Important Bird Areas (IBAs) form a network of priority sites that are critical for the conservation of birds and biodiversity. A standard framework for monitoring IBAs is being implemented by the BirdLife Partnership globally. Scores are assigned on a simple ranked scale for state (condition), pressure (threats) and response (conservation action) at each site, from which IBA indices can be calculated. In Kenya, this scoring system was applied retrospectively using information in the national IBA directory (1999) and subsequent status reports (2004 and 2005). IBA indices for 36 IBAs show that their average condition deteriorated between 1999 and 2005, with the mean state score being between ‘unfavourable’ and ‘near favourable’. Pressures on IBAs showed a slight decline in intensity, especially from 2004 to 2005, coincident with an improvement in management that was reflected in increasing response scores. Compared to unprotected IBAs, officially protected sites had substantially greater conservation responses underway, were subject to marginally lower pressures and tended to be in slightly better condition. Other disaggregations of the data allow comparisons to be made for sites in different habitats, of different size, and managed by different agencies. This national example for Kenya suggests that the BirdLife IBA monitoring framework provides a simple but effective way of tracking trends in the state of IBAs, the pressures upon them, and the responses in place. The system is sensitive enough to detect differences between sites and over time, but simple enough to be implemented with little training and without sophisticated technology. The results provide vital information for managers of individual protected areas, management agencies responsible for suites of sites, and national governments, and can be used to track progress in tackling the global biodiversity crisis.

The mountains of south-eastern Nigeria are a western extension of the Cameroon mountain range, which is classified as an endemic bird area (EBA). Unlike its eastern extension in Cameroon, most of the ornithological surveys in the western extension of the Cameroon highlands in Nigeria have produced only limited checklists and inventories. There is a clear need for quantitative baseline data so that conservation problems can be identified. Twenty line transects covering a total transect length of 28.8 km were used to survey five sites (Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, Oban Division and Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park, Sankwala Mountains and Mbe Mountains) in the westernmost extension of the Cameroon Mountains EBA in south-eastern Nigeria. Vegetation measurements were taken to control for the potential confounding effect of variation in vegetation density and structure on detectability of birds between sites. The 193 bird species recorded in Afi, 158 in Sankwala, 124 in Oban, 100 in Mbe and 73 in Okwangwo Division included most of the Cameroon highlands restricted range species. The results show that the mountains of south-eastern Nigeria are important parts of the Cameroon EBA, particularly Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. However these sites are threatened by fire and livestock grazing on the hilltops, shifting agriculture on the hillsides and lowlands, and logging for timber in some parts, as well as wildlife hunting for bushmeat.

The Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea is restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, its population size previously estimated at fewer than 1,500 pairs, and is classified as Vulnerable. A better understanding of its current distributional range, population size, protection status and migration routes would improve our ability to conserve the species and the grassland and wetland habitat on which it depends. We now estimate that the Blue Swallow population in the 1850s may have numbered between 1,560 and 2,300 pairs. Based on an assessment of available data, we now estimate the total current Blue Swallow population at 1,006 pairs or 2,012 individuals, an estimated 36–56% decline over the last 150 years. There may be three separate Blue Swallow sub-populations and seven separate migratory routes between their breeding and non-breeding grounds. The Blue Swallow’s range in South Africa and Swaziland has contracted by 74%. The majority of Blue Swallows occupy unprotected areas on their non-breeding grounds in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Kenya. The Blue Swallow population in Africa will continue to decline unless the causes of reduction in Blue Swallow habitat quantity and quality can be stopped and sufficient and additional habitat set aside to sustain viable Blue Swallow populations throughout their range.

