Common Redshank Tringa Totanus Research Articles

Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus diet and hunting habitat selection in the breeding season: implications for lowland breeding waders

ABSTRACT Capsule A temporal mismatch between peak Marsh Harrier hunting activity and wader chick availability means that in most years waders contribute a negligible component of Marsh Harrier breeding season diet when nesting adjacent to lowland grassland, despite a spatial overlap in their habitat use. Aims To examine the potential for conservation conflict with breeding waders by assessing spatio-temporal patterns in Marsh Harrier hunting activity and examining historical and recent data on Marsh Harrier breeding season diet. Methods We monitored Marsh Harrier hunting behaviour in relation to time-in-season and habitat characteristics, and examined nest hatching records of Marsh Harrier and wader nests (Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Common Redshank Tringa totanus, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa) for evidence of temporal overlap between hunting peaks and predicted wader chick availability. We also recorded prey provisioning to Marsh Harrier broods using nest cameras (2013–2015) and combined this with Marsh Harrier diet studies across Europe from 1942 to 2016. Results Wader adults and chicks contributed only a small proportion (average 1.5%) to the diet of Marsh Harriers nesting adjacent to breeding wader habitats between 1942 and 2016. This was likely due to a temporal mismatch in the peak of harrier hunting and the predicted availability of wader chicks in most years, despite a spatial overlap in habitat use between wader chick-rearing and Marsh Harrier hunting. Conclusion Conservation conflict between breeding Marsh Harriers and waders on lowland grassland is likely to be minimal in most years, with little evidence of waders as harrier prey items. However, harrier hunting activity increases through the breeding season, driven by the timing of their nesting and chick-rearing, and hunting activity was highest over field centres, where waders breed, so later-nesting wader pairs are still at risk. Wader conservation strategies that encourage survival of early wader nests may therefore limit predation and conservation conflict with Marsh Harriers.

Adaptive flight speeds in the Common Redshank Tringa totanus

Adaptive flight speeds in the Common Redshank Tringa totanus

The effect of conservation interventions on the abundance of breeding waders within nature reserves in the United Kingdom

Breeding populations of many wading birds have declined globally, primarily caused by habitat degradation and loss. In the UK, population declines have been particularly notable on lowland wet grasslands. In response, some areas of lowland wet grassland have been restored and are under ongoing management to improve the breeding conditions of target species. Here, we assess the efficacy of management measures using a Bayesian framework and controlling for confounding factors. We focus on four wader species, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago and Common Redshank Tringa totanus, that breed in numbers on wet grassland reserve sites in the UK. We collated annual site‐specific climate variables, management information (e.g. the creation of wet features and predator control measures) and bird counts between 1994 and 2018. We found the effects of conservation actions varied between intervention types and species. For Lapwing and Redshank, excluding predators by predator‐exclusion fencing, especially in combination with fox control, was generally associated with higher breeding counts. For all study species, sites with longer histories of management were associated with higher breeding numbers, with the effect of site age being particularly notable for management on former arable land. Our findings support the effectiveness of targeted conservation actions to achieve high numbers of breeding waders on lowland wet grassland reserves, and also highlight the value of consistent and reliable monitoring data.

Effects of overhead power‐lines on the density of ground‐nesting birds in open sub‐arctic habitats

Yearly electricity production has increased steadily worlwide in recent decades and the associated overhead power lines are widespread and occur across urban and natural habitats, and often in remote areas where there is little other anthropogenic influence. Here we assessed the effects of overhead power lines on the density of ground‐nesting birds in the Icelandic lowlands, which host several populations of international importance. The combined breeding density of the eight study species increased significantly from ~ 112 birds/km2 close (< 50 m) to the power lines to ~ 177 birds/km2 away (450–500 m) from the power lines, with two of these species (Eurasian Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus and Common Redshank Tringa totanus) increasing significantly with distance from power lines and six species (European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis, Black‐tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Dunlin Calidris alpina and Redwing Turdus iliacus) showing no changes. These findings suggest that power lines can influence the breeding density of ground‐nesting bird species in their vicinity and that accounting for such effects when planning future infrastructure will be imperative.

