Developing a strategic network of SPA reedbeds for Botaurus stellaris (LIFE96 NAT/UK/003057)

This is a follow-up to the LIFE-Nature project (LIFE96 NAT/UK/003057) concerned with taking urgent action to save the bittern. This project did much to halt this decline and numbers have gradually recovered since, reaching 30 in 2001. This project will seek to establish an extensive network of strategic and independent sites for the bittern by taking action on 19 sites across England. The ultimate objective is to double the population to 65 booming male bitterns within ten years. A new web site (http://www.bitterns.org/) provides information on the progress of the work at the 19 sites across England.

Beneficiary : Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (http://www.rspb.co.uk); Duration : 01-FEB-2002 -> 01-JUL-2006

Comment: Information available via the Life web site http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/life/project/index.htm