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Capsule: In a 461 km2 unenclosed upland landscape in south-west England, long-term breeding Whinchat Saxicola rubetra persistence is more likely in areas characterized by a mixture of Bracken Pteridium aquilinum, ericaceous vegetation, and very low tree densities, situated in steep-sided valleys at mid-altitudes, further from agriculturally improved grassland or arable. Aims: To establish the correlates of Whinchat breeding territory retention between 1979 and 2015–2022 in a declining upland population. Methods: Historical Whinchat territories (identified in 1979) were revisited to assess range occupancy, producing a lost (n = 104) and retained (n = 60) sample. Territory retention probability was modelled at local (100 × 100 m) and broad (500 × 500 m) scales against remotely sensed data and field habitat data measured in 2022. Results: At the local scale, territory retention probability was greater in steeper valleys, further from arable or agriculturally improved grassland, peaked at five trees per ha in a quadratic response, and where Bracken cover was greater. Bracken cover effects were enhanced when ericaceous vegetation was also present. At the broad scale, retention probability was again greater in steeper valleys, with greater Bracken cover, and at very low tree densities in a quadratic response (but the latter was not important at the bottom of steep-sided valleys). Retention also peaked at around 350–400 m elevation in a quadratic response at the broad scale. Conclusions: In this population in south-west England, steep-sided valleys at 350–400 m, with a light scattering of trees, situated further from intensive enclosed farmland are more likely to retain Whinchats long term. Within these areas, a mixed Bracken and ericaceous field-layer should be encouraged, and blanket afforestation avoided, although lower densities of native trees appear to be more tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provision of critical ecosystem services like carbon sequestration by peatlands has been degraded around the globe. Peatland restoration represents an opportunity to tackle the twin global emergencies of climate breakdown and biodiversity decline. Nonetheless, restoration success relies on a sound understanding of recovery trajectories associated with different restoration techniques. Focusing on temperate/boreal Sphagnum‐dominated peatlands, we used a quantitative meta‐analysis of 28 studies representing 275 sites in 11 countries to test for effects of peatland status (intact, restored, and degraded), varying restoration interventions and time since restoration on vegetation as a key indicator of peatland condition and functioning. Enhanced restoration (such as active revegetation) resulted in recovery to predisturbance levels within 30–35 years for Sphagnum mosses, and 20–25 years for many other peatland specialist species, and was the only restoration approach where positive outcomes were seen across all vegetation response variables. The use of standard restoration techniques, such as rewetting, was projected to result in cover of Sphagnum mosses and peatland specialist plants reaching that of intact sites within 45–55 years post‐restoration. Passive restoration (cessation of the degrading activity with no active restoration) generally elicited limited recovery of keystone peatland vegetation (Sphagnum spp.) even after multiple decades. A lack of standardization in monitoring severely constrains the analysis of peatland restoration outcomes. Increased funding for monitoring and reporting outcomes, and improved monitoring consistency, could greatly enhance our understanding of peatland restoration ecology and improve practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grasslands are globally threatened and their biodiversity, including grassland birds, is declining markedly. To inform grassland bird conservation globally, we systematically reviewed threats and conservation actions for grassland birds, extracting data from 528 papers. Across the 10 primary grassland regions of the globe, agriculture was the most frequently or joint most frequently reported threat in nine regions (reported as a threat in 73% of publications); hunting was the most frequently reported threat in the remaining region. Natural system modifications (reported as a threat in 32% of publications) and climate change and severe weather (24%) were less frequently reported threats compared with agriculture. The types of threat from agriculture varied regionally, but the most pervasive were livestock farming and ranching (reported in 58% of publications where agriculture was a primary threat) and non‐timber cropping (43%). Most agricultural threats relate to intensification, but agricultural abandonment, typically the cessation of grazing, sometimes accompanied by tree planting/succession, poses an emerging threat to some grassland birds (reported in 32% of publications where agriculture was a primary threat). The most frequent conservation actions implemented to date include land/water management and protection, and species‐specific management actions. Authors of reviewed publications in almost all regions recommend more land/water management, followed by calls for further land/water protection. The parlous state of grassland birds globally suggests that existing conservation actions for grasslands are inadequate. Furthermore, our review suggests that these should be primarily targeted at reversing the negative impacts of