Wetlands support higher breeding wader densities than farmed habitats within a nature-rich farming system

ABSTRACT Capsule Wetlands with little or no agricultural activity support higher breeding wader densities than more intensively farmed habitats within a nature-rich farmed landscape. Aims To test whether breeding wader densities differ between habitats likely to receive varying agricultural management intensity, within a nature-rich farmed landscape. Methods Using the island of Sanday as a case study for the wader-rich Orkney archipelago, a whole-island breeding wader survey was used to generate population estimates and test whether breeding densities differed between habitats under varying management intensities. Results The island supported nationally high breeding wader densities, which approach those of high-density areas elsewhere in Europe. Densities of total waders and five out of six species tested varied significantly between habitats. Wetlands subject to no agricultural management or livestock grazing in some land units supported higher densities than more intensively farmed habitats for total waders, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago and Common Redshank Tringa totanus and second-highest densities for Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata. Agriculturally unimproved grassland supported the highest densities for many species after wetlands. Agriculturally improved grassland supported consistently low relative breeding densities, and other habitats managed using mechanized farming (lower intensity improved grassland and arable) supported generally low relative densities, apart from for Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus. Conclusions Describing an entire mixed farming system as nature-rich may mask significant variation in the contribution of different habitats to the maintenance of high nature value. In this system, wetlands that were unmanaged or received low average grazing densities supported disproportionately high breeding wader densities and must be protected to maintain the high densities of most species. The further loss of wetlands, and the move towards intensively managed grassland, is a threat to the maintenance of high breeding wader densities on Orkney and in similar farmed landscapes.

Shorebirds wintering in Southeast Asia demonstrate trans-Himalayan flights

Many birds wintering in the Indian subcontinent fly across the Himalayas during migration, including Bar-headed Geese (Anser indicus), Demoiselle Cranes (Anthropoides virgo) and Ruddy Shelducks (Tadorna ferruginea). However, little is known about whether shorebirds migrate across the Himalayas from wintering grounds beyond the Indian subcontinent. Using geolocators and satellite tracking devices, we demonstrate for the first time that Common Redshanks (Tringa totanus) and Whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus) wintering in Singapore can directly fly over the Himalayas to reach breeding grounds in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and north-central Russia respectively. The results also show that migratory shorebirds wintering in Southeast Asia can use both the Central Asian Flyway and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. For Redshanks, westerly-breeding birds crossed the Himalayas while more easterly breeders on the Plateau migrated east of the Himalayas. For Whimbrels, an individual that crossed the Himalayas was probably from a breeding population that was different from the others that migrated along the coast up the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The minimum required altitude of routes of trans-Himalayan Redshanks were no higher on average than those of eastern migrants, but geolocator temperature data indicate that birds departing Singapore flew at high elevations even when not required to by topography, suggesting that the Himalayan mountain range may be less of a barrier than assumed.

The Shetland Bird Survey: population trends for widespread breeding birds 2002–2019

ABSTRACT Capsule Population trends are estimated for the first time for 12 species based on Shetland Breeding Bird Survey data collected between 2002 and 2019. Aim To provide population trends for a selection of commoner breeding waders and passerines on the Shetland Isles, the most northerly region of the UK, which has historically been under-represented in national bird monitoring schemes. Methods One hundred and forty-five self-selected 1-km2 squares were surveyed between 2002 and 2019 using similar methods to the BTO/JNCC/RSPB Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), the main breeding bird monitoring scheme in the UK. Results Over 17 years, Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, and Common Redshank Tringa totanus populations declined whilst Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata and Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago showed no significant changes in their population trends. For passerines, Common Skylark Alauda arvensis and Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe populations declined, whilst Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris, Common Blackbird Turdus merula, and House Sparrow Passer domesticus increased. Winter Wren Troglodytes troglodytes and Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis showed no significant population changes. Comparisons with BBS trends for the UK and for Scotland are provided. For Eurasian Curlew, Common Starling, and House Sparrow, trends were more favourable in Shetland than elsewhere in UK. Conclusion The Shetland Breeding Bird Survey provides useful trends for several bird species, which include important breeding numbers of Winter Wren and Common Starling (both endemic subspecies), as well as nationally important wader populations. We recommend increasing the number of survey squares sampled each year, which would increase the precision of population estimates. The inclusion of a random or stratified element to square selection would help to ensure that these trends are representative of the wider region.

A longitudinal study of the effects of trees, geese and avian predators on breeding wader meadow birds: the case of the Demmerik polder, the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, breeding populations of wader meadow birds are in sharp decline. One possible cause is that breeding areas are becoming less open because of tall trees and other factors. The effects of tree lines are generally studied by means of transversal studies spanning a short period of time. We report on a longitudinal field study from 1993 to 2010 into the breeding densities of Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus), Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) and Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) in the Demmerik polder, the Netherlands. One part of this polder, a nature reserve, has an older tree line, while two agricultural parts are divided by a newly developing tree line. As the tree line in the agricultural parts was developing, foraging families of Greylag Goose (Anser anser) showed a strong increase in only one of these parts during the breeding season. During the same period, the density of avian predators also increased in the whole polder. Analysis shows waders avoid trees in both situations: with an existing tree line (a static situation) and with a growing tree line (a dynamic situation). We investigated the possible role of geese and avian predators in explaining the decline in density of breeding wader meadow birds, by systematic comparison of several different models. In these models, the effect of the growing tree line has the greatest impact on breeding meadow birds. Models with geese describe the trends of breeding wader meadow birds better than those including avian predators, but since these two variables, geese and avian predators, are confounded, no definitive conclusion can yet be drawn. Potential explanations of and functional mechanisms behind the strong decline in breeding meadow bird populations in this area are discussed.

