Shelducks and waders in decline

ACCORDING to Waterbirds in the UK 2012/13, a report just published by the British Trust for Ornithology, the populations of some duck and wader species are declining. Birds don’t recognise political boundaries and wetland ones are great travellers.

Those visiting Britain are largely the ones which come here. The report, based on synchronised counts, is therefore of particular interest to us. BirdWatch Ireland, supported by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, carries out similar surveys.

Shelduck numbers are causing concern in Britain. According to the Waterbirds report, fewer shelducks are spending the winter in the UK.