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.

Mortality of Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix nests in Welsh Oakwoods: predation rates and the identification of nest predators using miniature nest cameras

Abstract: Capsule Predation was the main cause of nest failure, but predation rates have remained unchanged since the 1980s. Eurasian Jays Garrullus glandarius were the most common predator. Aims To quantify, and compare, nest predation rates for 1982–84 and 2009–11, and to identify predators of Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix nests in Welsh oakwoods. Methods During 2009–11, 167 Wood Warbler nests were monitored and purpose-built miniature nest cameras deployed at 73 of them. Nest predation rates were compared with 67 nests monitored during 1982–84. Results Of 167 nests monitored from 2009 to 2011, 62 failed due to predation (32/73 camera nests, 30/94 non-camera nests), giving an overall Daily Survival Rate (DSR ± se) of 0.979 ± 0.003. This was not significantly different from the rate during 1982–84 (0.967 ± 0.006). In 2009–11, the DSR of nests declined temporally during the season at both the egg and chick stages. For chick stage nests, DSR varied annually and nonlinearly with age of nestlings. There was no ...

Mercury levels in seabirds from the Azores, Mid-North Atlantic Ocean

Abstract: Levels of total mercury were determined in body feathers of 257 seabirds belonging to seven species from the Azores Archipelago, Mid-North Atlantic Ocean. Mercury levels in adult birds showed highly significant inter-specific variations. Median levels were higher in small petrels (Madeiran storm petrel=12.5 μg/g; Bulwer's petrel=22.1 μg/g) than in shearwaters (Little shearwater=2.1 μg/g; Cory's shearwater=6.0 μg/g) and terns (Roseate tern=2.0 μg/g; Common tern=2.3 μg/g). Such inter-specific variability is discussed in relation to biological factors that may influence mercury dynamics in birds. Intra-specific variations in mercury levels were also found. Mercury levels were significantly lower in chicks than in adults of Cory's shearwater, Roseate tern and Common tern. The levels in chick feathers were 60–70% of those in adult feathers. In Cory's shearwater and the terns (Roseate and Common combined), mercury levels decreased significantly with increasing age of chicks. Mercury levels in adult Madeiran storm petrel showed pronounced seasonal variation, being about 50% lower in Spring breeders than in Autumn breeders. Mercury levels are compared with levels reported for seabird populations of the same or related species, from a variety of regions. The use of bird feathers to monitor mercury in the marine environment is briefly discussed.

Changes in the number of oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus wintering in the Burry Inlet in relation to the biomass of cockles Cerastoderma edule and its commercial exploitation

Abstract: 1. The Burry Inlet estuary in South Wales supports internationally important numbers of oystercatchers Haematopus ostralegus during the winter, where they feed predominantly on cockles Cerastoderma edule. The cockle population has been fished commercially for over a century. 2. The depletion of cockle stocks by commercial fisheries and disturbance to feeding birds has caused conflicts between fishing and nature conservation interests in Europe. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between oystercatcher numbers, the biomass of cockles present at the start of the winter, and the biomass of cockles landed by the fishery during the winter. Our analyses are based on data from 11 winters, covering the period 1982/83–1992/93. 3. The abundance of oystercatchers during winter (measured as total bird-days during September to February inclusive) was not significantly related to the biomass of cockles at the start of the winter, or the biomass landed by the fishery. Winter oystercatcher abundance in the Burry Inlet was correlated, however, with the number of birds wintering in the UK. 4. The abundance of oystercatchers during spring (measured as total bird-days during March and April) was positively correlated with the biomass of cockles at the start of the winter, and negatively correlated with the biomass landed by the fishery over the winter. The most likely explanation for this is that birds disperse from the Burry Inlet earlier in spring when the biomass of cockles at the start of the winter is small and/or the biomass landed by the fishery is large. 5. The most likely causal explanation for this dispersal is that overwinter cockle losses due to predation, fishing, and other sources of mortality cause increased prey depletion when the biomass of cockles at the start of the winter is small. An increase in fishery landings during winter could therefore cause a reduction in oystercatcher abundance during spring. Considerably higher levels of fishing effort in future could conceivably cause a reduction in the abundance of oystercatchers during winter, although, at present, there is no evidence to suggest that fishing affects oystercatcher abundance at this time. 6. The Burry Inlet cockle fishery is a low intensity fishery, removing < 25% of the available stock, and using traditional fishing methods such as hand gathering. Even at these low levels of fishing effort oystercatcher abundance was reduced during spring. The introduction of more efficient modern fishing methods, such as tractor or suction dredging could therefore cause a decline in the abundance of oystercatchers within the estuary, if the level of exploitation increased as a result. Current levels of exploitation therefore need to be maintained. Reliable predictive models are now required for quantifying the impact of fishery management on the abundance of birds and cockles. A precautionary approach to management is required at other sites where a lack of data means that it is difficult to assess the impact of fishing effort on oystercatcher or cockle abundance.

Impacts of species-led conservation on ecosystem services of wetlands: understanding co-benefits and tradeoffs

Abstract: Biodiversity conservation organisations have recently begun to consider a wider ecosystem services context for their activities. While the literature suggests the potential of ‘win–win’ situations where biodiversity conservation and the delivery of ecosystem services overlap, empirical evidence is wanting. Here we explore the role that species-led management for the benefit of biodiversity in cultural landscapes can play in the delivery of wider ecosystem services. We use UK lowland wetlands as a case study and show how successful delivery of species-led conservation through management interventions relies on practices that can affect greenhouse gas fluxes, water quality and regulation, and cultural benefits. In these wetlands, livestock grazing has potentially large effects on water and greenhouse gas related services, but there is little scope to alter management without compromising species objectives. Likewise, there is little potential to alter reedbed management without compromising conservation objectives. There is some potential to alter woodland and scrub management, but this would likely have limited influence due to the relatively small area over which such management is practiced. The management of water levels potentially has large effects on provision of several services and there does appear to be some scope to align this objective with biodiversity objectives. A comprehensive understanding of the net costs and benefits to society of these interventions will require fine-grained research integrating ecological, economic and social science research. However, a less analytic understanding of the potential costs and benefits can highlight ways by which land management principally to achieve biodiversity conservation objectives might be modified to enhance delivery of other ecosystem services.