Mark Mansel Rehfisch (11 October 1960 – 8 October 2019)

Mark Mansel Rehfisch (11 October 1960 – 8 October 2019)

Drones Improve Effectiveness and Reduce Disturbance of Censusing Common Redshanks Tringa totanus Breeding on Salt Marshes

Censusing breeding Common Redshanks Tringa totanus is hard, in view of the difficulty to access the breeding sites, find the highly camouflaged nests and avoid disturbing nesting birds. Drones are increasingly used to census waterbirds, owing to their capacity to overcome most of these difficulties. The present study aims to compare effectiveness, managerial efficiency and safety for birds of drone-conducted counts on a population of Redshanks breeding on a saltmarsh area of the Lagoon of Venice (NE Italy). Thirty-one drone flights on 29 marsh islands covering 6940 m, were conducted. We divided surveys into transects, each 20 m long and 10 m wide. In 2017–2018, drone flights counted 99 Redshank pairs, versus a count of 75 from ground censuses, in an area of 6.94 ha. Ninety-one breeding pairs of Redshanks were ascertained, combining results obtained with both methods. Drone surveys achieved a far better sensitivity and a slightly worse specificity than ground censuses. Overall, the average coefficient of agreement between methods was good, classified as substantial (Cohen's kappa = 0.76). Mean time spent to survey a transect of 20 m with a drone was far less than with the traditional approach: 4.2 ± 0 vs. 137 ± 29 s. Overall, 13.2 h were spent on censusing the whole area by the traditional approach vs. 0.46 h using the drone (–96.5%). Excluding the cost of the drone, this corresponded to an operational cost reduction of 94%. No apparent negative effects on nesting pairs or clutches were observed. Our study shows that drone flights constitute the least invasive option for studies on the breeding biology of Redshanks nesting at low densities on saltmarshes. Using a drone improved the effectiveness of nest finding and reduced disturbance to incubating birds. Integrating this new tool into the traditional ground searching approach would allow researchers to more rapidly identify nests, while at the same time reducing costs.

Part 14: Ageing and sexing the Common Redshank Tringa totanus

Part 14: Ageing and sexing the Common Redshank Tringa totanus

Managing coastal grasslands for an endangered wader species can give a positive result only when expanding the area of open landscape

Abstract The rapid loss of wetlands during the 20th century has caused a severe decline in the biota associated with these habitats. In Europe, the loss of wet grasslands has seriously affected breeding waders, whose numbers have halved in the past 50 years and remaining populations are facing fragmented, low quality habitats. To improve the remaining sites as breeding grounds for these birds, the exact habitat requirements of the species need to be known. Our study was carried out in Boreal Baltic coastal grasslands in Estonia, where land abandonment has been the main reason behind waders’ population declines in the past decades. Hence, we focus on partially overgrown fields, aiming to ascertain habitat characteristics determining the breeding site selection of meadow birds, especially the endangered Southern Dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii). We studied the breeding site selection of four wader species (Southern Dunlin, Common Redshank (Tringa totanus), Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) and Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)) in 23 coastal grasslands over two years. We analysed seven habitat characteristics which could influence the breeding habitat selection of these species. Our study demonstrates that breeding sites of all studied wader species are located closer to wet areas and coastline and further away from woodland. Also, the height of the ground level has an impact on the breeding probability, with lower areas favoured. Concerning the Southern Dunlin, our results show that on sites where the species was absent, suitable breeding sites, regarding the distance from woodland edge, were absent. Thus, reforestation of grasslands may be the key reason behind the poor population status of the species. We also demonstrated that proximity of reed beds did not influence the breeding site selection of waders – a result which contradicts current wet grassland management suggestions. Expanding the open landscape, maintaining a large quantity of wet features suitable for foraging and preventing overgrowth of coastline and lower parts of the meadow makes the habitat optimal for breeding waders. Concerning the growth of the population size and spatial distribution of the Southern Dunlin, removal of woodlands adjacent to grasslands is crucial.

Nest trampling and ground nesting birds: Quantifying temporal and spatial overlap between cattle activity and breeding redshank.

