Swan-up and duck down, dramatic changes revealed in the UK's waterbirds

Press release on behalf of the following partnership: British Trust for Ornithology; Joint Nature Conservation Committee; Natural England; Northern Ireland Environment Agency; RSPB; Scottish Natural Heritage;
and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust

Signs of dramatic changes for some wetland birds, including the mallard, are reported today as some species reach their highest and lowest recorded population levels in the UK in winter.

Millions of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds escaping the Arctic winter in northern Europe, Siberia, Greenland and Canada, head for our shores, making the UK one of the most important European countries for wintering waterbirds.

The latest population figures on wetland birds - and a host of other species are - contained in the State of the UK’s Birds 2011 report – published by a coalition of conservation organisations. The report provides a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the results of bird surveys and monitoring schemes and projects from across the UK from as recently as 2010.

Overall, numbers of wintering waterbirds have been in shallow decline since the late 1990s, but the underlying story is more complex.

One of the greatest losses recorded in the report has been the mallard – Britain’s most familiar duck – which has hit a new low with the lowest recorded numbers wintering at their most important UK strongholds. The State of the UK’s Birds 2011 report shows that winter mallard numbers have declined by 38 per cent since 1982 and by 22 per cent since 1998. However, the shoveler, a close relative of the mallard, has increased by 27 per cent since 1998.

The whooper swan, which breeds in Iceland, has reached its highest levels (increasing by 122 per cent in the last 10 years) while the Bewick’s swan, which breeds in Siberia, has declined by 44 per cent over the same period.

The reasons for the changes are complex and not yet fully understood. Results from waterbird monitoring schemes in other parts of Europe have shown that some changes is likely to be explained by some birds not migrating as far because of milder conditions elsewhere: a phenomenon known as ‘short-stopping’.  But for other species, such as the Bewick’s swan, international cooperation has proven that numbers are declining across northern Europe.

Martin Harper is the RSPB’s conservation director. Commenting on the importance of wetland birds in the UK, he said: “The UK has some of the best sites in the world for wetland birds and the sight and sounds of tens of thousands of birds wheeling around these wetlands ranks among the best natural history experiences that our islands have to offer.

“Although the numbers of birds visiting these sites may fluctuate, they are vital and must continue to be protected. But the spectre of development, for example from ports and airports, continue to haunt some of our most important sites.”

Other species which have declined since 1998 are: pochard (-46 per cent); dunlin (-39 per cent); bar-tailed godwit (-29 per cent); and ringed plover (-26 per cent).
In contrast, the report also shows that some wintering wetland birds have increased in the UK since 1998, including: avocet (+95 per cent); black-tailed godwit (+53 per cent); and pink-footed goose (+27 per cent). The avocet and pink-footed goose have both reached their highest population levels since records began.

Neil Calbrade, WeBS Research Ecologist at the British Trust for Ornithology, said: “This shows the value of continued monitoring of wetland sites through long-running schemes such as the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS).

“For more than 60 years, WeBS counters have carried out monthly surveys of over one and a half million birds annually which allows us to build up a picture of the fortunes of these waterbirds and how they may be affected by climate change, habitat loss and development."

Richard Hearn is Head of Species Monitoring with the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. He said: "We are seeing increasingly rapid changes in wintering waterbird numbers in the UK. Some species such as goldeneye, are most likely moving elsewhere, but others such as long-tailed duck and velvet scoter, are thought to be declining everywhere and require urgent conservation action.

“An icon of the UK migration season, Bewick’s swans also need continued focus to ensure conservation actions are implemented. And with so many of these migratory birds reliant on our wetlands, the loss of 45 per cent of wetland habitat in the UK in the last 75 years is a major concern.”

Phil Grice, Natural England’s senior ornithologist and one of the report’s authors added; “The production of robust evidence on the numbers and movements of birds, is vital in ensuring their long term survival in a changing world.  This report supports important conservation efforts which protect significant waterbird populations and their habitats throughout the year and provides an ongoing health check on the status and trends of key species.”

David Stroud, Senior Ornithologist, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, added: “Forty years ago, governments agreed the Ramsar Convention on wetlands as an international treaty to stem the loss of the wetlands so critical to waterbirds and other wildlife.  Many of the most important of the UK’s wetlands have since been designated as Ramsar Sites, but the report highlights some of the critically important sites in our Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies that remain unprotected.”

The State of the UK’s Birds 2011 report is produced by a coalition of three NGOs - RSPB, British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust – and the UK Government’s statutory nature conservation agencies - the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), Natural England (NE), Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. (JNCC).

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For further information and to arrange an interview, please contact:
RSPB: Grahame Madge, press officer, on 01767 681577.
Out of hours, please telephone: 07702 196902 (mobile)
BTO: Paul Stancliffe, press officer. Office: 01842 750050 (9am-5.30pm) Mobile: 07585 440910 (anytime) Email: press@bto.org
Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust: Mark Simpson, press officer on: 01453 891138 or 07825 890590
Joint Nature Conservation Committee: Joint Nature Conservation Committee: JNCC Press Office: 01733 866839. Email: communications@jncc.gov.uk
Natural England: Emma Lusby, press officer, Tel: 0300 060 4231 or 07900 608073
emma.lusby@naturalengland.org.uk
Broadcast-quality radio interviews:
To arrange an ISDN broadcast-quality radio interview please speak to one of the contacts above.
Photographs:
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