agriculture, in particular livestock farming and cropping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life history traits and environmental conditions influence reproductive success in animals, and consequences of these can influence subsequent survival and recruitment into breeding populations. Understanding influences on demographic rates is required to determine the causes of decline. Migratory species experience spatially and temporally variable conditions across their annual cycle, making identifying where the factors influencing demographic rates operate challenging. Here, we use the Whinchat Saxicola rubetra as a model declining long‐distance migrant bird. We analyse 10 years of data from 247 nesting attempts and 2519 post‐fledging observations of 1193 uniquely marked nestlings to examine the influence of life history traits, habitat characteristics and weather on survival of young from the nestling stage to local recruitment into the natal population. We detected potential silver spoon effects where conditions during the breeding stage influence subsequent apparent local recruitment rates, with higher recruitment for fledglings from larger broods, and recruitment rate negatively related to rainfall that chicks experienced in‐nest. Additionally, extreme temperatures experienced pre‐ and post‐fledging increased fledging success and recruitment rate. However, we could not determine whether this was driven by temperature influencing mortality during the post‐fledging period or later in the annual cycle. Brood size declined with hatching date. In‐nest survival increased with brood size and was highest at local temperature extremes. Furthermore, nest survival was highest at nests surrounded with 40%–60% vegetation cover of Bracken Pteridium aquilinum within 50 m of the nest. Our results show that breeding phenology and environmental factors may influence fledging success and recruitment in songbird populations, with conditions experienced during the nestling stage influencing local recruitment rates in Whinchats (i.e. silver spoon effect). Recruitment rates are key drivers of songbird population dynamics. Our results help identify some of the likely breeding season mechanisms that could be important population drivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wetlands with little or no agricultural activity support higher breeding wader densities than more intensively farmed habitats within a nature-rich farmed landscape. To test whether breeding wader densities differ between habitats likely to receive varying agricultural management intensity, within a nature-rich farmed landscape. Using the island of Sanday as a case study for the wader-rich Orkney archipelago, a whole-island breeding wader survey was used to generate population estimates and test whether breeding densities differed between habitats under varying management intensities. The island supported nationally high breeding wader densities, which approach those of high-density areas elsewhere in Europe. Densities of total waders and five out of six species tested varied significantly between habitats. Wetlands subject to no agricultural management or livestock grazing in some land units supported higher densities than more intensively farmed habitats for total waders, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago and Common Redshank Tringa totanus and second-highest densities for Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata. Agriculturally unimproved grassland supported the highest densities for many species after wetlands. Agriculturally improved grassland supported consistently low relative breeding densities, and other habitats managed using mechanized farming (lower intensity improved grassland and arable) supported generally low relative densities, apart from for Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus. Describing an entire mixed farming system as nature-rich may mask significant variation in the contribution of different habitats to the maintenance of high nature value. In this system, wetlands that were unmanaged or received low average grazing densities supported disproportionately high breeding wader densities and must be protected to maintain the high densities of most species. The further loss of wetlands, and the move towards intensively managed grassland, is a threat to the maintenance of high breeding wader densities on Orkney and in similar farmed landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tick infestation increased with temperature and vegetation height, and was negatively correlated with Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria chick survival, but not growth rates. To examine the factors associated with tick loads on Golden Plover chicks and whether tick loads correlated with the growth rate or short-term survival probability. Twenty-one chicks from eight broods were radio-tagged and recaptured at 4-day intervals to measure tick loads, growth rate and determine survival probability between recaptures. All broods and 90% of chicks (19/21) had ticks present during at least one recapture, and ticks were present on 81% (70/86) of all recaptures. Mean tick load per capture was 9.2 (range 0–45) which was 13 times higher than the only previous comparable study on wader chicks. Tick loads were highest in warmer weather and when chicks moved through areas with taller average field layer vegetation. Tick loads were also correlated with chick age and date. The chick growth rate was highest in warmer weather and