Species conservation is necessary and worth the effort

There has been a growing recognition that successful nature conservation must involve three levels:

«Habitats» involves the large-scale conservation of habitat, for example through nature-friendly forest management or biodiversity promotion areas on farmland.
«Sites» concerns areas with a special protection status, such as the traditional nature reserves or protected floodplains.
«Species conservation» enters the picture when habitat conservation and special sites are not enough to secure a species’ survival.

Species recovery programmes involve species-specific measures to eliminate the factors limiting a species’ population size. Many species that rely on recovery programmes now only occur in small, often isolated populations. Measures are needed to preserve populations and boost numbers if possible. Aims may also include helping the species to recolonise potential habitat.

50 of our regular breeding birds are dependent on recovery measures. The Swiss Species Recovery Programme for Birds, launched in 2003 by BirdLife Switzerland and the Swiss Ornithological Institute in collaboration with the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN, develops the conservation measures for so-called priority species and supports their implementation together with several partners.

Population trend of the Little Owl in various regions of Switzerland in 2002–2016. Measures succeeded in halting the decline at the turn of the millennium. Thanks to intensive recovery efforts and favourable climate conditions, the Little Owl population has since increased significantly, albeit at a low level.

Species conservation is more than providing nest boxes

The traditional and simplest conservation measure involves increasing and maintaining the availability of suitable nest sites. This is an effective measure where sufficient habitat exists but nest sites are few. Nest boxes are provided for Common Barn-owl, Common Hoopoe, Common Swift, Northern House Martin, Eurasian Jackdaw, and others. Rafts, platforms and gravel islands benefit Common Tern and Black-headed Gull. And many places provide nest platforms for the White Stork.

However, habitat quality is often inadequate. Targeted measures are necessary to improve the habitats of many priority species. To protect the Whinchat, for example, large flower meadows cut late in the season need to be preserved. In collaboration with the cantons of Valais and Grisons, core areas have been designated as special protection sites for ground nesters. The Northern Lapwing lacks suitable breeding sites in farmland, and predation and intensive farming practices reduce breeding success. Thanks to targeted measures in various areas, the Lapwing population has been recovering since 2009. For typical orchard birds such as Little Owl, Eurasian Wryneck and Common Redstart, the problem is often not a lack of trees but of low-nutrient, insect-rich grassland between trees with small habitat structures and a small-scale vegetation mosaic that includes bare ground for foraging. Several projects exist to promote these types of habitat. The Western Capercaillie requires open, undisturbed mountain forests with dwarf shrubs, while the Middle Spotted Woodpecker relies on forests with large oak trees and other trees with furrowed bark as well as standing deadwood. Action plans for these two species involve forestry interventions and the designation of special forest reserves to promote suitable habitat in priority areas. Refuge zones for Capercaillie protect the species from disturbance, at least in winter.

The population trend of the Northern Lapwing in Switzerland from 1880 to 2016 illustrates the species’ turbulent history. Numbers declined massively from the mid-seventies, but recovery efforts have succeeded in reversing the trend.

Partnerships are crucial

Future challenges

Species concerned

Western Capercaillie

Whinchat

Western Jackdaw

Common Tern

Common Redstart

Northern Lapwing

Black-headed Gull

Common Swift

Western House Martin

Middle Spotted Woodpecker

Western Barn Owl

Little Owl

Corn Crake

White Stork

Eurasian Wryneck

Eurasian Hoopoe

Recommended citation of the Atlas online:
Knaus, P., S. Antoniazza, S. Wechsler, J. Guélat, M. Kéry, N. Strebel & T. Sattler (2018): Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas 2013–2016. Distribution and population trends of birds in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Swiss Ornithological Institute, Sempach.

References

Arlettaz, R., M. Schaub, J. Fournier, T. S. Reichlin, A. Sierro, J. E. M. Watson & V. Braunisch (2010): From publications to public actions: when conservation biologists bridge the gap between research and implementation. BioScience 60: 835–842.

Beaud, M. (2017): Comment éloigner les Goélands leucophées Larus michahellis des plateformes de nidification et harmoniser une colonie mixte de Sternes pierregarins Sterna hirundo et de Mouettes rieuses Larus ridibundus. Nos Oiseaux 64: 105–110.

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Swiss Breeding Bird Atlas 2013-2016

Birds face a changing world

The state of birdlife reflects our relationship with nature and our landscapes. The atlas presents the current distribution, abundance and altitudinal distribution of all breeding birds in Switzerland and Liechtenstein with unprecedented precision. Most importantly, it highlights the profound changes that have taken place in the Swiss avifauna over the past 20 to 60 years. This comprehensive reference book provides an important foundation for the protection and conservation of native birds and their habitats.

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