Waterbirds in the UK presents the summarised results of the annual WeBS report, and full data available via the WeBS Report Online. It provides a single, comprehensive source of information on the current status and distribution of waterbirds in the UK for those interested in the conservation of the populations of these species and the wetland sites they use.

Since 1986, seabird populations in the UK and Ireland have been monitored through the Seabird Monitoring Programme coordinated on behalf of partnership organisations by JNCC. Sample data on breeding abundance and breeding success of seabirds are collected from a large network of sites, both regionally and nationally, to enable species’ conservation status to be assessed. To examine trends at individual colonies, at country level and across the whole UK, it is essential that individual sites can be monitored consistently for many years. Data on breeding abundance – the number of breeding pairs or individuals – provide a medium to long term measure of how populations are faring. Data on breeding success/productivity – the number of chicks fledged per breeding pair – are regarded as short term or more immediate measure of population status. Studies at four key sites (Isle of May, Canna, Fair Isle and Skomer) provide information on adult survival, diet, phenology used to help to diagnose the changes in abundance. Additional information on survival rates at other sites is collected through the BTO’s Retrapping for Adult Survival (RAS) scheme (Horswill et al. 2016), although there are no current RAS sites in Northern Ireland. The SMP generates annual indices of abundance and breeding success from these data which are expressed as a percentage of the population recorded at sites in 1986 when standardised monitoring began (JNCC 2016). Where possible trends are given at the scale of the UK or country level, but where coverage is only possible at individual sites, the indices are shown at the site level. The SMP is a vital programme for monitoring seabird population trends between the full national censuses.

Breeding wader populations have declined significantly in recent decades in the UK. During this time, areas of moorland managed for grouse shooting and adjacent areas of rough pasture have been identified as persisting strongholds. A contributory cause to wader population declines is afforestation, and in the Cairngorms National Park (CNP) there is likely to be significant woodland expansion (with associated conservation gains for woodland biodiversity) in areas currently holding breeding waders. Land management planning in the CNP requires a balance between these and other competing objectives. This project was carried out collaboratively with The East Cairngorms Moorland Partnership, which comprises six estates (Mar Lodge, Mar, Invercauld, Balmoral, Glenavon and Glenlivet) and the Cairngorms National Park Authority. The primary aim of the project was to investigate factors, including effects of woodland cover, affecting breeding productivity of wader species within the area covered by the East Cairngorms Moorland Partnership.