RSPB Wader Birds Survey

In 2006, an RSPB project to conserve populations of wetland birds in to tributaries to the River Thames received funding from The Waterways Trust's Small Grants Scheme to survey wader birds. The RSPB worked with local farmers, their families, advisory staff and the local community along the upper Thames tributaries to foster a greater appreciation and awareness of wetland wildlife and conservation.

Through the project over 3,000 hectares were surveyed between April and July 2006 by 35 volunteers. The results provided a fascinating insight into the population and movements of this type of bird. Curlew was the most common wader in the survey area. Redshank numbers had remained stable and lapwings had had a mixed breeding season, increasing in three out of five areas surveyed. However snipe remain the most threatened species and were present in only one river basin.

The RSPB subsequently introduced a wet grassland restoration programme to increase the populations of wader birds. Wet features and temporary pools are also being created to provide feeding and breeding habitats.