BIRD DISTURBANCE - IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND UTILITY OF DISTURBANCE RESEARCH

1. The levels of disturbance experienced by birds in the UK are diffic ult to estimate but the available evidence suggests that they could be considerable, with significant implications for bird conservation. Th is paper addresses three sources of disturbance to birds in the UK: fr om recreational pursuits; developments (construction and operation); a nd hunting. 2. Legislative requirements to take account of disturbance impacts are increasing but there has been little research to provide a sound scientific basis for impact assessment. A review of studies of the effects of disturbance on birds between 1970 and the present reve als considerable scope for improvement in the way in which results of research are applied. Disturbance effects (e.g. local site movements) and disturbance impacts (where a population is affected) are often con fused. 3. Three example studies are reviewed which may point the way f orward. The first takes a multivariate approach to assess the influenc e of disturbance on the use of sites by birds; the second takes an exp erimental approach by manipulating the source of disturbance; the thir d takes a modelling approach to establish metapopulation impacts of di sturbance. 4. From this analysis, an outline of research priorities at local, regional and flyway scales is proposed.