Proposed changes to UK Biodiversity Action Plan

[Capercaillie71]

I see that a recent review (http://www.ukbap.org.uk/BAPGroupPage.aspx?id=112)of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan is recommending changes to the lists of priority habitats and species.

Somewhat depressingly (and despite some positive outcomes from action plans for species such as Stone Curlew, Corncrake and Cirl Bunting) no bird species are recommended for removal from the priority list that has been in place for the past decade or so.

Instead, an additional 30 species are considered to be under sufficient threat to warrant being added to the priority list. These are:

Black Throated Diver
Balearic Shearwater
White-fronted goose
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Bewick's Swan
Scaup
Red Grouse
Lapwing
Black-tailed Godwit
Curlew
Herring Gull!
Arctic Skua
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
Cuckoo
Tree Pipit
Yellow Wagtail
Ring Ouzel
Savi's Warbler
Grasshopper Warbler
Wood Warbler
Dunnock!
Fair Isle & St Kilda Wrens
Willow Tit
Marsh Tit
Starling
House Sparrow
Hawfinch
Lesser Redpoll
Twite
Yellowhammer

[mooskibaby]

That is incredibly worrying!

[mooskibaby]

It's strange to see lapwings on the list. Why are lapwings under threat?

[StuartReeves]

I share your surprise at seeing Herring Gull and Dunnock on this list. I presume they have qualified through some criteria of percentage change in estimated population, rather than through any criteria o flimited range or absolute abundance. I will also admit to having mixed feelings about having two priority list species breeding in my garden.

[mooskibaby]

Dunnock, i am surprised at that i though they were quite common.

[ColinD]

Instead, an additional 30 species are considered to be under sufficient threat to warrant being added to the priority list. These are:.......


Black Throated Diver - "gob smacked" they weren't on in the first place

Balearic Shearwater - the biggest surprise of the lot for me. Unless my information is way out of date, they don't breed in the UK and are just visitors to British waters. How are we supposed to improve things for these types of birds? Don't they just roam the oceans feeding?

White-fronted goose - surprised they weren't on in the first place

Lapwing - not surprised that they're included now.

Black-tailed Godwit - surprised they weren't on in the first place

Herring Gull! - I suppose it depends on what percentage of the World population breeds here.

Yellow Wagtail - surprised they weren't on in the first place

Ring Ouzel - surprised they weren't on in the first place

Savi's Warbler - surprised they weren't on in the first place

Dunnock! - can't explain this.

Fair Isle & St Kilda Wrens - surprised they weren't on in the first place.

Hawfinch - surprised they weren't on in the first place.

[Capercaillie71]

The list of priority species is supposed to be determined by a number of factors. Absolute rarity is one factor, but significant population declines are another, which is why relatively common species can be included.

Lapwings are still quite common, but they have declined (http://www.bto.org/birdtrends2006/wcrlapwi.htm) significantly and are continuing to do so, particularly in Scotland.

Dunnocks have declined in numbers since 20-30 years ago, but trends (http://www.bto.org/birdtrends2006/wcrdunno.htm) over the last 10-15 years have been upwards, which makes their inclusion very strange.

[mooskibaby]

That has shocked me

[Gastronaut]

Does this mean the toffs will no longer be able to shoot red grouse? So there'll be no need for the gamekeepers and thus no persecution of hen harriers???

No, didn't think so.

[mooskibaby]

Thats a good point Gastronaut

[Jane Turner]

Don't forget that the only reason that there are Red Grouse in this country is because of the loving care of gamekeepers and the grouse shooting fraternity.


/sarcasm

[mooskibaby]

Thats also a very good point Jane