Conservation Listings

Using a range of data from national monitoring schemes, JNCC, the country agencies and leading non-governmental conservation organisations have made an assessment of the population status of birds in the UK. Published in August 2002, this assessment updates that made for the Birds of Conservation Importance (JNCC 1996). On the basis of seven quantitative criteria each species has been placed on one of three lists - red, amber, green. Those on the red list may be Globally Threatened according to the IUCN, have undergone a historical population decline and not shown recent recovery, or have undergone a rapid population or range decline in recent years. Amber listed species may be of unfavourable conservation status in Europe, have undergone a historical population decline but shown a significant recent recovery, have undergone a moderate population or range decline in recent years, be a rare breeding species, localised, or have an internationally important population. Species that fulfil none of the criteria are green listed. Forty species are red listed, 121 amber listed, and 86 are green listed. The assessment is linked to the Species Status Assessment Programme and when combined with other information will help inform the UK BAP and guide future conservation actions. A quick reference guide (PDF, 53 kb) is available and a paper outlining the full assessment process will be published in British Birds 95: 410-450.