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.

Great Black-Backed Gull (Larus marinus) Predation on Seabird Populations at Two Colonies in Eastern Canada

Abstract: . The increase in gull (Laridae) populations through the 20th century, largely due to an upsurge in anthropogenic food sources, has raised concerns about the effects of gulls on sympatric populations of other seabirds. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, a reduction in fisheries discards due to the collapse of cod (Gadus morhua) populations and a phenological delay in the early 1990s and early 2000s in spawning capelin (Mallotus villosus) has supposedly resulted in increased seabird predation by gulls. Accordingly, the diet of Great Black-backed Gulls (Larus marinus) was quantified at two colonies (Gull Island, Witless Bay, Newfoundland, and Gannet Islands, Labrador), and the total mortality on sympatric breeding seabirds at each site was extrapolated. At the Gannet Islands, Great Black-backed Gulls primarily kleptoparasitized Atlantic Puffins (Fratercula arctica) bringing sandlance (Ammodytes sp.) to their chicks, whereas at Gull Island, seabirds formed the bulk of the gulls' diet. Great Blackb...

Counts of male Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix in North Wales

Abstract: Attendance by male Black Grouse was studied at 4 leks in north Wales in spring 1987 and 1988. The number of males at individual leks varied depending on time of day and season. The highest counts were obtained in April and early May, 1 hr either side of sunrise. Counts were also made on 45 of the 91 recorded display sites in north Wales, mainly between 04.00–05.00 hours in May 1988 and the results compared with data collected in 1986. Twenty-nine per cent of sites had more males in 1988, 47% had fewer males and 24% were unchanged. Overall, numbers had apparently increased by 4% but this did not necessarily reflect changes in the population. Leks in forests had declined more than those on moorland. Recommendations are made for standardizing survey methodology and for monitoring Black Grouse populations in Wales.

Decline of the Orkney Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus population: Do changes to demographic parameters and mating system fit a declining food hypothesis?

Abstract: Capsule A decline in polygyny and lower secondary female breeding success have reduced male productivity and most likely led to the population decline. Aims To examine whether changes in demographic parameters during a population decline fit with a hypothesis that there has been a reduction in food supplies. Methods We examined changes in the number of young, numbers of successful broods and the size of these broods, produced on west Mainland, Orkney between 1953 and 2000 from ringing returns and original nest records. We also examined the changes in polygyny levels between 1967–74, 1976–81 and 1998–2000. Using more intensive data from 1980–81 and 1998–2000, we examined whether there were any changes in various breeding parameters of primary (monogamous or alpha) females or secondary (beta) females. Results Numbers of young and broods produced have declined dramatically in the west Mainland of Orkney since the end of the 1970s. In the 1970s, an average of 60 chicks fledged each year, whereas an average of...

Status of Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos in Britain in 2015

Abstract: Capsule: A complete survey of Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos in Britain in 2015 found that the population had increased by 15% since 2003 to 508 territorial pairsAims: The survey aimed to investigate the population size, distribution and breeding success of Golden Eagles in Britain, and to compare results with similar surveys since the early 1980sMethods: Every home range was visited on a minimum of three occasions between January and August 2015 First, to look for eagles or signs of their presence (January–March), then to look for evidence of breeding or further checks for occupation (April–June) and finally to record productivity of nesting pairs (July–August)Results: The figure of 508 territorial pairs represents a 15% increase in the population from 442 pairs in 2003 The proportion of home ranges occupied was 70% The largest increases in the proportion of occupied home ranges were in south-central Highlands (71%), northern moors and flows (38%) and northwest Highlands (29%), with modest

Enhancing the value of horizon scanning through collaborative review

Abstract: There is an increased appreciation of the need for horizon scanning: the identification and assessment of issues that could be serious in the future but have currently attracted little attention. However, a process is lacking to identify appropriate responses by policy makers and practitioners. We thus suggest a process and trial its applicability. Twelve environmental conservation organizations assessed each of 15 previously identified horizon scanning issues for their impact upon their organization and the urgency with which they should consider the issue. They also identified triggers that would result in changes in their scoring of the likely urgency and impact of the issues. This process enables organizations to identify priority issues, identify issues they can ignore until there are further developments, benchmark priorities across organizations and identify cross-organizational priorities that warrant further attention, so providing an agenda for collation of evidence, research and policy development. In this trial the review of responses by other organizations resulted in the upgrading of response by a substantial proportion of organizations for eight of the 15 issues examined. We suggest this approach, with the novel components of collaborative assessment and identification of triggers, could be adopted widely, both within conservation organizations and across a wider range of policy issues