Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

About: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is a nonprofit organization based out in Sandy, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biodiversity. The organization has 670 authors who have published 1425 publications receiving 88006 citations. The organization is also known as: RSPB & Plumage League.

Energetic consequences of time-activity budgets for a breeding seabird

Abstract: Accepted Date: 08/06/2016; Version: Author Manuscript / Post-Print; Exceptions: None. This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Collins, P. M., Halsey, L. G., Arnould, J. P. Y., Shaw, P. J. A., Dodd, S. and Green, J. A. (2016), Energetic consequences of time-activity budgets for a breeding seabird. J Zool. doi:10.1111/jzo.12370, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jzo.12370. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving."

Aspects of the breeding biology of Dippers Cinclus cinclus in the southern catchment of the River Wye, Wales

Abstract: Laying dates, clutch and brood size, and the incidence of double brooding, in Dippers breeding in the southern catchment of the Welsh River Wye between 1978 and 1983 are described and compared with data from other regions of Britain and mainland Europe. The mean size of 222 clutches (4.78±0.08) was found to be significantly larger than values given by all other studies in Britain where data were sufficient for statistical comparison. This is discussed in relation to territory quality and other influences.

Timing of shedding seeds and cones, and production in different stands of Scots pines at Abernethy Forest, Scotland

Abstract: Summary A study was carried out over 11 seed years on the timing of shedding of seeds and cones, and annual seed fall and cone production in three stands of native Scots pinewood and a Scots pine plantation in Abernethy Forest, Scotland. Peaks in seed fall took place mainly in May, and cones were shed mainly between June and August. There were few residual seeds remaining in shed cones. Synchronized peaks in seed fall and cone production (mast years) took place at 3-year intervals across the different stands. The difference between cohorts of high and low cone production ranged from factors of 5 to 20 among sites. Coeffi cients of variation for cone production ranged from 62 to 84 per cent among sites. There were no signifi cant differences in cone production among sites, but there were site-related differences in seed fall. The larger canopy cover in the plantation probably accounted for the higher seed fall per square metre there, though variations in the amount of seed eaten by birds and mammals may also have been important. Canopy cover needs to be considered when converting cone densities under crowns to cone density per unit of woodland area. A similar calculation is diffi cult for seeds because they are lighter than cones and many fall outside the area under the crowns. The results are discussed in relation to the potential for tree regeneration and the availability of food for birds and mammals prior to seed dispersal.

Protected Areas and Climate Change; Reflections from a Practitioner’s Perspective

Abstract: Protected areas classified under EU wildlife legislation have achieved real gains for biodiversity. Protected areas also safeguard the environmental conditions and functions that support diverse ecological communities. Ensuring they are properly protected and maintained in favourable condition will help build resilient populations that are better able to respond to climate change. Changes are inevitable, and will require the conservation objectives and management of protected areas to be reviewed and adapted over time, at different spatial and temporal scales for different species. Increasing their area through habitat creation will increase their resilience and provide the space to accommodate change. The EU Birds and Habitats Directives are well framed to help meet the challenges of climate change adaptation. The overall purpose of the Directives is straightforward: to maintain species and habitats at a favourable conservation status over the long term. The Directives possess a robust, dynamic framework of habitat conservation measures, including protected areas, designed to work together to deliver this overarching objective, although this potential has not yet been fully realised. Climate change adaptation will require the interpretation and implementation of the Birds and Habitats Directives to be developed, but their fundamental construction is as sound today as it was when they were adopted.

The breeding status of Peregrine Falcons Falco peregrinus in the UK and Isle of Man in 2002

Abstract: Capsule Numbers of breeding Peregrines are now higher than ever recorded and the recovery of the species within the UK has continued since 1991. Aims To estimate the current Peregrine breeding population and its changes over time by recording breeding evidence and nesting range occupancy at known and potential Peregrine eyries. Methods Attempts were made to check all potentially suitable Peregrine nesting locations for signs of Peregrine occupation. Causes of nest failure were documented where possible. Estimates of occupancy of nesting ranges that could not be visited were based on the proportion of ranges occupied from visited nesting ranges in the same region. Results In 2002, 1530 Peregrine nesting ranges were estimated to be occupied, comprising 1456 pairs or single birds confirmed as in occupation, and 74 estimated extras (5% of total occupied nesting ranges) that were not visited. Including non‐breeding singletons holding nesting ranges, the UK and Isle of Man figure of ‘Ratcliffe pairs’ was 1437. ...