WATERBIRDS IN THE UK

The United Kingdom holds internationally important numbers of waterbirds (swans, ducks, geese, waders, etc.) during the winter, which are counted by a network of dedicated volunteers as part of the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) on around 5,000 sites. These data are used to update the national waterbird population estimates and to identify sites for protection. Meanwhile, volunteer ringers mark around 25,000 waterbirds each year (using lightweight metal rings) providing valuable information on survival and movements. This new study brings together the skills of these two groups of volunteers in a way that is allowing us, by following the movements of individually identifiable birds, to build up a detailed picture of how many birds actually use the estuary, where the key areas for birds are at different times, how long birds survive, and how this changes from year-to year.

PROTECTED AREAS AND TURNOVER

Based on peak counts of birds, sites are identified, designated and protected as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) or Special Protection Areas (SPAs) for holding nationally or internationally important numbers of waterbirds (1% of the national population and 1% of the flyway population respectively). However, a given site can actually be designated for the total number of birds using it. Invariably this will be many more birds than are there on any one occasion because, particularly at some times of the year, new birds are arriving whilst others are moving on. So although the relatively easy to obtain peak counts are generally used to designate sites, it is likely that more sites could be identified as being worthy of protection, and more species cited for existing sites if the total number of birds making use of sites could be measured, and this is what we aim to do with this exciting study. It could mean many more sites being identified as flagship conservation sites.

CONTACT US IF YOU SEE A COLOUR-RINGED BIRD

This project is not restricted to the dedicated band of volunteers already active at the site. If you are near to the coast in East Anglia this winter, please look out for colour-marked Dunlin and Redshank. You may also find individuals of other species, such as Black-tailed Godwit, that have been colour-ringed for other schemes. We also encourage you to submit these sightings

There are two ways to submit your sightings. Records of any species can be submittted electronically here. Dunlin and Redshank sightings can also be sent to Mick Wright and Paul Newton (Email: ). Please make sure that you record carefully the colour, position and leg (left or right) of all of the rings. Please also record the whereabouts of the bird as precisely as possible and how many birds you checked for rings. Add this information to the Further Information box if submitting electronically. Use OS grid references to record positions or record the section indicated on the following map. Your sightings will help ensure that more sites worthy of conservation protection are identified. If you would like to get more heavily involved in the re-sighting effort then Mick Wright would be delighted to here from you.