Scotland last refuge for endangered birds

SCOTLAND provides the main habitat for three quarters of the UK's most threatened bird species, according to a new report published today.

The RSPB report names 40 species which have been prioritised for urgent conservation action to improve their current population status - of which 30 have a major part of their distribution north of the Border.

Scotland is the critical remaining stronghold for 11 of the species. They include the Slavonian grebe, common scoter, hen harrier, twite, corncrake, curlew, capercaillie, crested tit, white tailed eagle, black grouse and the black throated diver.

There are now only 22 pairs of the Slavonian grebe in the UK, all of which breed within a 25-mile radius of Inverness. The corncrake, which once bred in every British region, now has more than 90 per cent of its remaining population - just 1,200 pairs - in Scotland's crofting counties.

The common scoter now has only 52 pairs in Scotland. And the curlew, although still widespread in Scotland's hills and wetlands, has declined enormously in Wales, parts of England and Southern Scotland because of inappropriate forestry and predation by foxes and other animals.

RSPB Scotland will today ask the Scottish Government, Scottish industries and land managers, other charities and the public to take action to save the birds.

Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "RSPB Scotland has been championing the cause of Scottish bird conservation for 106 years.

"Working with government, land managers, agencies and, critically, the public, we have achieved some notable conservation successes.

"However, our wild birds now face some very serious challenges from climate change to changes to the way we farm and the fragmentation of habitats from development.

"Today we call on all those with the capacity to drive positive change to join us in saving these attractive species."