at mid-altitudes (400–450 m) but showed no significant correlation with tick load. The probability of a chick surviving between recaptures was positively correlated with chick body condition and negatively correlated with tick load. This study, albeit from one site and with small sample size, recorded high tick loads on Golden Plover chicks. Although unrelated to growth rates, ticks were negatively correlated with chick survival. Further work to identify the mechanism(s) underpinning associations between tick load and survival is required. Prior to considering whether tick control is an effective and justified management for wader conservation, research should first establish whether chick mortality from ticks limits Golden Plover and other wader populations on moorland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsule:Across Britain, breeding Eurasian CurlewNumenius arquataare less numerous and have shown greater population declines in areas with more arable farming, woodland cover and higher generalist predator abundance. Aims:We present the first national-scale analysis of the potential drivers of Curlew population change in Britain, which is needed to guide conservation action for this globally near-threatened, declining species. Methods:Breeding Bird Survey data and environmental predictors were used to model variation in Curlew abundance in 1995–99 and 2007–11, and population change between these periods. Results:Arable farming and woodland cover were negatively associated with Curlew abundance and population declines. Curlew abundance was positively associated with extent of protected area coverage and gamebird numbers. Abundance and population change were positively associated with cooler temperatures and higher summer rainfall, but negatively associated with numbers of generalist predators. Conclusions:We found support for the negative effects of intensive agriculture, forestry, increases in generalist predator populations and climate warming on Curlew abundance and population change. Effective site protection and measures to reduce generalist predator abundance may be important conservation measures, together with improving breeding habitat quality in the wider countryside. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Capsule:Changes in abundance of six bird species showed associations with moorland management. Aims:To assess responses of breeding birds to moorland management over a 14-year period. Methods:Vegetation and birds were surveyed at 2–3-year intervals and changes examined in relation to sheep and cattle grazing, vegetation burning and cutting. Results:Seven correlations between change in management and change in bird abundance were detected, and six between change in vegetation and change in bird abundance. On plots where sheep numbers declined, Golden PloverPluvialis apricariaand Northern WheatearOenanthe oenanthedeclined. Where a greater area was burned, Golden Plover increased in the initial post-burning period but Red GrouseLagopus lagopus scoticadeclined. Eurasian CurlewNumenius arquataand Sky LarkAlauda arvensisincreased where a greater area of moorland vegetation was cut. WhinchatSaxicola rubetradeclined with increasing cattle numbers on a plot. Conclusions:Bird populations respond to changes in moorland management, but these changes are not always associated with detectable changes in vegetation. These responses of moorland breeding birds to management could help refine agri-environment options and other conservation interventions on moorland. Responses differed between bird species, ideally requiring site-specific planning where managing for multiple species is a goal. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Numeniini is a tribe of 13 wader species (Scolopacidae, Charadriiformes) of which seven are Near Threatened or globally threatened, including two Critically Endangered. To help inform conservation management and policy responses, we present the results of an expert assessment of the threats that members of this taxonomic group face across migratory flyways. Most threats are increasing in intensity, particularly in non-breeding areas, where habitat loss resulting from residential and commercial development, aquaculture, mining, transport, disturbance, problematic invasive species, pollution and climate change were regarded as having the greatest detrimental impact. Fewer threats (mining, disturbance, problematic native species and climate change) were identified as widely affecting breeding areas. Numeniini populations face the greatest number of non-breeding threats in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, especially those associated with coastal reclamation; related threats were also identified across the Central and Atlantic Americas, and East Atlantic flyways. Threats on the breeding grounds were greatest in Central and Atlantic Americas, East Atlantic and West Asian flyways. Three priority actions were associated with monitoring and research: to monitor breeding population trends (which for species breeding in remote areas may best be achieved through surveys at key non-breeding sites), to deploy tracking technologies to identify migratory connectivity, and to monitor land-cover change across breeding and non-breeding areas. Two priority actions were focused on conservation and policy responses: to identify and effectively protect key non-breeding sites across all flyways (particularly in the East Asian- Australasian Flyway), and to implement successful conservation interventions