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RSPB Management Guides

The guides are arranged by publication date with the most recent at the top.

RSPB pages

Field Guides
Secret Lives series
Spotlight series
What's That series
Management guides
First Book Of series
County guides (1940/50's)
Other RSPB bird books

Further sections will be added

The Fen Management Handbook

Editor: Andrew McBride, Iain Diach, Nick Droy, Bobbie Hamill, Peter Jones, Johan Schutten, Ann Skinner and Margaret Street

2011

"The Fen Management Handbook highlights practical techniques but also provides the background science that underpins the different fen management techniques. The handbook is aimed at anyone involved in fen management, creation or restoration from a practical, policy or planning perspective."

Woodland Management for Birds: A Guide to Managing Woodland for Priority Birds in Wales

John Dyda, Nigel Symes and Dave Lamacraft

2010

"Forestry Commission Wales and the RSPB with the support of the Countryside Council for Wales have produced a new guide on managing woodland for priority birds in Wales. It explains the importance of habitat features for birds and provides advice on planning and managing woodland as well as describing the requirements of each of the priority woodland birds identified."

The Farm Wildlife Handbook

Editor: Richard Winspear

2007

"This title brings together conservation management advice for a wide range of farmland wildlife to enable the integration of the needs of wider biodiversity into a conservation plan. Collectively the groups covered in this book represent species from the whole range of farmland habitats; by managing for these, a much wider range of biodiversity will benefit. The first chapter sets the scene for planning wildlife conservation. Subsequent chapters explain the management that benefits individual groups of conservation concern or agricultural importance, written by an expert on the subject. These chapters consist of an introduction to the group, a description of their conservation status and habitat requirements, and details of the management that will fulfil these requirements."

Woodland Management for Birds: A guide to managing for declining woodland birds in England

N. Symes & F. Currie

2005

"This is a joint publication by the RSPB and the Forestry Commission. Chapter 1 covers Woodland types; Chapter 2 lists and covers all Woodland Birds of concern; and Chapter 3 deals with management, including: habitat requirements; woodland structure; managing coppiced woodland; ride and glade management; buffering the woodland edge; grazing and browsing; woodland management and game birds; providing nextboxes, public access and managing disturbance. There are appendices on woodland management grants, tree felling, UK Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS), and important agencies and organisations, and other sources of information."

A Management Guide to Birds of Lowland Farmland

R. Winspear & G. Davies

2005

"This book provides information on how agricultural changes have affected lowland bird populations, detailed ecology on key species that have declined and practical advice on farmland management that will benefit these and other wildlife. The first two chapters are largely based on scientific research by a range of conservation and agricultural organisations and published in scientific journals. The species ecology sections end with a summary of management advice specific to the species. Management of specific features is covered in more detail in the last chapter. The third chapter is based on the knowledge and experience of a wide range of farm conservation advisers. It covers all recognised management topics relevant to the conservation of lowland farmland birds, including those funded by agri-environment schemes in the UK."

The Saltmarsh Creation Handbook: A Project Manager's Guide to the Creation of Saltmarsh and Intertidal Mudflat

A.S. Nottage & P.A. Robertson

2005

"Excellent new RSPB handbook, jointly published with the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). The handbook presents practical guidance on the restoration and creation of coastal saltmarsh and associated intertidal mudflat to help those involved in the planning and delivery of such schemes successfully realise their goals. Following an introductory overview, the handbook covers issues arising in the project-planning phase. Site selection, scheme design, formulation of management plans, funding considerations, the current legal and planning context, the regulatory framework and the process of environmental impact assessment are addressed The handbook then describes the practical techniques available to restore and create saltmarsh. It covers the engineering operations necessary to produce suitable site conditions and the establishment techniques employed to optimise/enhance site development. The case studies presented reflect the evolution of the approach from simple, small-scale, single function schemes to sophisticated, large-scale, multiple-function projects and illustrate how the practical techniques described have been applied to site-specific circumstances. Technical terminology has been kept to a minimum to make the text accessible to the widest possible audience. Plates and figures have been widely used to illustrate the subject matter and extensive reference has been made to other publications in the field, relevant recent and on-going research projects and other sources of useful information."

Habitat Creation Handbook for the Minerals Industry

Graham White & Jo Gilbert

2003

"A practical guide to the creation of priority Biodiversity Action Plan habitats on redundant mineral workings. Covers sand and gravel, clay, soft and hard rock quarries and opencast coal. It aims to provide a reference for the process of planning habitat creation and presents the latest ideas and methodology for the creation of priority habitats appropriate for mineral extraction sites. Also shows practical management and restoration experience through case studies."

A Practical Guide to the Restoration and Management of Lowland Heathland

John C. Day & Nigel Symes

2003

"This guide is a key source of detailed information on techniques for restoring, maintaining and monitoring lowland heathland habitats, a landscape that has been in decline for decades, with many vulnerable species. It covers the full range of management issues affecting dry heath, wet heath, mire and associated grassland and open water habitats in Britain."

