The objective of the RSPB is the conservation of populations of wild birds and their habitats rather than welfare of individual birds. Other organisations (eg RSPCA, PDSA, Blue Cross) are especially established to attend to the welfare of sick and injured birds and animals. The RSPB does not have the expertise to cater for sick and injured birds, but advises members of the public to seek practical help from their local RSPCA centre or local animal hospital.

We consider that welfare issues are well catered for by the RSPCA and other welfare bodies which were created and raise money for this purpose. They have the necessary expertise to give guidance on care and attention should a bird become sick or injured.

The RSPB does not have trained veterinary staff and is not equipped with the facilities to treat birds. We believe that to recruit such staff and set up such facilities would divert our resources from urgent work on species and habitat conservation, and would duplicate the good work of existing bodies.

We have worked with the RSPCA in recent years to ensure that both organisations give correct and consistent advice to enquirers and that there is an agreed list of independent centres to which we can refer people.

Magpies are the cause of the decline in songbirds - I know they've wrought havoc in my garden. Why doesn't the RSPB do something about them?

Magpie numbers in Britain and Ireland have at least tripled since 1970, causing public concern over Magpie predation on songbirds (and gamebirds).

The RSPB part-funded BTO/Sheffield University research which showed no scientific evidence that increasing Magpie numbers are having a significant impact on songbird breeding success or population densities at a regional or national level (though the data related mainly to rural rather than suburban habitats).

The RSPB recently funded an analysis of the effects of Magpies on the breeding success of a range of songbirds, using the data collected by the BTO Nest Records Scheme over the last 50 years. This found that the number of birds fledging from songbird nests is no greater in areas where there are no Magpies than in areas where Magpies are present.

We are very aware of public concern about Magpies and so funded the analysis cited above. We believe that further research is needed to determine the effect of Magpies in suburban areas in particular:

• various research projects on the causes of songbird decline.
  
• to press the DETR to adequately fund monitoring and research to support their policy on Magpie control.
  
• to reduce the impact of corvid predation, the RSPB promotes the investigation of methods of habitat, game and stock management and on our reserves we are seeking to develop non-lethal methods of corvic control.

Focusing on predation by the Magpie diverts attention from destructive agricultural policies which cause habitat change in the countryside. These are more likely to be the true cause of declines. However, the RSPB understands it can be upsetting to some members, and provides advice on practical, non-lethal action, such as provision of thick cover, to prevent Magpies preying on nesting birds in gardens.