Breeding populations of Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius and Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula in the United Kingdom in 2007

Newly published research by BTO has shed light on the differing fortunes of two small wading bird species breeding in the UK. Little Ringed Plover first bred in the UK in Hertfordshire in 1938. Breeding numbers have increased steadily since, accompanied by a range expansion to the north and west. The species is Green-listed in the UK Birds of Conservation Concern. The Ringed Plover, by contrast, is on the UK Birds of Conservation Concern Red list. Both species were surveyed in 1984, and again in 2007.

Site-based adaptation reduces the negative effects of weather upon a southern range margin Welsh black grouse Tetrao tetrix population that is vulnerable to climate change

Investigating wader breeding productivity in the East Cairngorms Moorland Partnership Area using collaborative methods

Breeding wader populations have declined significantly in recent decades in the UK. During this time, areas of moorland managed for grouse shooting and adjacent areas of rough pasture have been identified as persisting strongholds. A contributory cause to wader population declines is afforestation, and in the Cairngorms National Park (CNP) there is likely to be significant woodland expansion (with associated conservation gains for woodland biodiversity) in areas currently holding breeding waders. Land management planning in the CNP requires a balance between these and other competing objectives.

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Exploring relationships between land use intensity, habitat heterogeneity and biodiversity to identify and monitor areas of High Nature Value farming