COUNTDOWN 2002 - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme

Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Date compiled - 2001
Date reviewed - 2002

Objective

Halt and reverse the current decline in breeding pairs.

Current Status

The reed bunting is a Red List species on the list of Birds of Conservation Concern (RSPB, 1996), its numbers having declined in the UK by >50% over the last 25 years. The species is protected under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and the EC Birds Directive, and is listed on Appendix II of the Bern Convention.

The reed bunting favours wetland habitats with reedbeds, as well as farmland sites with overgrown hedgrows and ditches.

The Cheshire Population has been estimated at 2500-3000 pairs (Guest et al, 1992), and the species is considered a widespread resident in the Cheshire region.

Threats

• Loss of abundant food sources due to:
  - changes in local agricultural practice resulting in a decrease in cereal, grass and wildflower seeds
  - increased use of pesticides and fertilizers
  - loss of winter stubble fields due to a switch from spring-sown to autumn-sown crops
  - reduction in habitat diversity on farmland due to the reduction in mixed farming practice
• Loss of nesting habitat due to:
  - detiriation of wet habitats such as small ponds, watercourses, field drains and ditches
  

Current Action

• The reed bunting will have benefited from Countryside Stewardship Scheme initiatives involving newly created wetlands, and the appropriate management of reedbeds, wet grassland and salt marsh.
• BTO Wintering farmland Bird Survey 1999 - 2002, will collect information on the reed bunting and other declining farmland bird species.
• BTO Common Bird Census and Breeding Bird Survey are ongoing
  

Action Required

• Raise awareness of the decline of the reed bunting and its habitat requirements.
• Promote effective management of key habitats for the reed bunting and incorporate new management prescriptions into agri-environment schemes.
• The reed bunting would benefit from a reduction in the use of pesticides and fertilisers on farmland in order to improve the availability of food.
• The appropriate management of set-a-side and the maintenance of reed beds and ditches will also benefit the species.
  

Action Completed

• LBAP Action Group has been formed.
• Links to other farmland Bird BAPs through the generic farmland bird BAP
• Targeting agri - environment schemes at farmland bird hotspots in the region.
  

Actual LBAP Implementers

RSPB; BTO; CAWOS; CWT; FWAG; Cheshire County Council; PMH Natural History Services.

Other potential implementers

BASC; CLA; SECOS.

Contact

Roy Leigh
Phone: 01606 333296

References

HMSO (1995) : Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2: Action Plans, London.

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