Recent news

Updated 15/06/2009

If you haven't done so already, don’t forget to submit your data for the WeBS Year 2008/09 as soon as possible after the June count. The deadline for paper forms to reach the WeBS Office is the end of October 2009. Why not sign-up and submit your data online? We now have over 1000 online users!

Register to use WeBS online here

Other news:

To access more recent news, including updates on the WeBS Annual Report, information on recent waterbird movements and waterbird research news, click here

To access the news archives, click here.

About WeBS

The Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) is the scheme that monitors non-breeding waterbirds in the UK, which aims to provide the principal data for the conservation of their populations and wetland habitats. The data collected are used to assess the size of waterbird populations, determine trends in numbers and distribution, and assess the importance of individual sites for waterbirds, in line with the requirements of international conservation Conventions and Directives.

Continuing a tradition begun in 1947, around 3,000 volunteer counters participate in synchronised monthly counts at wetlands of all habitat types, mainly during the winter period. WeBS is a partnership between the British Trust for Ornithology, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (the latter on behalf of Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Countryside Council for Wales and the Environment and Heritage Service for Northern Ireland) in association with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.

To find out more, click here

Wetlands and Waterbirds

The UK hosts internationally important numbers of over-wintering waterbirds, attracted here by relatively mild winters and the large tidal amplitudes, which ensure extensive areas of inter-tidal mudflat. One of the principal aims of WeBS is to provide data to facilitate their conservation.

To find out more about UK waterbirds, including status and trends, click here.

To find out WeBS coverage of UK wetlands, click here.

To find out more about wetlands, including the status of designated sites, click here.

Waterbird Research

WeBS Data have been used to undertake a large range of research projects and impact-related work. Some recent examples include examining the impacts of climate change and water quality on waders, determining declines and causes of decline on waterbirds on the UK's protected areas and assessing the impacts of habitat loss and disturbance on waterbirds.

To find out more about waterbird related research undertaken by the BTO, click here.