Species Action Plan

The red-backed shrike is a summer migrant that was formerly widespread in farmland, scrub and heathland over much of England and Wales. Following a dramatic decline, it is no longer a regular breeder in the UK. As late as the first breeding atlas (1968-72) there was confirmed breeding in 65 ten km squares. However, by 1980 the population was almost confined to heathland in East Anglia and, in 1989, there was no confirmed breeding for the first time. Since then, nesting in England has been sporadic. The occurrence of six to eight pairs in three successive summers (1977-79) in Scotland gave rise to hopes of colonisation from Scandinavia but there has been only occasional breeding since then. In Europe it is widely distributed but is declining throughout much of its range, especially in north-west Europe (eg a 50% decline in Sweden over the last 20 years). The species winters in east and south Africa and migrates via south-east Europe.

The red-backed shrike is specially protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is listed on Annex 1 of the EC Birds Directive and Appendix II of the Bern Convention.

These are not well known, but are thought to include the following:

Habitat loss. Red-backed shrikes formerly bred in a range of habitats including commons, waste ground, overgrown hedgerows, young plantations and other scrubby habitats, as well as on heathland. In its latter years, the population was concentrated on lowland heathland. It has been shown that, at a local level, habitat loss in the form of scrub clearance resulted in double the rate of population decline compared with that in other areas. However, since the decline in numbers has set in, areas where the habitat has remained have been deserted for reasons as yet unknown. Research in Europe has suggested that a mosaic of suitable feeding habitats is important.

Food supply. The species feeds primarily on large flying insects whose abundance has probably been reduced by agricultural intensification, including habitat loss and change, and the increased use of pesticides and fertilisers. Declines in invertebrate food may have been exacerbated by habitat loss but may also have occurred where former breeding habitat remains apparently unaltered. Changes to habitat and food supply in the wintering and migration areas may have affected the population in a similar way.

Demographic effects, in particular reduced mating opportunities. There is evidence that potential breeding birds have struggled to find a mate as breeding densities were reduced, and ringed adults have been observed to move considerable distances from their previous nesting areas, which is unusual for passerines.

Egg collection. Red-backed shrike clutches appear to hold a special attraction to egg collectors. Between 1960 and 1970, the population within areas subjected to egg collecting was believed to have decreased twice as rapidly compared with areas not subjected to either this threat or habitat destruction.

Disturbance. The species attracts attention from birdwatchers in considerable numbers if it nests in a publicly accessible place. Although the species is tolerant of people on the continent and at nest sites in the UK, it is prone to desert their food caches or `larders` if they are inspected.

RSPB, FC and others have been involved in wardening breeding sites to prevent disturbance by birdwatchers and liaise with landowners.

A literature review of possible factors affecting the population has been completed and a CASE studentship into the ecology of the species (part-funded by RSPB and Sheffield University) is currently being carried out in Austria.

Stuart Benn, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Tel:01463 715000

No local implementation.

Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume I: Vertebrates and vascular plants (June 1998, Tranche 2, Vol I, p73)

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