RSPBThe 2006 UK BAP Review

UK BAP Reporting Round (duration October 2005 - June 2006) has rolled around again and produced a weighty review report - with their usual thoroughness. If you want to read ’the full-monty’ - you’ll find it at http://www.ukbap-reporting.org.uk. Otherwise for a snapshot of the progress that’s been made in bird conservation 
we’ve extracted a snippet showing the latest situation in the table below. 

In 1995, 26 birds were identified as priority species in the UK BAP - those species were either globally threatened and / or had experienced a population decline in the UK of at least 50% in 25 years.

Dedicated plans, including population targets and proposed actions, were published for each species. In 2005, a major review of progress against these plans was undertaken.  The table below shows performance against the population targets for each of the priority species.  The most recent population estimates were reported in The State of the UK’s birds 2004.

 

UK BAP Priority Species and Progress Towards BAP Targets
Bittern

R

 Increasing

Yes

 Numbers and range have increased following large-scale habitat restoration and creation
Common Scoter

R

 Continuing decline

Partial

 Breeding numbers have fallen but winter range maintained.
Capercaillie

S

 Stable, probably increasing

Partial

 Decline halted but no population expansion and some reduction on edge of range
Black grouse

S

 Continuing decline

No

 Progress in Wales and England, but still declining in Scotland (where bulk of population resides).
Grey partridge

W

 Continuing decline

No

 Should benefit from local recovery initiatives / agri-environment schemes.
Corncrake

R

 Increasing

Partial

 Numerical target achieved but little range recovery.
Stone-curlew

R

 Increasing

Partial

 Already achieved 2010 numerical target (300 pairs), but only partial range recovery.
Red-necked phalarope

R

 Fluctuating

Partial

 Retained as a regular breeder in the UK and some increase in recent years.
Roseate tern

R

 Increasing

Partial

 Some progress towards 2008 target (200 pairs), but this is unlikely to be achieved.
Turtle dove

W

 Continuing decline

No

 Should benefit from measures introduced into agri-environment schemes.
Nightjar

S

 Increasing

Partial

 2003 numerical target (4,000 pairs) achieved. Range increased in some areas but lost in others.
Wryneck

R

 Now a sporadic breeder only

No

 No longer a regular breeder in the UK.
Woodlark

S

 Increasing

Yes

 Numerical target (1,500 pairs) achieved and good progress with range recovery.
Skylark

W

 Continuing decline

No

 Measures introduced into agri-environment schemes but yet to affect breeding population.
Song thrush

W

 Increasing

Yes

 Partial population recovery. Should benefit from measures introduced into agri-environment schemes.
Aquatic warbler

P

 Probably stable

Yes

 All key passage sites are protected.
Marsh warbler

R

 Continuing decline

Partial

 Maintained as a UK breeding species, but still declining.
Spotted flycatcher

W

 Continuing decline

No

 Studies of breeding ecology are ongoing.
Red-backed shrike

R

 Now a sporadic breeder only

No

 No longer a regular breeder in the UK, but sporadic breeding attempts have been successful.
Tree sparrow

W

 Increasing

Partial

 Local recovery initiatives are now widespread.
Linnet

W

 Continuing decline

No

 Should benefit from measures introduced into agri-environment schemes.
Bullfinch

W

 Fluctuating, but still declining

No

 May benefit from agri-environment schemes but more research is needed.
Scottish crossbill

R

 Unknown

Unknown

 Confirmed as a separate species and field survey method developed.
Reed bunting

W

 Stable

Partial

 Should benefit from measures introduced into agri-environment schemes.
Cirl bunting

R

 Increasing

Partial

 2005 numerical target (550 pairs) exceeded, but limited range recovery.
Corn bunting

W

 Continuing decline

No

 Extinct in Wales. Targeted by agri-environment schemes/local recovery initiatives in England and Scotland.

Status key: R = rare breeder, S = scarce breeder, W = widespread breeder, P = passage

Rare breeder: <1,000 pairs, scarce breeder: 1,000 - 10,000 pairs, widespread breeder: >10,000 pairs.

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