In a changing world, the development of green energy is more important than ever. One of the most well-developed and cheaply available options is wind power, but there is evidence that wind farms can also have a negative impact on biodiversity. This 2017 study, funded by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative and led by BTO, is the first to look at the global impact of wind farms on bird and bat populations. Although the most obvious threat from wind turbines is that of collisions, as birds fly into the turbine, the threats from wind farms are not solely collision-based. They also have the potential to displace species from their nesting or feeding areas, restrict movements, or destroy key habitats used by different species. The study reviewed 234 papers which look at both bat and bird collision rates with wind farms. These were then examined in relation to several of the factors that may play a role in collisions, including the physiological and behavioural traits of individual species, and the height and energy output of turbines. The results show that birds using ‘artificial habitats’ (e.g. farmland or urban areas) run a higher risk of colliding with wind turbines than birds living elsewhere, although this could be due to the fact that many wind farms are located within such habitats. Perhaps unsurprisingly, migratory birds faced a greater risk than sedentary ones; similarly, species of bat which dispersed further, on average, had a higher risk of collision than those that didn’t. Out of the 362 bird species examined, 55 were considered as being ‘threatened’ by wind farms. Thirty-one of these were birds of prey, species that are generally slow to reproduce and which are more sensitive to the impact of losing breeding adults to wind turbines. Collision rates in general were predicted to be higher for bats than for birds, emphasising their vulnerability to wind farms. Individually, larger turbines were associated with a higher collision rate than small turbines, but wind farms comprising a large number of smaller turbines resulted in the highest rates of collision. In practical terms this suggests that using a few large turbines may lower collision rates for birds, although it is worth noting that turbines with a capacity of more than 1.25 MW were linked to high collision rates for bats. Given the growing demands for green energy, it is essential that we consider the impacts of wind farms on populations of both bats and birds, especially migrants and wide-ranging species. Taking into account knowledge of the birds and bats using an area when considering the placement of wind farms and individual turbines (e.g. by avoiding migratory flyways) could greatly reduce the risk of collisions. The work also underlines a need for more research to be carried out in emerging economies and in relation to offshore wind farms, both of which are areas where valuable information is currently lacking. This will surely help to find the delicate balance between a greener future and healthy biodiversity.

Wader populations are declining worldwide, with causes often being linked to the loss and degradation of habitats, increased predation, and a changing climate. Here in the UK, we have seen dramatic declines in Curlew populations over recent decades, resulting in the species being proposed as the UK’s most important bird conservation priority. If we are to halt and reverse these declines then we first need to understand which threats this iconic species is facing.

The UK has lost seven species of breeding birds in the last 200 years. Conservation efforts to prevent this from happening to other species, both in the UK and around the world, are guided by species’ priorities lists, which are often informed by data on range, population size and the degree of decline or increase in numbers. These are the sorts of data that BTO collects through its core surveys. For most taxonomic groups the priority list is provided by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – the IUCN Red List comprises roughly 12,000 species worldwide and their conservation status. However, for birds in the UK, most policy makers refer to the Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) list, updated every six years (most recently in 2015). A new study funded by the RSPB and Natural England in cooperation with BTO, WWT, JNCC, and Game & Wildlife Trust has carried out the first IUCN assessment for birds in Great Britain. The study applied the IUCN criteria to existing bird population data obtained from datasets like the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). The criteria take into account various factors, most notably any reduction in the size (both in abundance and range) of populations, loss of habitats key to the species, small or vulnerable population sizes, and extinction risk. Alongside this, the criteria look to see if there is a “rescue” effect – such as immigration from neighbouring populations that might boost the population’s numbers, reducing the risk of extinction. The species are then categorised into one of the threat levels below. The results of the new study show that a concerning 43% of regularly occurring species in Great Britain are classed as Threatened, with another 10% classified as Near Threatened. Twenty-three breeding or non-breeding populations of birds were classed as Critically Endangered, including Fieldfare and Golden Oriole (both possibly extinct as breeders), Whimbrel, Turtle Dove, Arctic Skua and Kittiwake, as well as non-breeding populations of Bewick’s Swan, White-fronted Goose and Smew., Over the past 200 years, seven species have gone extinct as breeders in Britain, including Serin, Temminck’s Stint and Wryneck in the past 25 years. The total percentage of threatened birds in Great Britain (43%) is high compared to that seen elsewhere in Europe (13%). Reasons for this are not entirely clear, although it may be that Britain’s island status has something to do with this, as there are fewer neighbouring “rescue” populations. Although the results from the IUCN assessment and BoCC assessment largely overlap, the IUCN assessment raises the level of concern for species such as Red-Breasted Merganser, Great Crested Grebe, Moorhen, Red-Billed Chough (all classed as Vulnerable), and Greenfinch (Endangered). These species might thus warrant closer monitoring in the near future. In contrast, the BoCC assessment identifies a number of species of concern whose declines have been more gradual but over long time periods (e.g. Skylark and House Sparrow). The authors emphasise that this assessment is not a replacement of the BoCC report, but rather that the two reports complement each other. With this new wealth of knowledge, there will hopefully be even more support for those species that need it most.

This stunning new book brings together the latest research findings, delivered through an accessible and engaging narrative by the BTO's Mike Toms, with the wonderful artwork generated through the BTO/SWLA Flight Lines project. If you have an interest in our summer migrants, then you'll welcome this fantastic opportunity to discover their stories through art and the written word. By pairing artists, storytellers and photojournalists with the researchers and volunteers studying our summer migrants, we are able to tell the stories of our migrant birds, and the work being done to secure a future for them. Includes artwork by SWLA member artists Carry Akroyd, Kim Atkinson, Federico Gemma, Richard Johnson, Szabolcs Kokay, Harriet Mead, Bruce Pearson, Greg Poole, Dafila Scott, Jane Smith, John Threlfall, Esther Tyson, Matt Underwood, Michael Warren, Darren Woodhead and others.

The Bird Photographer of the Year competition celebrates the artistry of bird photography, and this large-format book is lavishly illustrated to reflect this. A celebration of avian beauty and diversity, it is a tribute to both the dedication and passion of the photographers as well as a reflection of the quality of today's modern digital imaging systems. Bird Photographer of the Year 2017 includes the winning and short-listed images from the competition, now in its second year, showcasing some of the finest bird photography, with a foreword by BTO President and head judge, Chris Packham. A proportion of the profits from the book goes directly to the BTO to support their conservation work. The advent of digital technology has revolutionised photography in recent years, and Bird Photographer of the Year 2017 brings to life some of the most stunning bird photography currently on offer. It features a vast variety of photographs by hardened pros, keen amateurs and hobbyists alike, reflecting the huge diversity of bird enthusiasts and nature lovers which is so important in ensuring their conservation and survival. Copies of the third book of collected images are also available Bird Photographer of the Year 2018.