All articles tagged with #rspb
Britain's rare Montagu's harrier has successfully nested for the second year at a secret site, rearing six chicks across two nests with predator-protective fencing; researchers have fitted two chicks with satellite trackers to map migration and boost protection as climate change and earlier harvest threaten breeding success.
The Major Oak, a roughly 1,200-year-old tree in Sherwood Forest long associated with Robin Hood, has died after years of decline. Authorities cited factors such as poor soil, weakened roots, prior conservation efforts, and climate-related stress. The tree will remain as a landmark, with its legacy continuing through saplings and acorns grown from it around the world.
The RSPB reports a significant decline in the populations of Great Skuas, Gannets, and Roseate Terns due to avian flu, with Great Skuas experiencing a 76% decrease. The H5N1 strain of avian flu caused mass mortalities of wild birds in 2021-2022, posing a major conservation threat to multiple seabird species. The decline in UK seabird populations is compounded by other threats such as climate change, fishing-related mortality, offshore wind developments, and food availability. The RSPB emphasizes the need for long-term vigilance and conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable seabird populations.