Birdlife Partner – The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

The RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) is a UK charity for the conservation of birds and wildlife and is the lead partner in the African-Eurasian Flyway (AEF) project. As part of this initiative, it is focusing on wetlands along England’s east coast, developing a detailed blueprint for habitat restoration and creation that builds on existing mapping and Shoreline Management Plans. 

The AEF stretches from the Arctic to southern Africa and is used by hundreds of millions of migratory birds each year, as well as many globally threatened resident species. This critical corridor is under pressure from habitat loss, degradation, illegal hunting, and climate change. Losing these places would have serious consequences for the birds that rely on them to rest, refuel, and breed. Protecting it requires collaboration across borders, knowledge-sharing, and coordinated action to maintain ecological connectivity. The east coast of England is of international importance for migratory waterbirds but is heavily degraded by agricultural reclamation. 

The ERF grant is supporting RSPB to advance restoration efforts along this coastline. The grant is helping assess opportunities and barriers to restoration with landowners and stakeholders, define wider benefits beyond biodiversity, and implementing practical solutions. These interventions will strengthen a climate-resilient habitat network and support efforts to secure natural World Heritage status for the region.