Waterbirds in the UK presents the results of the annual Wetland Bird Survey Report. 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.

This is the twenty-fifth annual report of the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), documenting the population trends of widespread UK breeding bird species during the period 1994–2019. The BBS is the main scheme for monitoring the population changes of the UK’s common breeding birds, providing an important indicator of the health of the countryside. BBS trends are produced each year for more than 115 species, and the results are used widely to set priorities and inform conservation action. In 2017, the Breeding Bird Survey Partnership adopted the Waterways Breeding Bird Survey, previously funded by BTO with financial support from the Environment Agency, and this report now incorporates news, trends and research from this waterways-specific monitoring scheme. Thanks to all surveyors who contributed to this report

This report details work to evaluate two approaches for producing maps of relative abundance from BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey data. These maps could be useful for setting local conservation priorities and may be better than the published national Breeding Bird Survey trends at estimating abundance for areas with poor coverage or for rare and localised species.

There were mixed fortunes for Northern Ireland’s seabirds in 2019, but monitoring that year also confirmed the importance of the country’s coastline for its 22 breeding seabird species. Key findings of the Northern Ireland Seabird Report 2019 include promising news about Kittiwake numbers. The Red-listed Kittiwake is in long-term decline in the UK as a whole, with numbers of breeding adults standing at less than half their 1960s total. However, this decrease is happening at a much slower rate in Notherern Ireland, and some colonies are actually showing a long-term increase. In 2019, Kittiwakes in Northern Ireland had a good year, with increases at all sites. The colonies The Gobbins and Muck Island fared particularly well, with numbers increasing by 68% and 65% respectively compared to 2018. Razorbills and Guillemots also did well in 2019, the former being recorded in its highest numbers since records began at Muck Island and the latter having its best year since 2016. It is not all good news, however. Fulmar numbers continue to decline, along with Black Guillemot, at Northern Ireland’s best known seabird haven, Rathlin Island. The annual recording of seabird numbers by volunteers is vital for capturing the long-term changes in Northern Ireland's breeding seabird population, and alerting policy makers to the need for conservation action.

The BirdTrends 2019 report is a one-stop shop for authoritative information about the population status of the common breeding birds of the wider UK countryside. The report is based on data gathered by the many thousands of volunteers who contribute to BTO-led surveys.