New research reveals that the number of wintering waterbirds in Scotland has continued to decline overall, with mixed fortunes for different species.
NatureScot’s latest biodiversity indicator shows that while wader species are struggling, goose populations are rising and there have been small increases in populations of ducks and swans.
The indicator tracks populations of 41 species of wintering waterbirds using data gathered by volunteers through the BTO/RSPB/JNCC Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS).
Scotland’s coasts and waters are of particular significance for waterbirds, many of which are long-distance migrants, breeding in the high Arctic and wintering here.
Overall numbers of waterbirds were 10% lower in 2019/20 than when counts began in 1975, with large variations in the fortunes of different species.
Over the same period, wader numbers - including species such as oystercatcher, lapwing, golden plover and curlew - have fallen by 55%, but this decline appears to have slowed and stabilised at a low level over recent years.
Wader species are known to be struggling right across the East Atlantic Flyway, the migration route used by the birds. Evidence suggests that climate change, the quality of stopover sites used to refuel during migration and mismatches in insect availability during the breeding season are contributing to declines.
Simon Foster, NatureScot’s Trends and Indicator Analyst, said: “Wader numbers have been falling steadily since the late 1990s, although there are signs that the decline is slowing. But some of our most familiar waders, such as oystercatcher and lapwing, are at very low levels.”
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Posted On: 04/03/2022