I also believe that the likes of Montagu’s Harrier and Golden Oriole would now be extinct in the UK if it wasn’t for the RSPB.

Come on surely you have to give them some credit!

We have loads of red kites and there's no RSPB reserve near here. Thanks to Paul Getty largely.

Golden orioles are only visitors here. Thanks to France, largely.

My wifes company were one of the big conrtibutors to creating London Wetlands scheme.

So it's not ALL down to the RSPB 

So the RSPB was not involved in the Red Kite reintroduction scheme? Just one such example below:

http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/projects/aberdeen_kites/index.asp

The few Golden Orioles that do nest in UK get 24 hour protection from eggers. No prizes for guessing who organises the protection!

I've already given mention to the WWT (as in the London Wetland Scheme you mention). The RSPB isnt the only organisation out there, the WWT and County Wildlife trusts all play their part in concerving our wildlife

Come on fellas they ain't all bad and the UK birdlife in general would be in a much worse state without them!

Neil