The Honduran Emerald Amazilia luciae is endemic to dry forests of Honduras and currently recognised as ‘Critically Endangered.’ Here we present the first modern assessment of its distribution, ecology, and conservation, based partly on our rediscovery of the species in western Honduras and on our observations in three Honduran departments. We found that dry forests inhabited by the emerald differed in structure and species composition between eastern and western Honduras, where we observed emeralds in open-canopied deciduous thorn forests and closed-canopied semi-deciduous woodlands, respectively. We interpret these differences in light of the geological and anthropogenic origins of dry forests in Honduras, and discuss the implications of such origins for the conservation of dry forests. Although our findings expand the known distribution and population size of the species, its status as ‘Critically Endangered’ is warranted due to its restricted distribution in dry forest fragments and increasing human pressures on this habitat.

Many large terrestrial and wetland birds and some smaller, fast-flying species are prone to colliding with overhead wires associated with power infrastructure. A high proportion of these are threatened species and for some, collision with power lines and other man-made structures is a significant and damaging source of anthropogenic mortality. We review the existing literature on the nature, scale and impact of this problem worldwide, with particular emphasis on the South African situation, and focus on the evidence for and against various line configurations and devices proposed to mitigate the negative effects of overhead lines on bird populations. Cranes, bustards, flamingos, waterfowl, shorebirds, gamebirds and falcons are among the most frequently affected avian groups, and collision frequency is thought to be an influential factor in ongoing population declines in several species of cranes, bustards and diurnal raptors. The bulk of the research on this issue has been done in North America, Scandinavia, southern Europe and South Africa. Few comprehensive experimental studies on ways to reduce avian collisions with power lines have been carried out, although most of these have yielded quite clear results. Mitigation options considered include reviewing the placement of proposed new lines, removing the earth-wire which is usually the highest, thinnest and most problematic component in an overhead power line configuration, or else fitting this wire with markers – brightly coloured ‘aviation’ balls, thickened wire coils, luminescent, shiny or hinged flashing or flapping devices. All of these options reduce bird collision frequency overall by at least 50–60%, although the efficacy of line marking may be much lower for certain species (e.g. bustards). There remains considerable uncertainty about the best-performing marking device (perhaps because performance may vary with both local conditions and the species involved in each instance), and a durable, all-purpose device, that is effective both during the day and at night, has not yet been developed. We conclude by outlining a proposed experimental evaluation of the full array of collision mitigation options, to select the best approaches for use under South African conditions.

Power line casualties are considered one of the main causes of mortality in the endangered Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus, although little is known about factors involved in collisions with wires and their consequences at population level. We studied 18 radio-tracked individuals to determine the risk of collision with power lines at two spatial scales (flight height and span crossings). Through logistic regression modelling we found that the risk of collision was mainly determined by eagles’ home range use, being reduced in kernel 80%, kernel 95% and MCP respectively to 0.421, 0.114 and 0.032 times in comparison to risk associated to the 50% kernel area. In addition, the risk of collision increased in open habitats (around 1.5 times higher than in forested habitats) far from urban areas (2.345 times higher than near urban areas) that were good for hunting, and in cliff areas used for breeding and roosting, where eagles fly at a lower height (the probability of eagles flying at a low height was 1.470 times higher than in forested habitats). A significant positive correlation was found between territorial turnover rates and the risk ascribed to transmission lines with earth wires in 15 breeding territories. Moreover, this correlation had a higher significance for the 50% kernel area when transmission without earth wires and double circuit distribution lines were added, although no correlations were encountered for distribution lines. These results suggested that power line collisions might be more important than previously reported as a cause of mortality for the species and thus conservation actions should be applied in order to minimise their effects on population dynamics. Predictive models may be a useful tool in careful planning of new power line routes and the wire-marking of the existing ones. Kernel areas should be used rather than fixed radii given that distances from nests may not adequately match the risk of collision.