at a sufficient scale across human-dominated landscapes for species’ recovery to be achieved. If implemented urgently, these measures in combination have the potential to alter the current population declines of many Numeniini species and provide a template for the conservation of other groups of threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Capsule:Black Grouse population increases were greatest where new native woodland (NNW) within 1500 m of leks comprised approximately 30% of land area and averaged 5 years old. Aims:To examine whether change in a population of Black GrouseLyrurus tetrixin Scotland was associated with the creation of native woodland. Methods:We examined whether lek location, size and change in size were associated with habitat and topography surrounding leks. We also examined vegetation differences in NNW and adjacent unplanted moorland. Results:From 2002 to 2012 the number of lekking male Black Grouse increased by 90%. Lek occurrence was positively associated with the amount of NNW edge habitat. Leks were larger where there was more adjacent NNW. Lek increases were greatest where NNW plots comprised approximately 30% land area, and were 5 years old, within a 1500 m radius. Plots aged more than approximately 20 years old were associated with Black Grouse population declines. NNW supported taller and denser important field-layer vegetation than adjacent moorland, likely due to grazing exclusion. Conclusions:Subject to longer-term management commitments to stimulate continued regrowth of the important field layer and maintain benefits for Black Grouse, expansion of native woodland could contribute to landscape-scale recovery of Black Grouse after decades of decline. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Previous studies have shown negative associations between wind energy development and breeding birds, including species of conservation concern. However, the magnitude and causes of such associations remain uncertain, pending detailed 'before-after-control-intervention' ( BACI) studies. We conducted one of the most detailed such studies to date, assessing the impacts of terrestrial wind energy development on the European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, a species with enhanced protection under European environmental law. Disturbance activity during construction had no significant effect on Golden Plover breeding abundance or distribution. In contrast, once turbines were erected, Golden Plover abundance was significantly reduced within the wind farm (−79%) relative to the baseline, with no comparable changes in buffer or control areas. Golden Plovers were significantly displaced by up to 400 m from turbines during operation. Hatching and fledging success were not affected by proximity to turbine locations either during construction or operation. The marked decline in abundance within the wind farm during operation but not construction, together with the lack of evidence for changes in breeding success or habitat, strongly suggests the displacement of breeding adults through behavioural avoidance of turbines, rather than a response to disturbance alone. It is of critical importance that wind farms are appropriately sited to prevent negative wildlife impacts. We demonstrate the importance of detailed BACI designs for quantifying the impacts on birds, and recommend wider application of such studies to improve the evidence base surrounding wind farm impacts on birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, the authors discusses impact of hunting the bird Red Grouse on environment. Topics discussed include restriction of the bird to Great Britain; practices to manage the bird like killing its predators, maintaining its feed Heather by rotational burning, and routinely treating its disease; impact of these practices on environment like increase of other ground-nesting birds due to killing of predators, reduction in habitat of other deep nesting species due to burning.

CapsuleBlack Grouse declines across Scotland were greatest on less heterogeneous moorland, at low to intermediate altitudes and, more weakly, around post-thicket woodland. AimsTo examine correlates of change in abundance of Black Grouse across Scotland. MethodsChanges in abundance within 5-km squares between national surveys in 1995/96 and 2005 were modelled in relation to measures of habitat cover and woodland age derived from satellite imagery. ResultsPopulations across Scotland were most stable where unenclosed moorland comprised rough grassland, intermediate heather cover and at higher altitude. Declines tended to be greatest in squares which had transitioned from pre-thicket to closed-canopy woodland. ConclusionMoorland will be most beneficial where it is heterogeneous in composition, and the role of woodland maturation in driving regional declines has support, albeit more weakly, at a national scale. