The UK is of outstanding international importance for its
waterbirds, especially those that migrate or winter along our
coasts. There are many impressive statistics; for example, two
million waterbirds are found in the UK Special Protection Area
(SPA) network each January. Our knowledge of estuarine waterbirds
has been built on systematic monitoring over the last five decades
through the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS).
WeBS is supported by a partnership
between the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the Wildfowl &
Wetlands Trust (WWT), Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB) and JNCC. The majority of WeBS counts are made by highly
skilled volunteer birdwatchers. The cornerstone of WeBS is the Core
Counts – surveys done every month from September to March at 2,000
wetlands. At coastal sites they are done at high tide when birds
gather at safe roosting areas. Core Counts give us essential
information about bird numbers, but only a partial understanding of
bird distribution in our estuaries. To gather information on where
birds feed, the WeBS Low Tide Counts scheme was created in
1992.
After seven years of Low Tide Counts,WeBS partners reviewed
the scheme and published the results as Estuarine Waterbirds at
Low Tide. This book sets out the methods used for the scheme
and its results.
Counts were made at 62 estuaries over the period 1992/93 to
1998/99 and are presented as a series of maps showing the
distribution of waterbirds. Examples of how Low Tide Counts have
been used by the statutory country agencies to protect SPAs show
the important practical uses of the data. Estuarine Waterbirds at
Low Tide may be of value to colleagues planning surveys elsewhere
in the world, and in recognition of this was published by the
International Wader Study Group on behalf of the WeBS
partners.
Elliot Morley, Minister for the Environment, launched the
publication in January 2004 on the banks of the Humber Estuary. A
keen birdwatcher, he has also taken part in the WeBS Low Tide
Counts and in accepting a copy of the book recognized the efforts
of volunteer bird counters.
Contact file:
Email:
Tel: +44 (0)1733 866816
The WeBS Low Tide Scheme is organised by the BTO on behalf of the
partners and more information is available from Dr Andy Musgrove,
+44 (0)1842 750050.