The Scott Islands, British Columbia, Canada, support the largest aggregation of breeding seabirds in the eastern Pacific Ocean south of Alaska. However, large seabird populations were eradicated by American Mink Neovison vison and Raccoons Procyon lotor introduced to Lanz and Cox islands in the 1930s, while the ecological consequences of the introduction of European Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus to Triangle Island in the 1920s are unknown. We have seen dramatic changes in the vegetation on Triangle Island in recent decades, chiefly a decrease in Tufted Hairgrass Deschampsia cespitosa cover and a concomitant increase in Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis cover. We carried out vegetation surveys at Triangle Island (1989 and 2004) and its nearest neighbour, rabbit-free Sartine Island (1987 and 2006), to test the hypothesis that rabbits have caused these changes. We found, however, that similar changes have occurred at Sartine Island as at Triangle Island over the same time period. Because these two islands support the bulk of the world's breeding population of Cassin's Auklet Ptychoramphus aleuticus, a small seabird that selects grass-covered habitat but avoids tall Salmonberry for nesting, the vegetation changes raise serious concerns for a species that has experienced dramatic population declines in recent years. Restoration of seabird nesting habitat by removing American Mink and Raccoons from Lanz and Cox islands will be vital for long-term seabird conservation in the Scott Islands.

The Galapagos Petrel Pterodroma phaeopygia is endemic to the Galapagos Archipelago, where it nests on only five islands. The species is considered ‘Critically Endangered’, mostly due to the effects of alien invasive species, which impair its reproductive success. During 2002–2003 we studied the breeding biology of the petrels nesting on San Cristóbal island. The study revealed particular characteristics of the San Cristóbal petrel population and differences compared to those of other islands, mostly related to nesting habitat, phenology, reproductive success and causes of mortality. On San Cristóbal, petrel nests were primarily located along ravines, in areas of dense vegetation cover formed by the endemic shrub Miconia robinsoniana and a wide variety of native ferns. Over 90% of the nests on the island were located on private agricultural land. The petrel population has a prolonged reproductive period covering 10 months. Laying dates occurred mostly from May to October, with a peak during August, although eggs may be occasionally laid between November and March. The incubation period averaged 50.8 days (range: 46–53), and parental care 103.7 days (range: 98–108). Overall reproductive success was 23.6%; 63.8% for eggs and 37.1% for chicks. Predation by rats was the primary cause (72.2%) of nest failure. Rat control campaigns and clearing of exotic plant species in areas of high density of petrel nests, as well as promoting cooperation agreements between conservation authorities and landowners of the properties where nests are located, are suggested among other critical management measures intended to reduce nest mortality and ensure the survival of the San Cristóbal petrel population.

Assessing human activities and understanding their interaction with seabirds constitute important steps in the development of adequate conservation planning schemes. We evaluated the spatial use of the marine environment by foraging Magellanic Penguins Spheniscus magellanicus and Imperial Cormorants Phalacrocorax atriceps breeding at a newly designated marine park in Golfo San Jorge, Argentina, to assess the potential spatial conflict between these seabirds and commercial hake and shrimp trawl fisheries. GPS loggers were deployed on 45 adults of both species during the 2006 and 2007 breeding seasons. Distribution of hauls made by hake and shrimp trawlers was obtained from the On-board Observer Program of Chubut Province. Penguin foraging range varied between 25.8 and 120.1 km while cormorant foraging range varied between 1.5 and 68.2 km. Distances travelled to fishing grounds were short for both species (< 4.43 km) and, depending on the season, they spent a significant part of their time at sea within waters used by both fisheries (penguins: 17.9–66.2%; cormorants: 46.0–89.0%). In both years, foraging Magellanic Penguins and Imperial Cormorants showed a clear overlap with operating vessels. The observed foraging patterns of penguins and cormorants suggest a high probability of spatial conflict. Moreover, incidental mortality was regularly recorded in both fisheries, at rates that varied between 0.02 and 0.34 individuals per haul depending on species and fishery. Although one of the goals of the new marine park is the protection of Magellanic Penguin and Imperial Cormorant populations, the defined boundaries do not appear to be adequate for their effective protection. Results suggest the need to re-evaluate the spatial design of the park and/or the definition of management actions in waters outside the park to minimise negative effects on penguins and cormorants.