Experts from around sixty countries will meet today (22 October) at Loch Lomond, Scotland in a major effort to develop an international agreement to conserve endangered migratory birds of prey in Europe, Africa and Asia.
The UK Government has played the leading role in developing this agreement, and has worked in partnership with the United Arab Emirates Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi. UK Climate Change and Biodiversity Minister Joan Ruddock will attend this meeting of experts and government representatives.
Eagles, falcons, harriers, kites, buzzards and the osprey are amongst the seventy seven species of birds which could benefit from such an agreement. (see end of release for more detail of these birds)
The aim of the initiative is to bring together expertise from around the world to monitor and protect these birds and raise funds for future conservation activity. The joint actions of countries along the international migration routes of birds of prey are critical for their conservation.
In 2005, an independent study commissioned by Defra found that more than fifty per cent of the birds likely to be covered by the agreement were threatened either at the global or regional level. Some showing signs of rapid or long-term decline. It confirmed that an international agreement would benefit the conservation of these birds.
Joan Ruddock said:
"There is no doubt these magnificent birds are under serious threat. Our commitment to their conservation is clear. The Government has brought together experts from around the world to develop an agreement for their conservation. I have pledged an initial £10,000 towards the practical conservation work that an agreement will undertake.
"Such an agreement would build on current conservation efforts. In the UK we have had success at re-introducing the Red Kite in England and Scotland, the White-tailed Sea-eagle to Scotland, and are working to extend the range of the Osprey.
"The agreement would address the future problems that climate change will bring to these migratory birds, and has the potential to contribute to our objectives of halting the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010."
The experts will discuss the geographical boundaries of the proposed agreement, the species to be covered, and whether or not it should be legally binding. The agreement is expected to be finalised at a meeting in the United Arab Emirates in 2008.
A variety of human-induced threats are driving declines in migratory birds of prey, such as habitat loss and degradation and electrocution by power lines. Climate change is a further concern, as is direct persecution in the form of illegal shooting and poisoning.
As top predators these birds are sensitive indicators of the condition of the environments they pass through, such as changes in the global climate which can affect wildlife and people. These extraordinary birds are also attractions for tourism ventures along their migratory routes.
This meeting has been organised in partnership with the United Arab Emirates Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi; the Convention on Migratory Species; the UK's nature conservation agency - the Joint Nature Conservation Committee; Birdlife International; RSPB; the Scottish Government; its nature conservancy agency, Scottish Natural Heritage; and the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.
Quotes
Michael Russell, Minister for Environment for Scotland said:
"I am delighted to see so many delegates from around the world at Loch Lomond. Birds of prey are iconic species for Scotland, but the huge international presence shows that we are not alone in our respect and admiration for raptors. Scotland is home to a number of migratory species including the osprey, the marsh harrier and long and short-eared owls, for which conservation is vital. Sadly, though, there are a number of individuals in this country who still feel it is acceptable to persecute and poison these magnificent birds. However, I am been encouraged by the new willingness to work together being shown by conservationists and land managers. As we make progress here it is timely that international protection for migratory species is also strengthened. Scotland is home to the majority of raptors within the UK and I look forward to the development of a new international agreement aimed at conserving migratory birds of prey and owls in Africa and Eurasia."
Professor Colin Galbraith, Director of Policy and Advice in Scottish Natural Heritage and Chairman of the Conference said:
"Migratory birds of prey include some of the most threatened species worldwide and their populations are excellent indicators of the state of the wider environment. This meeting provides a unique opportunity for governments and other organisations to come together to address some of the key issues affecting birds of prey, including persecution, habitat destruction and the long term effects of pollution. I am confident that the meeting will lead to a new conservation plan for these species in the 21st century."
Majid Ali, Al Mansouri, vice-chair of the meeting, and Secretary general of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates said:
"As more than 50 percent of migratory birds of prey have poor conservation status in Africa and Eurasia and many of them are declining, concerted actions to save them is essential and urgent. This initiative to identify an instrument under the umbrella of the Convention on Migratory Species jointly led by Defra and Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is not only timely, but critical to conserve migratory raptors.
"To make this work on the ground requires strong commitment and bold decisions from governments besides leveraging support from key stakeholders. Many actions needed to conserve migratory birds of prey are common to other bird species; any conservation agreement for birds of prey will have broader conservation implications and will also help in keeping alive age-old traditions such as falconry, practiced with great passion in the entire Arabian Peninsula."
John O'Sullivan of BirdLife International, a global organisation with its headquarters in the UK, said:
"Birds of prey and owls are admired by people worldwide, and yet some species are among the most threatened of creatures. For those that migrate across international boundaries, it's vital that protection and conservation measures are of a high standard in each country, and are well enforced. The best way to ensure all of this is via an international agreement. BirdLife International is urging the countries present at this meeting to agree on a strong mechanism, backed up by the best scientific information. Very importantly it will need manpower and money to be provided from the start, otherwise it will fail."
Rob Hepworth, Executive Secretary, Convention on Migratory Species, said:
"This is an unparalleled opportunity which the British Government (Defra) and the Scottish Government have given to the Convention and to conservation as a whole. Birds of Prey have been valued since Ancient Egyptian times as symbols of the beauty and potency of nature. The success of humans as a species has not always left room for these magnificent birds to survive and flourish. An agreement under the Convention on Migratory Species can change that as well as marrying the interests of those who value these birds in the wild, and those who seek, through careful captive breeding, to continue the historic traditions of falconry. The 110 delegates arriving from 50 countries have an historic mission next week in Scotland."
Examples of migratory birds of prey which could be helped by this agreement
Osprey - its main UK stronghold is in Scotland. It recently began breeding in England at Bassenthwaite, Cumbria and a pair can be found in Wales in the Glaslyn valley. Osprey arrive back from Africa in late March and April, leaving again in August and September. They eat fish.
Merlin - belongs to the family of falcons and is the UK's smallest bird of prey. The UK breeding population is thinly scattered across upland moorland from south-west England north to Shetland. Birds leave their upland breeding areas between August and October, when northern European birds also arrive here, some from Iceland. They return again in April and May. They eat small birds and insects.
Montagu's Harrier - a rare visitor to Britain which migrates to continental Europe from Africa. It is possible to see them on passage, particularly on the south and eastern coasts of England, between May and August. They eat small birds, voles, shrews, rabbits, lizards and insects.
Northern Hobby - a spectacular falcon that catches large insects and small birds in flight, particularly swallows, martins and swifts. Now breeds across central, southern and eastern England, into south Wales and just about reaching north England and southern Scotland. Arrives in the UK from April onwards and mainly leaves in September and October. Winters in Southern Africa.
Eleonora's Falcon - a rare bird of prey that migrates all the way from Madagascar to breed in the Mediterranean during the summer.
Honey Buzzard - these birds nest in southern and eastern England, Wales, northern England and northern Scotland. It is a summer visitor to its breeding sites and spends the winter in Africa. The nest sites of British breeding birds are usually kept secret to protect them from egg collectors. The Honey buzzard eats mainly insect larvae of wasps and bees.
Red Kite - at one time confined to Wales, a widespread reintroduction scheme has brought them back to many parts of England and Scotland. They eat carrion, worms and small mammals.
Experts from around sixty countries will meet today (22 October) at Loch Lomond, Scotland in a major effort to develop an international agreement to conserve endangered migratory birds of prey in Europe, Africa and Asia.
