Conservation Science in the RSPB 2006

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48 However, it soon became clear that seabirds breeding there were facing an additional and unexpected threat. Survival of chicks of Atlantic petrel and Tristan albatross (both globally threatened species and endemic to the Tristan da Cunha group) was far lower than expected for a predatorfree island. Suspicion fell on house mice, which had been accidentally introduced during the 19th century. They were known to be superabundant on the island and to have evolved to twice normal size. Nevertheless, predation by 20–30 g mice on albatross chicks weighing up to 5 kg was previously unknown. Further research with nest cameras in 2003–2004 confirmed that mice had indeed become effective predators of large, healthy seabird chicks. Up to 10 mice at a time attacked and ate the live chicks, which subsequently died from their injuries. Observed predation rates were sufficient to drive population declines in Atlantic petrel, Tristan albatrosses and possibly other winter-nesting seabirds. Investigations continue into how and why this astonishing behaviour has evolved on Gough. The absence of other mammals may be important, allowing the mice to become numerous and dominant. The feasibility of removing Gough’s mice is being investigated. Although extremely challenging, this may be the only means of preserving the island’s exceptional seabird populations. Contact: Geoff.Hilton@rspb.org.uk This and continuing work is being carried out by the RSPB, University of Cape Town, and Tristan da Cunha Natural Resources Department, funded by the RSPB and the UK government’s Overseas Territories Environment Programme. Cuthbert R (2004) Breeding biology of the Atlantic Petrel, Pterodroma incerta, and a population estimate of this and other burrowing petrels on Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean. Emu 104: 221–228. Cuthbert R, Sommer E, Ryan P, Cooper J and Hilton G (2004) Demography and conservation of the Tristan albatross Diomedea [exulans] dabbenena. Biological Conservation 117: 471–481. Cuthbert R and Hilton G (2004) Introduced house mice Mus musculus: a significant predator of threatened and endemic birds on Gough Island, South Atlantic Ocean? Biological Conservation 117: 483–489. See also: 2001: 26; 2005: 36 Mouse sitting on dead Atlantic petrel chick in burrow Ross Wanless/Andrea Angel
49 Underpinning the RSPB’s response to the spread of H5N1 avian influenza Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza is not new; prior to the case in Cellardyke, Scotland, in April 2006 there were outbreaks in poultry in Scotland in 1959 and Norfolk in 1991. The virus that is currently circulating probably evolved in poultry in China a decade ago. It is causing concern because it is capable of passing directly from birds to humans without an intermediate host, and the mortality rate in reported human cases is high. Speculation that it could mutate or recombine with a human influenza virus to become transmissible between humans has led to fears of a pandemic. The rapidity of the global spread of H5N1 and the high level of often misinformed public concern about the disease, has forced governments to formulate policies in advance of full scientific understanding. Movements of poultry have been heavily implicated in much of the current spread but, because wild birds have become infected and have been shown to carry the virus across international boundaries, much attention has focussed on them. An RSPB team has been tackling the issue and seeking to ensure that official policy, action and pronouncements are based on sound science. A key element has been to work with BTO, WWT, BASC and the statutory conservation agencies on an ornithological advisory group convened by Defra to advise government on the risks of wild birds bringing the disease to the UK. The message, that culls of wild birds cannot be effective in controlling the disease and thus should not be attempted, has been successfully promoted. The need for a natureportfolio.com more co-ordinated programme of ‘die-off’ surveillance has also been strongly advocated. More specifically, there has been a need to highlight the potential conservation implications for key species at risk from the disease itself or from misguided attempts at culls or disturbance of breeding birds. The RSPB has been playing a major role in the Government’s surveillance strategy. During winter 2005–06 site-managers on 66 RSPB reserves undertook twiceweekly flock scans looking out for sick or dead birds: 161 dead birds of 31 species were found of which 17 were collected by the veterinary authorities. None were infected. The risk to public health in the developed world from the virus currently infecting wild birds is extremely small. The main threat is to the poultry industry, where wild birds could play a role in disease transmission; this risk can be managed through structured surveillance and appropriate bio-security measures. We expect to continue to need to be involved in helping to maintain the balance between action based on science and more visceral responses to public or other misconceptions on the role of wild birds and the feasibility of action targeted at them. Contact: andy.evans@rspb.org.uk H5N1 killed more than 10% of the world population of bar-headed geese in 2005. The regularly updated RSPB position on avian influenza is available at www.rspb.org.uk/policy/avianinfluenza/index.asp Feare C (2005) Conservation Implications of Avian Influenza. RSPB Research Report No 14. RSPB, Sandy.
Page 1: CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2006 I N T H E
Page 4 and 5: Arctic tern on nest Andy Hay (rspb-
Page 6 and 7: 2 Willow warbler Ben Hall (rspb-ima
Page 8 and 9: 4 Funding The RSPB has a policy of
Page 10 and 11: 6 Department of Zoology, University
Page 12 and 13: 8 The application of science
Page 14 and 15: 10 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) • T
Page 16 and 17: 12 Finding a cause for and solution
Page 18 and 19: 14 Monitoring and indicators The RS
Page 20 and 21: 16 Repeat Woodland Birds Survey Sev
Page 22 and 23: 18 The 2004 nightjar survey Restora
Page 24 and 25: 20 Declines in migrant birds breedi
Page 26 and 27: 22 Mapping moorland habitats for bi
Page 28 and 29: 24 The 2004 hen harrier survey In c
Page 30 and 31: 26 The ecology of threatened specie
Page 32 and 33: 28 mechanisms for migration. Techni
Page 34 and 35: 30 Andy Hay (rspb-images.com) Insta
Page 36 and 37: 32 Yellow wagtails breeding on arab
Page 38 and 39: 34 These results indicate the scale
Page 40 and 41: 36 Dunlin Mike Lane (rspb-images.co
Page 42 and 43: 38 survival rates of adult and juve
Page 44 and 45: 40 Woodpigeon Andy Hay (rspb-images
Page 46 and 47: 42 Managing the risk of disturbance
Page 48 and 49: 44 Acid grassland re-creation on fo
Page 50 and 51: 46 Ouse Washes Andy Hay (rspb-image
Page 54 and 55: 50 PhD training The RSPB funds and
Page 56 and 57: 52 Publications The complete list o
Page 58 and 59: 54 Dmitrenok M, Puglisi L, Demongin
Page 60 and 61: 56 and breeding performance of grea
Page 62: 58 Summers RW (2005) The History an

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