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Blog post: São Tomé - not the best at football, but boy, just look at the biodiversity!
[Posted on behalf of José Tavares] São Tomé’s world ranking – 196th. About right, nodded Luis, as we stood in the exuberant crowd watching the São Tomé-Lesotho official qualifier for the next CAN (Africa’s nations cup). It was Sunday, our only day free during the busy stay in São Tomé, and we could not miss the game of the year. Last time the national team played an official game it lost 5-1 at home to Congo Brazzaville. But hopes were high this time, judging by the noise of the happy crowed. And yes, São Tomé won 1-0, the lonely goal scored by penalty after only 2 minutes. Lesotho, 147th in the FIFA world ranking, were beaten. São Tomé scored a rare victory! It is easy to find São Tomé at the bottom of the world’s rankings. After all, it is the second-smallest African country (the Seychelles being the smallest). It is also the smallest country in the world in terms of population that is not a former British Overseas Territory, a former United States trusteeship, or one of the European microstates. Its GDP per capita is the 192th in the world. Yet, with one thing São Tomé ranks right up there. Biodiversity. Rare, unique biodiversity. The list is extensive – 135 orchids, 60 endemic land snails, 70 endemic butterflies…and 28 endemic birds (all in an area a little over 1,000 km2). The world-famous Galapagos have only 22 in 8,000 km2, and the well-know Seychelles only 11. A recent paper by some of our own scientists (“Identifying Priority Areas for Conservation: A Global Assessment for Forest-Dependent Birds”) identified the São Tomé forests as the third most important in the world. Everything points to the same fact – this is one of the top global biodiversity hotspots! This is why we are here. Birdlife Africa has listed São Tomé as one of their priorities for network expansion in the continent, hence the engagement with ABS. The RSPB international species strategy has included three São Tomé species that we must try to save. Because they really need saving. Principe thrush – current estimates for the global population - 250 birds ; São Tomé grosbeak – 50 birds; São Tomé fiscal – fewer than 50 surviving; São Tomé dwarf ibis – maximum 250 remain. All in all, there were more people in our end of the football stand than the total world population of these 4 species put together. José Pedro Tavares PS – for those who like stadium lists, we saw 4 species while the exciting game was on – the endemic (and widespread) São Tomé prinia, both palm and little swift, and a western reef heron flying over the football action.
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Blog post: SEEING RED
 The Laganscape and Lagan Valley Red Squirrel Group have teamed up to investigate how our local red squirrels have been holding up against two fierce winters in a row, aggressive grey squirrel competition and the challenges of being a small, mild mannered picky eater in a big bad world. LVRP Information and Countryside Officer David Scott tells us about their planned research project: One of the most frequent questions people ask about Belvoir Park Forest is “are there any red squirrels left?” Well we hope to answer that question soon. Working alongside the Lagan Valley Red Squirrel Group, the Laganscape scheme is involved in helping to conserve the red squirrel population in Belvoir Park Forest, one of the last strongholds of this native species in Northern Ireland. As part of the project, expert David Tosh and his team will undertake an extensive survey of the red squirrels. Over the coming months he will observe the red squirrel population with a view to determining numbers and the capacity of the forest to provide a habitat now in and in the future. This information will be used to develop a conservation management plan to help protect this endangered species both here in Lagan Valley Regional Park and nationally. Laganscape’s dedicated group of red squirrel survey volunteers, who tirelessly remain committed to the Lagan Valley red squirrel, are supporting this valuable project, going out in all weathers to survey the forest. Keep an eye out for future postings where I will give an update on our furry friends. Along with the bluebells and the kingfisher, the red squirrel is one of the most loved and iconic features of the LVRP. We’re all looking forward to a bright future for this adorable and very vulnerable Park resident.