A Practical Guide to the Management of Saline Lagoons

P. Robertson & N. Symes

2003

"This is a practical handbook that is based on the management experiences at ten man made lagoon sites in the east and south of England. The book provides guidance in the techniques of both restoration management and maintenance management of saline lagoons. It emphasises the need for adequate survey, monitoring and management planning and describes suitable techniques. The book is aimed at everyone involved in saline lagoon management, including site managers, reserve wardens, rangers, contractors as well as those advising in its management. Useful techniques are illustrated using case studies."

The New Rivers and Wildlife Handbook

Editor: D. Ward, N. Holmes, P. Jose

2001

"In the ten years since the publication of the first edition of this Handbook, there has been a revolution in the philosophy, understanding and techniques of river management. This fully revised edition is a practical guide to the techniques of river management that integrate the requirements of flood defence, wildlife, and other river interests. Chapters cover: River Processes and Biology; Survey Methods; and Management Practices to Benefit Wildlife; Case Studies; and Appendices of Health & Safety, Legislation, and Nomenclature. An invaluable manual for anyone involved in water management."

European Wet Grassland: Guidelines for Management and Restoration

Phil Benstead, Paul Jose, Chris Joyce and P Max Wade

1999

"Takes a Northern and Central European overview of the importance of wet grassland to both wildlife and people, and concentrates on the practical aspects of management and rehabilitation."

Important Bird Areas in Kenya

Leon Bennun and Peter Njoroge

1999

"This book is an important contribution to identifying Kenya's biodiversity conservation priorities. It describes in detail 60 sites in Kenya that meet the criteria for Important Bird Areas (IBAs) - places of global significance for bird and biodiversity conservation. "Important Bird Areas in Kenya" will interest environmental planners, policy makers, wildlife managers, students and researchers."

The Creation and Management of Islands and Rafts on RSPB Reserves

N.G. Burgess and D.B. Becker

RSPB

1998

The Wet Grassland Guide: Managing Floodplain and Coastal Wet Grasslands for Wildlife

J. Treweek, M. Drake, O. Mountford, C. Newbold, C. Hawke, P. Jose, M. Self and P. Benstead

1997

"Lowland wet grasslands are one of the richest yet most threatened habitats in the UK today. This book describes their importance for wildlife, people and agriculture, and concentrates on the practical aspects of management and rehabilitation that benefit both wildlife and their commercial use. Included are some 15 case studies."

Reedbed Management for Commercial and Wildlife Interests

C.J. Hawke and P.V. José

1996

"Describes the importance of reedbeds for wildlife and people, concentrating on the practical aspects of management. It deals with reedbeds as a commercial resource, their industrial uses, and conservation value. Chapters cover creation, management, rehabilitation, and case studies."

A management guide to birds of upland farmland

G. W. Dodds, M. J. Appleby and L. Campbell

1996

"Charts changes in agriculture that have affected bird life and offers management guidelines to help reverse the declines."

Farming and Wildlife: A Practical Management Handbook

John Andrews and Michael Rebane

1994

"This practical guide is aimed at encouraging environmentally sensitive farming throughout the various types of farmland in the UK. Farmers and landowners, students, lecturers, advisers and policy-makers should all find the information useful. Many aspects of farming are covered, from crop and livestock management to game management. The introduction covers conservation assessment, environmental audits, status of habitats and species and farm conservation plans. Other chapters examine tillage, pastures and meadows, lowland heath, hill and upland grazing, woodland, hedges, watercourses, farm buildings, livestock, agrochemicals and organic farming. There are also chapters devoted to legal considerations and sources of advice."

Gravel Pit Restoration for Wildlife: Site Managers' Guide

J. Andrews and D. Kinsman

1993

Habitat Management for Invertebrates: A Practical Handbook

P. Kirby

1992

"Many invertebrates are highly specialised creatures with very precise habitat requirements. This means that they can be very sensitive indicators of environmental change. It also means that they can be lost from a site through small changes in management of their habitat. This book is the first practical manual covering management for invertebrates: it provides guidelines to enable reserve managers to take account of the vulnerable habitat features so important to invertebrates."

The Management of Lowland Wet Grasslands on RSPB Reserves

M.B. Tickner and G.E. Evans

1991

The Management of Reedbeds for Birds

Neil Burgess and Ceri E. Evans

RSPB

1989

"Many invertebrates are highly specialised creatures with very precise habitat requirements. This means that they can be very sensitive indicators of environmental change. It also means that they can be lost from a site through small changes in management of their habitat. This book is the first practical manual covering management for invertebrates: it provides guidelines to enable reserve managers to take account of the vulnerable habitat features so important to invertebrates."