The 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.