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Blog post: Kangoo ? can do! Our first electric vehicle
Getting a new car was a traumatic experience for me so I decided to do it quickly by asking my four year old daughter to choose which car to buy. I think she did a good job. For others, buying a new car is pretty exciting, and it is especially so today for the RSPB because we get delivery of our first electric vehicle. It’s great to be spearheading a new environmental revolution in motoring. Most of us cannot envisage our lives without some form of motor vehicle, so we need to make them greener. After many years of development and investment, electric vehicles are now crossing the ‘near market’ boundary and there’s a huge variety of makes and models available or ready for launch – from tiny city cars to the powerful Tesla sports adopted by green celebrities. Ours is somewhat more prosaic. It’s is a Renault Kangoo ZE (see image attached) – that’s zero emissions, more on that later. It’s a five seat MPV and looks just like a normal car, but with an electric plug socket instead of a fuel filler. It has a somewhat limited range, just over 100 miles, but that will fine for local journeys, and the network of charging points is springing up across the UK surprisingly quickly. Lands End to John O’Groats by electric venhicle? It’s actually not that far distant. I haven’t driven the Kangoo yet, but was surprised by the Nissan Leaf we had on a week’s trial last summer was to drive. Nice to drive, quiet – eerily quiet – and with plenty of torque for getting up to speed, which is a characteristic of electric motors. And the environmental benefits are huge. Like all electric cars, it has zero tailpipe emissions – the car itself doesn’t produce greenhouse gas emissions. Our Kangoo uses12.9 kiloWatt hours of electricity to drive 100 kilometres and that electricity has to come from somewhere. Using electricity from the national grid, that works out at 71 grammes of CO2 per km, which compares very favourably to the 137 g CO2 per km for a normal diesel Kangoo. As we move to greener electricity generation, this will fall, right down to a fat, round zero if plugged in to a renewable power source. Now that’s a dream worth working towards! Meanwhile, charging at night makes use of the ‘slack’ period of energy consumption, when there is plenty of spare power generation capacity. So, a small step up for us in the climate war, and a potentially big one for the environment overall. We cannot have both our current richness of nature and dangerous climate change – like water and oil, they don’t mix. But would you drive an electric car? What would make you consider one? It would be great to hear your views. (Please visit the site to view this file)
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Blog post: Weathering the weather
By Derek Gruar, Senior Researcher, Hope Farm One of the core tasks here at Hope Farm is monitoring the numbers of birds that are actually using the farm. In summer this requires walking the farm boundaries and recording birds that are seen and heard onto maps. Compared to winter this is straight-forward as from spring-time onwards, birds are starting to hold territory and males readily sing to announce that this part of the field or hedgerow is theirs. Repeated visits over the summer allow maps to be plotted for each species and it soon becomes apparent that that individual birds are found in the same place on subsequent visits, the birds territory. However in winter, most birds have no territorial hold on a discrete area and are free to roam where they like, the main driver of all this is of course food. Put food out in your garden and birds will soon take advantage of your generosity. On the farm to determine bird numbers over the winter we conduct monthly whole farm counts where the farm is divided into small sections and is surveyed simultaneously by a small number of hardy volunteers that brave the weather and the mud! All birds seen using the farm are recorded on maps and after a thorough review to make sure that we don’t count the same flock of yellowhammers, or covey of grey partridges, twice; we calculate a figure for the numbers of birds seen on that particular day. For example, in 2001 on the first ever January count 534 birds of 30 different species were recorded as using the farm. Woodpigeon was the commonest, contributing 216 of these birds. Of the farmland birds of conservation concern this count included 15 skylarks, only a single each of yellowhammer and reed bunting and no linnets or grey partridges. Common birds found included 50 blackbirds, 27 blue tits, 18 dunnocks and 16 robins. In 2011 during one of the harshest winters in recent times, the farm attracted 1338 birds of 39 different species. Woodpigeon was again the commonest contributing 307 of these birds. Of the farmland birds of conservation concern this count included 113 skylarks, 157 yellowhammer and 49 reed bunting, 12 linnets and 31 grey partridges. Common birds found included 58 blackbirds, 57 blue tits, 14 dunnocks and 25 robins. These have shown some small increases but nothing in the scale of the increases of the birds that are dependent on farmland. We attribute these increases to the presence of winter bird food on the farm as in winter 2010/11 we had several small (0.5ha) areas of wild bird cover, unharvested crop strips (both winter wheat and oilseed rape) and 1ha enhanced fallow (EF22 Plot) all of these producing seed resources for farmland bird species. After the harsh winter came the drought, and the associated problems with crop growth and establishment particularly of bird cover crops. For winter 2011/12 this has meant that we have a massive reduction in the area of winter bird food available with just one small wild bird cover plot and 0.5ha of unharvested winter wheat. With this lack of food the January 2012 count was lower than previous years with 1016 birds of 39 species, Woodpigeons the commonest bird with 178 recorded. 118 skylarks and 35 grey partridges were exceptional counts and only 16 yellowhammer and 3 linnets illustrated the lack of food available for these species currently on the farm. It’s interesting to see diversity has increased over time, but it is compelling evidence that winter food availability is a considerable factor in attracting birds onto farmland in winter. Photos: Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
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Forum post: Are these case studies useful to your work?
