Summary of RBBP activities, 2023-24

• As part of our anniversary celebrations, two papers reviewing the RBBP’s first 50 years of work were published in April, in British Birds and British Wildlife.
• Our report on non-native breeding birds in the UK, 2015-20, was published in British Birds in August.
• The 2021 report was published in British Birds in November 2023. It featured a remarkable record total of 111 native species/races, and about 27,500 breeding pairs in total, derived from over 10,000 records – our highest ever. The report highlighted our 50^th anniversary, in particular by comparing and contrasting this report with our first for 1973, for species for which it was interesting and relevant to do so. The publication was accompanied by a press release, a summary for our website, and an updated online table of species estimates and trends.
• Data for 2021 were collated and added to the Panel database; collation and input of 2022 data is ongoing.
• Sources of data remain similar to recent years. Submissions were received from all but two recording areas for 2021. A small amount of data remains to be received for 2022 (as of March 2024) but overall submissions have been good.
• Ten data requests, from a variety of sources, were received and serviced. This included two substantial requests from Natural England and Defra for records from designated areas. In addition, indices have been provided for use in biodiversity indicators and the BTO’s BirdTrends website.
• With funding from Natural England a considerable time was spent improving the RBBP’s geographical information system database. Thousands of sites that were incorrectly georeferenced (because a grid reference was not provided with the original data) were moved to the correct location.
• The RBBP Secretary attended meetings of the Scottish Raptor Monitoring Group and co-authored the annual SMRS report.
• Approximately 10 talks about the RBBP’s work were given to bird clubs, natural history societies and RSPB groups, mainly by videoconference. The RBBP Archivist Mark Holling spoke at the Global BirdFair.
• A proposal for a PhD studentship was developed with Prof Steve Willis (Durham) and Prof Mark Whittingham (Newcastle), and we have been successful in securing funding for a student to begin at Durham University in October.
• A bulletin was issued to data suppliers in November, another will be sent in April.
• The RBBP website was maintained with minor updates and tweaks, new blogs, etc. Ten blogs were posted over the year.
• The Twitter account has been maintained; short video clips used to promote effort on various species, as well as promoting the message on species disturbance and sensitivities. All were subsequently uploaded to the RBBP YouTube channel.
• The 50^th anniversary of the RBBP was celebrated with a range of relevant blogs, magazine articles and website development.
• Two full Panel meetings were held, on 12-13^th October 2023 and 26-27^th March 2024. Shorter interim meetings were held in July and December. The autumn meeting was held in person, in Northumberland.
• Two new Panel members were recruited in 2023, replacing Andrew King and David Stroud; Paul Castle and Katy Westerberg will attend their first full meeting in March 2024.