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Understanding large-scale drivers of animal breeding densities and demography has a range of important uses, including informing conservation management. Given the threat of climate change, the importance of developing a process-based understanding of variation in animal populations is increased to inform adaptive management. For a climate-change sensitive species, the European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, we use novel field-collected data on large-scale spatial variation in prey abundance and vegetation structure to understand drivers of breeding abundance and breeding success, and inform potential management responses. The abundance of the key prey, crane flies (Tipulidae), increased with altitude (a surrogate for temperature) and peat depth (a surrogate for soil moisture). Golden plover breeding densities were highest where vegetation was shortest, probably reflecting greater prey accessibility. In contrast, breeding success was not strongly related to vegetation height, but positively correlated with both crane fly abundance and daily minimum temperatures. When combined to model the number of likely successful pairs in any 1 year, the magnitude of vegetation height effect far exceeded that of crane fly abundance. Thus, for golden plover and other shorebirds sharing similar habitats, management to optimize breeding habitat (grazing or burning to promote short vegetation) may differ from management to promote breeding success (drain blocking to increase soil moisture and prey abundance). Adaptive management in the face of climate change should therefore include appropriate vegetation management, as well as maximizing prey abundance. More broadly, as the drivers of breeding density and demographic parameters may differ, we advocate that conservation practitioners collect not just information on species' distributions but also underpinning demographic processes when using science to inform management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collision risk modelling of birds at wind turbines typically requires vantage point ( VP) data to quantify bird flight activity. The number of VP observation hours required to provide such data, and the associated error in predicted collision rate, have not been formally assessed. Using the Band model and a randomization procedure, we examine the sensitivity of collision rate predictions for the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla to varying hours of input data on flight activity. Variability in collision rate decreased with increasing number of observation hours. However, at the asymptote in variability (about 62 observation hours) there was still considerable variability in predicted collision rate. VP watches are likely to be inherently variable, and collision rate predictions should assess the potential error associated with such results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsule No evidence for sustained declines in abundance or re-distribution of two key upland bird species on a wind farm site in the first three years of operation. Aims To describe changes in the abundance and distribution of birds on an upland wind farm during the first three years of operation. Methods Surveys to map the distribution of breeding birds were conducted at the wind farm and a nearby control site in 2006 and 2009. Results Only Willow Ptarmigan (Red Grouse) Lagopus lagopus scotica and European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria were sufficiently numerous for analysis. There was no significant difference in the change in abundance of either species between the wind farm and control site, and no evidence that changes in the species' distribution were related to wind farm infrastructure. Conclusions Upland wind farms may not necessarily result in declines in bird populations in the operational phase. Similar studies across a range of sites should be conducted and published to examine the factors that determine the response of birds to particular developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsule No strong determinants of patch selection were found in set-aside; in cereal fields tractor tramlines were favoured. Aims To examine and compare the factors influencing patch selection by Yellowhammers foraging for nestling food in set-aside and cereals. Methods Observations of adults provisioning nestlings were made at 21 nests on lowland mixed farmland in northeast Scotland. Vegetation measurements and arthropod abundance from mapped foraging sites were compared with control sites within the same habitats. Results In set-aside, no differences in vegetation and arthropods were found between foraging and control sites. In cereal fields, tractor tramlines with sparser vegetation than cropped areas were favoured. Conclusions Set-aside typically offers a heterogeneous sward and birds foraging within this may be less restricted in their choice of accessible foraging sites, relative to the dense swards of intensively managed cereal crops. Recent policy changes have resulted in the reconversion of set-aside to more intensive cereal cropping; this may reduce the availability of beneficial foraging habitat for farmland birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capsule Foraging sites with low vegetation height and density, but with high arthropod biomass, are selected. Aims To test the hypothesis that on intensively grazed moorland, breeding Meadow Pipits forage for nestling food where arthropod prey are most readily available, and therefore that foraging site choice is a function of prey abundance and vegetation structure. Methods Observations of adults provisioning nestlings were made from hides positioned close to 1 9 nests within grazed, 3.3-hectare experimental plots at Glen Finglas, Scotland. Vegetation height and density and arthropod abundance from mapped foraging sites were compared with control sites. Prey items fed to nestlings were quantified and compared with their relative abundance. Results Meadow Pipits selected foraging sites with significantly lower vegetation height and density, but with