Two years ago, with the help of Smith Gore, we undertook some economic case studies of farmers creating habitats through agri-environment schemes to demonstrate the profitability of wildlife-friendly farming. You can see these case studies here. We would like to know whether these have been useful to you, or could be made more useful to you in the future. [Poll]
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Blog post: Ascension Island - update on the decoys
Latest news from Nathan and Dane on Ascension Island... At the end of last year we installed two sets of Ascension Island frigatebird decoys on the main island to see if we could attract breeding birds back (read more here). Just in today, juvenile birds have been seen landing among out plastic friends! While this is not indicative that we have succeeded in our mission, it's at least a start and a good one at that. The masked boobies are doing well too, and the Army Ornithological Society had a very fruitful ringing trip to the island, retrieving several data loggers from sooty terns (no mean feat when you are looking for a handful of birds among thousands!) We look forwards to finding out what they tell us about the terns' journey between breeding seasons. More when I have it, Ian. Immature, female and male AI frigatebirds
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Blog post: Hidden jewels
One publication that appeared with almost no fanfare on Defra’s website yesterday was the Department’s new paper on how it intends to discharge its responsibility towards the UK Overseas Territories (OTs). These 14 Territories, scattered right across the globe, are home to some of the UK’s most internationally important wildlife, including one third of the world’s breeding albatross and the largest coral atoll on earth. They’re also packed with unique and threatened bird species- 33 at the last count, more than the entire European continent. Sadly, the threatened wildlife of the Overseas Territories (OTs) has frequently been overlooked by the UK Government in the past. Nothing expresses this more simply or tragically than the date of the last OT extinction: 2004 (the year the last remaining specimen of the St Helena Olive tree died). An outcome which would have been almost unthinkable if the tree had existed on an island off the mainland UK. We think the wildlife on these Overseas Territories is rather special and which we, as UK citizens, have a responsibility to protect. This is why we spend so much time and effort doing what we can to save some of these threatened species such as the Henderson storm petrel shown below. We have just completed a major expedition (led by RSPB scientist Richard Cuthbert who also took the photo below) to restore an island paradise by removing rats which were driving the Henderson petrel to the edge of extinction. But we know that action by RSPB and other NGO partners will be insufficient on its own. We’ve long been pushing for more attention to be paid to the OTs, and are therefore very pleased that every Government Department has been asked to publicly state how it will fulfil its duty towards the OTs. Defra undertook a very collaborative approach in compiling their paper, and we were delighted to see within it a commitment to developing an implementation plan for their OTs Biodiversity Strategy. The current version of the Strategy was a great start, but didn’t have any goals or specifications on how it would achieve them to protect wildlife. We’d love to work with Defra to help develop this. The OTs is an area which could be a relatively easy and cost-effective win for Defra, whilst delivering enormous benefits for biodiversity. Progress here is also essential if the UK is to have any hope of meeting its 2020 targets for biodiversity. Whilst home to over 85% of the UK’s threatened wildlife, the OTs receive only 0.1% of Defra’s biodiversity conservation spending and have no full-time Defra staff dedicated to working with them nor any specific OTs budget line. It’s been estimated that £16m per year for 5 years would be required to meet all their biodiversity priorities, whilst Defra support staff could provide enormous help and technical advice to small OT Environment Departments. Even in these austere times, this doesn't seem a huge amount of cash to do an enormous amount of good. As the UK Government prepares its new White Paper on the Overseas Territories, we’ll be pushing for the commitment to develop an implementation plan to be included, and hope that 2012 may be the year that the UK Government steps up to its responsibilities in the OTs. Have you ever been to one of these Overseas Territories? Do you care about what happens to the wildlife in these far-flung places? What should Defra be doing to help? It would be great to hear your views. 
