RSPB Science

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

Caption: Greenfinch on a bird feeder. Will Peach recently led a comprehensive evidence review of the benefits and risks of garden bird feeding. This review underpins a new RSPB ‘feed seasonally, feed safely’ policy. Alt text: Small green finch perched on a clear tube feeder, holding a seed in its beak against a blurred green background. Credit: RSPB / Ben Andrew
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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.

Caption: Will’s work has tested what agri-environment management is needed to reverse declines of several species, including Cirl Buntings. Alt text: Small brown songbird with one yellow stripe above and one below its eye, perched on a thin twig against a clear blue sky. Credit: RSPB / Ben Andrew
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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

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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

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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

@jappliedecology.bsky.socialReposted by @rspbscience.bsky.social

One-size-fits-all agri-environment scheme policies fall short for UK waders 🐦

New analysis shows that nesting season varies by species and latitude: targeted, evidence-based agricultural exclusions are key to protecting farmland breeding waders 🔑

Read the full article 👇
doi.org/10.1111/1365...

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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”

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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”

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