-use diversity than ELS or control farms. Grey Partridge were the most commonly encountered target species, and favoured weedy HF13 (fallow plots). Their distribution was also influenced by game feeding. Tree sparrows and corn buntings were both localised in occurrence and encountered on fewer farms than expected from HLS targeting information (the Farm Environment Plan, drawn up as part of the entry requirements of the scheme), and at densities too low to analyse on an individual species basis. Both strongly favoured ES seed mixtures over stubbles and non-ES game cover.

Densities of granivorous passerines were approximately ten times greater on ES (EF2, HF12) and non-ES (game cover) seed mixtures than on over-wintered stubbles (EF6 and conventional rotational). However, densities on these stubbles were still up to ten times greater than on autumn-sown arable crops or improved grassland. Mean total farm bird numbers per crop type indicate that stubbles support similar numbers of granivores to seed mixtures. Unexpectedly, low-input HLS over-winter stubble (HF15) did not deliver increased granivore numbers, and was not significantly more used than winter cereals, though this may be an artefact of low sample size. Skylarks strongly favoured stubbles and Oil Seed Rape, though abundances were highest on ES stubble (EF6).

Most ES stubble and seed mixtures appear at least as good as non-ES options, and will be adding substantial extra areas of winter feeding habitat to that already present. This is particularly important in the current context of zero-rate set-aside, and the potential new routes for provision of fallow land in the UK in the future.

Summer bird surveys are currently underway, comparing both use of ES options and farm-scale population changes on HLS and control farms of all of the ‘Arable Six’ target species.

Rob Field After a PhD and post-doc at Glasgow University on Marine fisheries and disease, and a short stint at BTO, analysing BBS data, I have been working on farmland birds at RSPB since 2001. Projects include an autecological study of Tree Sparrows and investigations into the influences of tillage methods on Skylark breeding and use of cereal fields by granivores. I’m currently running the HLS monitoring programme on behalf of RSPB and NE.

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Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Davey et al

2010-06-17T04:10:00.002-07:00

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ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF ENTRY LEVEL STEWARDSHIP ON LOWLAND FARMLAND BIRDS IN ENGLAND

Full paper

Catherine Davey*1, Juliet Vickery2, Nigel Boatman3, Dan Chamberlain1,

Hazel Parry1 & Gavin Siriwardena1

1 BTO, The Nunnery, Thetford IP24 2PU, UK

2 RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK

3 Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK

* Email: Catherine.davy@bto.org

Environmental Stewardship (ES) is central to the delivery of the UK Government’s Public Service Agreement (PSA) that aims to reverse the decline of farmland birds by 2020. The Entry Level Scheme (ELS), introduced in 2005, is the first non-competitive, broad-uptake stewardship scheme designed to deliver simple but effective environmental management on farms throughout England. Approximately 5 million hectares of farmland are currently entered into ES agreements; given the scale of this investment it is important to verify the efficacy of ELS as mechanism for delivering biodiversity benefits.

The BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), a broad-scale volunteer-based survey, is currently used to monitor breeding farmland birds on c.1500 randomly selected 1km squares. In 2005 and 2008 the BBS was supplemented with an additional 1000 lowland farmland squares to help examine the effects of ELS implementation. We used spatially referenced farm agreement data to assess the influence of specific management options and combinations of options on farmland bird population trends. Relevant option combinations were identified a priori based upon species’ ecology and uptake levels, only those likely to affect populations were examined.

The findings of this study will assist in the development of ELS by feeding into the five-year review when the first round of agreements are due for renewal in 2010.

Catherine Davey recently completed a PhD at Bristol University where she examined the implications of game management for vertebrate biodiversity in UK woodlands. She currently works at the BTO as a Research Ecologist.

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Lowland Farmland Birds 3 - abstract - Phillips et al

2010-06-17T04:10:00.001-07:00

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TARGETING AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEME DELIVERY FOR FARMLAND BIRDS IN ENGLAND

James Phillips*1, Richard Winspear2, Sally Fisher2 & David Noble3

1 Natural England, Riverside Chambers, Castle Street, Taunton, Somerset TA1 4AP, UK

2 RSPB, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL, UK

3 BTO, the Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK

* Email: james.phillips@naturalengland.org.uk

Reversing the decline of farmland birds is a key biodiversity objective for Environmental Stewardship (ES). However to make the most of the inevitably limited resources available for agri-environment schemes, it is vital to prioritise and target the best areas for farmland birds, thereby maximising delivery. The challenge for Natural England has been to work with partners to develop a strategic targeting tool that allows this to be done in the most effective manner.

An evidence based targeting approach has been key to this. Given continuing range contractions in farmland birds. The 1988-1991 Breeding Atlas was considered to be too dated to be used for ES targeting, so there was a pressing need to develop an up to date dataset . To do this the Bird Conservation Targeting Project (BCTP), a joint Natural England, RSPB, BTO initiative came together to collate all the available national, regional and local survey data, including county bird club records for the breeding distribution of some 14 priority, range-restricted farmland birds, which are specifically targeted through Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) in England.

Using this data it has been possible to identify key regional ES priorities for farmland birds across England. The latest revision of the BCTP dataset has just been completed and this has been incorporated and used nationally to inform the new HLS targeting framework which was launched by Natural England in November 2008. This has allowed us to (1) define farmland bird priorities within each region, and (2) to target the right scheme options in the right places for the right species.

This approach to targeting farmland birds is now allowing us to focus our effort in a very strategic way. Within regionally identified hotspots for farmland birds across England, a number of exciting farmland bird partnership initiatives have now been developed. This project-based approach is helping to deliver the right management on the ground for farmland birds and is driving forward farmland bird recovery across the country.

The model we have developed has generated much interest and is a readily transferable species targeting framework, and has the potential to be used for other biodiversity taxa.

James Phillips works for Natural England as a Senior Project Manager based in the South West of England, before this he worked as a land management adviser and team leader for the Rural Development Service delivering agri-environment schemes in Dorset and Somerset. He now manages the South West Farmland Bird Initiative and over sees farmland bird delivery for Natural England across the South West. Nationally he has led on the development of an agri-environment targeting framework for farmland birds working closely the RSPB, which has been rolled out nationally across England.

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