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Blog post: Bugs and Birds form alliance
If you want to help corn buntings what do they need? A load of large bodied insects during the breeding season is a good start. What about Tree sparrows? Well a good supply of water borne invertebrates makes for tasty meals for any young tree sparrow. Making room for farmland birds on a farm requires the creation of habitats that will rebuild the ecosystem that supports that farmland bird. This may include more seeding or nectar rich plant species and in turn those habitats will support a range of nectar loving or even seed eating invertebrates. The success of many farmers in the South West ensuring the Cirl Bunting has a future on their farms means they haven’t just simply protected this beautiful bunting but they have also increased the numbers of crickets and other insects through careful management and creation of habitats. And that’s the thinking behind Buglife partnering with the RSPB in the East of England. So if you happen to be farming in the East give your local adviser a call about bugs, birds or any other farm wildlife you want to help and we will do our best to help you do just that. The partnership hopes to significantly increase the number of farmers across the region receiving advice on bug, bird and other wildlife friendly farming methods, and provide a one-stop-shop to help them protect a wider variety of wildlife on their land. Buglife is working to protect a range of rare farmland invertebrate species in the East of England including the Shining ram’s-horn snail which is found in ditches and the Large garden bumblebee that needs wildflower-rich meadow land and wetland My new bug-loving friend Richard Smith, Buglife farming & Pollinator Officer said: “Working with the RSPB is good news for invertebrates and good news for the countryside. Invertebrates are very important: they play a vital part in pollinating our crops and wild plants, and helping to maintain healthy soil. By providing farmers with the appropriate advice, they will be able to help conserve our essential farmland invertebrates”. As a result of this new partnership, RSPB advisors in Eastern England will be able to deliver advice on protecting a multitude of invertebrate species including slugs, snails, bees, wasps, ants, spiders, beetles and butterflies. East Anglia is dominated by arable farmland, an area on which many species rely for their survival. With 1.47 million hectares of land in the region dedicated to agriculture, to ensure a healthy future for some of our most vulnerable creatures, it is crucial that the management of this landscape takes the needs of wildlife into account. If we are to support the EU governments target to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2020, it is increasingly important for conservation organisations like the RSPB and Buglife to work together with many more farmers. The new partnership means that we can now pool our resources to assist farmers across the East to save all nature. Protecting and enhancing farmland bird populations requires the reconstruction of broken ecosystems and since insects provide essential food for birds, it makes sense that we help farmers to protect them too.
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Blog post: Food for thought
Blogger: Erica Howe, Communications Officer The other night I came home from work with a food craving! Rest assured, it’s not a good one; not mango or pomegranate seeds or anything ‘healthy’ like that. No, sadly my craving was for sticky toffee pudding and it wasn’t going away. Gorgeous, rich, sticky toffee pudding with custard. I’m making my mouth water just writing about it again. A day or so after this indulgent, guilty episode and I’ve already been to the gym and tried to forget about my new food obsession. However, with the remaining portion sat in my fridge, it won’t be long until I revisit the comforting, sickly, winter treat. Delicious! Although I find it frustrating that my food shopping at this time of year never seems to consist of salad leaves or cool summery dishes that leave you refreshed and energised, I have resigned myself to the fact that you simply have to give in to those little ‘treats’. It may not be the baltic January that we were all anticipating, but winter will still initiate that desire for hearty, comfort food. Even the birds and the creepy crawlies will be feeling it. However, there is no Fly-Through MacDonalds to visit for a quick energy fix or a local deli for a few nice nibbles. With hedgerow food supplies depleting rapidly, garden birds are relying on us to get their food fixes. Whether it’s nuts and seeds or grated cheese and Christmas leftovers, wildlife will be gobbling up the food you leave out for them and coming back for more! Some of the tiniest garden birds like blue tits need to keep their energy levels up as staying warm and looking for food burns plenty of calories. And of course, as the spring time starts approaching (it will soon, fear not!) it will be the perfect time to plant nectar-rich plants to offer your butterflies and bees a quick pollen hit. And there is more good news. You too can fill your belly, guilt free, whilst helping wildlife. Pulse café on Guildhall Hill and Dozen bakery on Gloucester Street in Norwich will stepping up for nature during January and donating part of their takings to the RSPB. So, go ahead, indulge those winter cravings, and stock-up on delicious, hearty, well-cooked food and be smug in the knowledge that you will be doing your bit for wildlife this winter. From buzzards to blue tits and butterflies to bumblebees, every mouthful will be helping the wildlife in your area. With fifty pence of the price of six of the most popular menu options in Pulse (like the espresso cheesecake – hmmm!) given to the RSPB and £1 per ‘Field Loaf’ from Dozen bakery, your garden birds and local wildlife will be eternally grateful! 
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