RSPB Involvement in the Cheshire region BAP

The RSPB works for a healthy environment rich in birds and wildlife; it depends on the support and generosity of others to make a difference. It is the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe, with over 1million members.
Our work includes nature reserve and habitat management (we have over 120 reserves in the UK); nature conservation planning, advisory and policy work; research; education; and species protection. We are the UK partner in BirdLife International.

Activities in Cheshire

Involvement in local BAP action groups
The RSPB is involved in those Action Plans which relate to farmland birds, for example grey partridge, barn owl, tree sparrow, bullfinch and lapwing. The projects outlined below contribute to the aims of the groups.

Cheshire Lapwing and Skylark Lifeline (01484 861148, free 24 hour service)
This project offers advice to farmers who wish to carry out conservation measures on their farms to benefit two popular and familiar farmland birds, the lapwing and skylark. This advice will have an emphasis on low cost or no cost options, it could involve providing support for funding applications, and/or management advice relating to set-aside.

Waders of Wet Meadows
Through the targeted promotion of the DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS), we are working with farmers to bring suitable areas of floodplain into appropriate wet meadow management. This involves grazing and water level management to benefit breeding waders such as lapwing, redshank and snipe. Reversion of arable land to wet meadows is also an option under CSS. In Cheshire, this project is helping to manage over 90ha of wet grassland through CS agreements.

Bird Aid Project
Two species of farmland seed-eating bird which have undergone significant declines are tree sparrow and corn bunting. Since 2000, across the UK, we have been running a research project to assess the benefits of providing over-winter seed supplies for these species, at key sites. With the co-operation of participating farmers, grain store waste and sacrificial 1 acre plots of un-harvested cereals are being provided. The effect on local populations are then monitored. There are four intervention sites in Cheshire. This project is due to close in 2003, when the results will be fully analysed.

Working with DEFRA
Through the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which makes payments to farmers for conservation measures on farms, DEFRA have a significant ability to deliver benefits for declining farmland birds. The RSPB works closely with DEFRA both nationally and in Cheshire to help target this agri-environment money, eg Waders of Wet Meadows Project (see above). The arable options within the CSS are targeted at certain species such as tree sparrow, corn bunting and lapwing, and we have worked closely with DEFRA and CAWOS to identify where these species occur within the county. In 2003 and 2004, a new Special Project is available within CSS in Cheshire, aimed at lapwings on intensive grassland farms.

RSPB Dee Estuary Reserve
The RSPB owns or manages over 12000 acres of the internationally important Dee Estuary. Important for huge numbers of wintering waders and wildfowl, and for breeding redshank and skylark, the reserve is best viewed from the Old Baths car park at Parkgate, Wirral. The very high spring tides in the winter are particularly spectacular and the Old Baths provide an ideal vantage point.

The projects outlined above all involve working in partnerships with others, and we are grateful for the support of Natural England, the Environment Agency, DEFRA, FWAG, CLA, NFU and the Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

Registered Charity no. 207076