Abstract from BTO Research Report No 329:

Wilson, A. & Smart, M. (June 2003)

Breeding Wader Populations in the Severn & Avon Vales Natural Area in 2002 ISBN 1-902576-71-3

Executive summary

• A total of 72 sites were surveyed for breeding waders in the Severn and Avon Vales Natural Area in 2002.

• 247 pairs of grassland waders were located: 142 pairs of Lapwings, 61 pairs of Redshank, 34 pairs of Curlew, nine pairs of Oystercatchers and one pair of Snipe.

• Counts were compared with a previous survey. Wader population changes between 1982 and 2002 were in line with those elsewhere, as indicated by the national Breeding Waders of Wet Meadows surveys in those years.

• Comparison with a RSPB survey from 1995 indicate that the declines have not halted during the last seven years; Redshank in particular is rapidly decreasing in the Severn Vale, and away from the estuary is now found almost exclusively on artificial gravel pit-type sites.

• Densities of Lapwing and Redshank are only one-third of the average found on wet lowland grassland in England and Wales in 2002, Curlew densities in the Severn and Avon Vales were higher then the national average.

• Oystercatchers have colonised the Severn Vale within the last 10 years but remain scarce.

• The only site in the Severn or Avon Vales that attracts drumming Snipe annually is Ashleworth Ham.

• Efforts to stop and reverse these declines should initially concentrate on safe guarding existing wader populations, through conservation measures at near-natural sites such as the Great Hay Meadow, Coombe Hill, the Chelt/Leigh Meadows, Gooseham and Aysham, and Eckington Marshes. Particular attention should be devoted to the Carrant Catchment, hitherto neglected.

• Observations in 2002 indicate that Curlew young could be vulnerable to hay cutting well into July, delaying cutting would be beneficial to this species.

• Long-term strategies for wetland recreation in the Severn or Avon Vales should be strongly influenced by the habitat requirements of breeding waders. It should be noted that an element of arable land is important in providing nest sites for Lapwings.

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