RSPB Science

RSPB Science

@rspbscience.bsky.social

Research, reports, and citizen science from the RSPB Centre for Conservation Science

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RSPB Science
@rspbscience.bsky.social

Understanding the potential impact of offshore renewables on breeding birds is key to mitigating any negative impacts That’s why for the last 4yrs the RSPB have recorded data on Guillemot and Razorbill at South Stack RSPB Reserve to create a baseline before tidal energy deployment in the area

RSPB Science
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The project was selected for funding through the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate The #GCBC is funded by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs working in partnership with DAI as the Fund Manager Lead #sustainablelivelihoods #climateresilience

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A system-wide approach considers production, land-use change, displacement & field-scale outcomes to explore RA's potential net impacts Sensitivity analysis found that changes in: • yield outcomes • how production shortfalls were met Could have large consequences for system-wide GHG emissions

RSPB Science
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The interconnectedness of food systems creates challenges for evaluating the climate impacts of RA Assessments should therefore consider changes in productivity alongside production emissions, land-use change and displacement. This paper does not consider changes in consumption or waste.

RSPB Science
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Unlike established standards such as certified Organic, there is no single agreed definition of regenerative agriculture (RA). Instead, RA encompasses a range of approaches often linked to soil health, plant diversity and livestock integration.

RSPB Science
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This makes measuring its impact challenging. Whilst benefits for GHG emissions and soil health are often reported, little research explicitly considers how yield losses could result in additional production and land use change elsewhere.

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RSPB Science
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Each year these statistics provide a sobering reminder of the ongoing loss of birds from our landscapes The renewed declines in the last 10yrs highlight how urgently action is needed to restore nature and the vital role coordinated, concerted action plays in protecting species across ecosystems

RSPB Science
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The Wild Bird Populations Indicator is compiled by the BTO, RSPB and JNCC This is made possible through huge efforts of skilled volunteers helping us track bird populations for over 50yrs By supporting our joint long-term monitoring programmes you can help strengthen our case for protecting nature

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RSPB Science
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Once again, we can see farmland birds are continuing to decline, despite nearly five years of new agri-environment schemes in England. We need these schemes to be designed to provide year-round resources for nature.

RSPB Science
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Multiple pressures across marine ecosystems also continue to drive losses in seabirds Since 2020, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza have had devastating impacts on seabird colonies on top of existing pressures, contributing to accelerating declines in recent years

RSPB Science
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The UK breeding bird index, which tracks 132 wild bird species, has shown a decline of 19% since 1970 Sadly, we see declines across nearly all habitats, in both the long and short term, showing we are still not managing to halt the loss of nature

RSPB Science
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The series brings together voices from across the world to show how people, organisations and communities are working together to protect migratory birds throughout their journeys #GlobalFlyways #BirdLifeInternational #MigratoryBirds #Flyways #ConservationAction #WMBD2026 tinyurl.com/2ppvbnn5

youtube.comPartnerships for Impact | RSPB | Global FlywaysMany birds familiar to people in the UK are migratory. Their survival depends on a connected chain of habitats, people and conservation action across the East Atlantic Flyway. In this short film,…
RSPB Science
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Will Peach’s career – at both BTO and RSPB - consistently delivers lasting conservation impact. Will’s research has guided practical conservation action to improve the futures for some of the UK’s most threatened birds, including Song Thrushes, Cirl Buntings and Turtle Doves.

RSPB Science
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Throughout his career, Will has brought sharp analytical insight, forensic thinking and humour to some of conservation’s toughest challenges. By bringing together BTO, RSPB, academics and volunteers, he delivers outstanding and impactful science.

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RSPB Science
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Results showed tree planting was often at the intersection of competing demands, with new policies vulnerable to short political cycles. The lack of a clear beginning/end also often created competition or contradiction between policies

RSPB Science
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Tree planting can support biodiversity, carbon sequestration and other environmental goals, making it a potential solution to the nature & climate crisis However, it is clear that treescape policy requires an integrated governance framework to be effective and avoid social conflict or uncertainty

RSPB Science
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Researchers surveyed grey literature on treescape expansion policy and categorised barriers across key policymaking stages: - Agenda setting – Points are defined and contested - Policy formation – Goals are defined and costs estimated - Implementation – Policy decisions are translated into action

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“Migratory birds making their epic journeys do not recognise borders & we urgently need more co-ordinated, global action for nature that builds on the vital work of the BirdLife Partnership The need to conserve and restore key habitats at scale across international flyways has never been greater”

RSPB Science
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RSPB’s Executive Director of Global Conservation, Katie-Jo Luxton, is in Kenya where this report was launched at the Global Flyways Summit: “The findings of this report are sobering but there are also reasons for hope, with increasing ambition around the world to halt & reverse species declines”

RSPB Science
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Have you ever taken part in a national survey, used apps like iNaturalist or similar? Forest Research are conducting a 10-minute survey to understand what encourages people to get involved in nature recording and what challenges they may encounter Find out more below 🧪

Forest Research@forestresearchuk.bsky.social

Do you participate in nature-related citizen science – or would you like to?📱Take part in our survey: https://ow.ly/bIee50ZHB6o 🔗 More information: https://ow.ly/EqKX50ZHB6s #CitizenScience #ForestResearch

RSPB Science
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In the latest issue of British Birds you can read about how the tide has finally turned against lead ammunition use in the UK: britishbirds.co.uk/journal/arti... @britishbirds.bsky.social @camzoology.bsky.social @uniofeastanglia.bsky.social 🪶

britishbirds.co.ukThe tide has finally turned against lead ammunition use in the UKEvery year in the UK, lead shotgun ammunition (shot₁) kills 50,000–100,000 wildfowl that ingest it mistakenly for food or grit, and puts at risk...
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RSPB Science
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Two likely explanations for these results are: 1) A decline in the Atlantic breeding population of Storm-petrels 2) Changes in their migratory behaviour Understanding whether one - or both – of these explanations is correct is essential to inform conservation efforts for this tiny seabird.

RSPB Science
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Over this 27-year study in Portugal 6,786 Storm-petrels were captured and released during their migration north, providing valuable insights into these seabirds. This research revealed that the number of Storm-petrels being caught by researchers each hour has fallen by 69% over the study period