significantly higher arthropod biomass. Our data suggest that within foraging sites, Meadow Pipits select particular prey types to provision nestlings, in particular, Lepidoptera larvae, adult Tipulidae and Arachnida. Conclusions In intensively grazed upland systems, it appears that Meadow Pipits select foraging sites that optimize total food abundance and accessibility. In order to understand how anticipated changes to livestock farming in Europe will affect grassland birds, we recommend that future studies should investigate the foraging and vigilance behaviour, diet composition and breeding success of a variety of bird species provisioning nestlings under a range of livestock management scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Acting to preserve biodiversity can involve harming individual animals. It has recently been argued that conventional practice has placed too much emphasis on the preservation of collective entities, such as populations and species, at the expense of suffering for individuals. At least some advocates of the 'Compassionate Conservation' movement find any deployment of lethal measures in the interests of conservation to be unacceptable. This shifts the balance of priorities too far. While conservationists have a duty to minimise harm, and to use non-lethal measures where feasible, there will be serious implications for conservation if this movement were to be widely influential. Furthermore, the 'do-no-harm' maxim the compassionate conservationists advocate does not always promote the welfare of individual animals. Human activity affecting the welfare of wild vertebrates, widely accepted to be sentient, and therefore deserving of moral concern, is widespread. A variety of motives lead to the killing of individual wild animals. These include to provide food, to protect stock and other human interests, and also for sport. The acceptability of such killing is widely believed to vary with the motive and method. Individual vertebrates are also killed by conservationists. Whether securing conservation goals is an adequate reason for such killing has recently been challenged. Conventional conservation practice has tended to prioritise ecological collectives, such as populations and species, when their interests conflict with those of individuals. Supporters of the 'Compassionate Conservation' movement argue both that conservationists have neglected animal welfare when such conflicts arise and that no killing for conservation is justified. We counter that conservationists increasingly seek to adhere to high standards of welfare, and that the extreme position advocated by some supporters of 'Compassionate Conservation', rooted in virtue ethics, would, if widely accepted, lead to considerable negative effects for conservation. Conservation practice cannot afford to neglect consequences. Moreover, the do-no-harm maxim does not always lead to better outcomes for animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human activity affecting the welfare of wild vertebrates, widely accepted to be sentient, and therefore deserving of moral concern, is widespread. A variety of motives lead to the killing of individual wild animals. These include to provide food, to protect stock and other human interests, and also for sport. The acceptability of such killing is widely believed to vary with the motive and method. Individual vertebrates are also killed by conservationists. Whether securing conservation goals is an adequate reason for such killing has recently been challenged. Conventional conservation practice has tended to prioritise ecological collectives, such as populations and species, when their interests conflict with those of individuals. Supporters of the 'Compassionate Conservation' movement argue both that conservationists have neglected animal welfare when such conflicts arise and that no killing for conservation is justified. We counter that conservationists increasingly seek to adhere to high standards of welfare, and that the extreme position advocated by some supporters of 'Compassionate Conservation', rooted in virtue ethics, would, if widely accepted, lead to considerable negative effects for conservation. Conservation practice cannot afford to neglect consequences. Moreover, the do-no-harm maxim does not always lead to better outcomes for animal welfare.

Well-established statistical methods exist to estimate variation in a number of key demographic rates from field data, including life-history transition probabilities and reproductive success per attempt. However, our understanding of the processes underlying population change remains incomplete without knowing the number of reproductive attempts individuals make annually; this is a key demographic rate for which we have no satisfactory method of estimating. Using census data to estimate this parameter from requires disaggregating the overlying temporal distributions of first and subsequent breeding attempts. We describe a Bayesian mixture method to estimate the annual number of reproductive attempts from field data to provide a new tool for demographic inference. We validate our method using comprehensive data on individually-marked song sparrows Melospiza melodia, and then apply it to more typical nest record data collected over 45 years on yellowhammers Emberiza citrinella. We illustrate the utility of our method by testing, and rejecting, the hypothesis that declines in UK yellowhammer populations have occurred concurrently with declines in annual breeding frequency.