From Iceland to Africa, what’s happening on the frontline to help migratory birds?

“October, for me, comes with mixed emotions. On one hand, the summer, light evenings and warmth are disappearing, on the other, one of our most important species starts to return to the site: the Greenland White-fronted Goose.

“These charismatic birds arrive back alongside thousands of Pink-footed and Greylag Geese and spend the winter roosting and feeding on our Loch Lomond nature reserve. They are joined by Whooper Swans, and flocks of ducks including Teal, Tufted Ducks and Wigeon, all making the journey away from colder and more challenging climates to a place offering safety and food.  

“The Greenland White-fronted Goose is a sub-species of the Greater White-fronted Goose. Individuals from this population are amongst the largest and most genetically distinct of any Greater White-fronted Geese anywhere in the world. They are likely to have been relatively isolated from other forms for many generations.  

“These birds breed, as the name suggests, exclusively in Greenland, with migration staging grounds in Iceland. They overwinter in the UK and Ireland, with the majority of the population being found on Islay in Scotland, and Wexford Slobs in Ireland.  It’s around World Migratory Bird Day – the second Saturday in October – that we start seeing the first geese arriving back on site, with the rest of the population arriving in the weeks that follow. 

“At the moment, the numbers of Greenland White-fronted Geese globally are small, numbering just over 18,000 individuals in 2023, having declined rapidly from around 35,600 at their peak in 1999. They are currently Red-listed as birds of highest conservation concern in Greenland, Iceland and the UK, and Amber-listed in Ireland. 

“There are many factors driving their decline, and most of these are outside of our immediate control. Climate change is affecting their nesting success, with heavier snow cover at the time when the birds are seeking to nest, hindering breeding efforts. The spread of other more generalist goose species such as Canada Geese into their breeding grounds is also a factor, as the birds out compete them for food and habitat.

“Although there is little we can do practically to help them on their breeding grounds in Greenland, we can help them survive the winter in Scotland. On RSPB Loch Lomond and other sites we manage, we take action to make sure the Geese have the habitat they need when they arrive. And we monitor Greenland White-fronted Geese across Scotland, developing and providing advice for others on the techniques that can help them.

“We know that White-fronted Geese need large, open fields with variable vegetation types for foraging, small areas of open water, and a decent length of fresh vegetation growth for when they arrive back from Iceland. They are very site loyal, returning to the same spots again and again and migrating in family groups. Our population in particular is also very secretive and can be easily disturbed when feeding.  

“We’ve already spent the last few months improving their feeding and roosting areas by removing rushes and grasses that have grown over the summer. We also dedicate a lot of time towards observing the birds in the winter, including weekly checks of feeding areas on and off the reserve, counts of juvenile birds, which are important for understanding breeding success, and dawn roost monitoring surveys.”  

“The Whimbrel, or Spói in Icelandic, is special in more ways than one. For starters, it’s the only curlew species that has an established breeding population in Iceland. Along with the Golden Plover, it’s also one of our beloved ‘bringers of spring’. Many songs have celebrated their return, most famously, Sá ég spóa, a folk song so old and familiar that every Icelander can hum along.

“At Fuglavernd, we’re proud to play a direct role in the conservation of this much-loved bird. We manage the Flói Nature Reserve and work closely with partners across Iceland on wetland restoration. Whimbrels in Iceland don’t usually stick to the soggiest swamps. Instead, they prefer the in-between zones: the edges of wetlands and semi-wet areas where heathland and small fen patches mingle.

 “Their life is a tale of two very different worlds. After breeding in Iceland, the population spends winter along the coasts of Portugal, Spain, and West Africa, ranging from the western Sahara all the way down to Nigeria. They usually depart Iceland in late August, so with any luck, by October, they’ve reached their winter havens.

“But sadly, life isn’t all smooth flying for the Whimbrels. In Iceland they face many of the same challenges as they do elsewhere, with habitat loss being the biggest threat. Whimbrels really love their heaths and wetlands, and the latest research shows they’re the wader species hit hardest by habitat loss, since those are the habitats currently under most threat.

“Power lines, summer houses, roads, and expanding forestry all take their toll. Sadly, these pressures are increasing, especially in the lowlands where both Whimbrels and humans are most abundant. Unsurprisingly, monitoring shows that Whimbrels are declining in almost all locations.

 “And that’s a loss we all feel. Few sounds are as joyful as the bubbling, rippling call of a Whimbrel on a summer’s day. Their song connects us to Icelandic nature, often without us even realising it, and playing their song instantly brings people back to nature. They’re also one of the easiest wading birds to identify, thanks to their distinctive downward-curved beak. It’s so unmistakable that even kindergarteners can point them out!

“Whimbrels hold a special place in the hearts of Icelanders, and news of their decline is almost always met with concern. That’s why they’re a wonderful flagship species for raising awareness. Whether through talks, presentations, blogs or brochures, Whimbrels inspire people to care about wetlands and to take action to protect the habitats these birds call home.”

“All migratory birds are special, but I think Turtle Doves are just that little bit extra special. They’re our only migratory dove, and I see them as a much-needed symbol of hope.

“Right now, some very energetic Turtle Doves may already be back in Sub-Saharan Africa… But most are still heading south. Historically, this is where they’ve run into trouble, with an autumn shooting season in western Europe. Unsustainable hunting ended in 2021 and the population in western Europe has already increased by over 30%. Some hunting will be allowed this year, but at a fraction of the level it was before. Still, I can’t help but worry for these beautiful birds, and I hope they come back to us safely in the spring.

“When they do return, they’ll need the right conditions after their long journey. Turtle Doves are a farmland bird; they need dense scrubland for nesting, a water source, and open feeding ground. They’re also quite picky eaters! Their ideal diet is all about seeds, like chickweed and wildflowers.

“This is where the landowners, farmers and volunteers of Operation Turtle Dove come in. Living in a farming area in the southern part of the UK allows me the privilege of being able to volunteer. I set up nature cameras for local landowners and farmers who believe they have the right conditions to support Turtle Doves, or are willing to make small changes to create the perfect habitat.

“The cameras sense motion and monitor all wildlife, not just the birds we’re looking for, so it’s a big task to go through hundreds (sometimes thousands) of shots, searching for Turtle Doves! When you find that photographic evidence, showing Turtle Doves alive and well in your local area, it’s hard to describe the feeling. I always cross my fingers for signs of younger birds, or pairs, as it could mean they’re breeding!

“Of course, our photos provide huge validation for people who’ve allocated part of their land to create a haven for these birds. My dream scenario is that our evidence encourages more to join this brilliant project.

“The best place to see Turtle Doves is probably on private land, so one way to see them for yourself could be to provide the kind of habitat they like in your own garden and attract your own! Or become a volunteer, like me. Everyone involved really believes in what we’re doing, and so they should, it’s working! Seeing Turtle Dove numbers recovering in the UK is like magic, and should give us hope that we can create change for the better.”