Conservation grazing for breeding birds needs to balance the positive effects on vegetation structure and negative effects of nest trampling. In the UK, populations of Common redshank Tringa totanus breeding on saltmarshes declined by >50% between 1985 and 2011. These declines have been linked to changes in grazing management. The highest breeding densities of redshank on saltmarshes are found in lightly grazed areas. Conservation initiatives have encouraged low‐intensity grazing at <1 cattle/ha, but even these levels of grazing can result in high levels of nest trampling. If livestock distribution is not spatially or temporally homogenous but concentrated where and when redshank breed, rates of nest trampling may be much higher than expected based on livestock density alone. By GPS tracking cattle on saltmarshes and monitoring trampling of dummy nests, this study quantified (i) the spatial and temporal distribution of cattle in relation to the distribution of redshank nesting habitats and (ii) trampling rates of dummy nests. The distribution of livestock was highly variable depending on both time in the season and the saltmarsh under study, with cattle using between 3% and 42% of the saltmarsh extent and spending most their time on higher elevation habitat within 500 m of the sea wall, but moving further onto the saltmarsh as the season progressed. Breeding redshank also nest on these higher elevation zones, and this breeding coincides with the early period of grazing. Probability of nest trampling was correlated to livestock density and was up to six times higher in the areas where redshank breed. This overlap in both space and time of the habitat use of cattle and redshank means that the trampling probability of a nest can be much higher than would be expected based on standard measures of cattle density. Synthesis and applications: Because saltmarsh grazing is required to maintain a favorable vegetation structure for redshank breeding, grazing management should aim to keep livestock away from redshank nesting habitat between mid‐April and mid‐July when nests are active, through delaying the onset of grazing or introducing a rotational grazing system.

Assessing the impact of mowing on Common Redshanks Tringa totanus breeding on saltmarshes: lessons for conservation management

SummaryInformed application of habitat management measures is crucial, especially in saltmarshes that function as last refuges for breeding waders in Europe. Despite a reduction in agricultural use of saltmarshes since the establishment of the Wadden Sea National Parks at the end of the 1980s, there remains controversy regarding management measures such as the timing of mowing. We modelled the proportion of nests and chicks that would be jeopardised by mowing at different dates, using long-term breeding data of the Common Redshank Tringa totanus – an endangered and widespread indicator species of saltmarshes – from four study sites in the German Wadden Sea. At two study sites in the western Jadebusen, the proportion of broods that were at risk of being killed when mowing began on 1 July ranged between 78% in early, to 96% in late, breeding years, averaging 87%. Although Common Redshanks in the eastern Jadebusen started breeding one week earlier, the model still predicted a loss of 73% of chicks; while 97% of broods were at risk on the island of Wangerooge. Postponement of mowing to 1 August reduced these proportions to 21%, 11% and 32%, respectively. This study is the first to model the positive effects of delayed mowing of saltmarshes on ground-nesting birds. By implementing adjusted mowing dates in addition to previously suggested reductions in artificial drainage, direct and indirect adverse effects caused by mowing and drainage, such as an increased predation risk, are likely to be reduced, such that a ’favourable conservation status’ according to the EC Habitats Directive may be achieved.

Light grazing of saltmarshes increases the availability of nest sites for Common Redshank Tringa totanus, but reduces their quality

The breeding population of Common Redshank Tringa totanus on British saltmarshes has reduced by >50% since 1985, with declines linked to changes in grazing management. Conservation initiatives have encouraged low-intensity grazing of 0.5 cattle ha−1y−1 but even light grazing can lead to high rates of nest mortality. To avoid predators, Redshank nest in patches of tall vegetation, but the effects of grazing on the availability and quality of habitat selected by Redshank remain unclear. We investigated Redshank nest site selection in relation to cattle grazing and asked (a) which nest vegetation conditions do Redshank select and (b) does grazing limit the availability of higher quality nest sites? We characterised vegetation height and composition at nests and control locations on six saltmarshes grazed between 0 and 0.55 cattle ha−1y−1, which falls within or near the UK Environment Agency definition of light grazing. Redshank selected nest locations in the tallest vegetation available (26±13cm with no grazing), but grazing limited the availability of such tall vegetation (11±7cm at 0.55 cattle ha−1y−1). However, Redshank also selected nest locations dominated by the grass Festuca rubra, which increased with higher livestock densities. By causing Redshank to nest in shorter vegetation, but with more of their preferred grass species, grazing presented a trade-off for Redshank. As previous work has shown that nesting in shorter vegetation results in higher nest predation rates, results of this study suggest that even light conservation grazing can result in Redshank nesting in lower quality habitat. Reducing saltmarsh grazing levels below 0.55 cattle ha−1y−1 may therefore increase Redshank populations by maintaining a vegetation structure with patches of F. rubra but with longer sward heights for nesting.

Bird communities at two marshes in Øvre Forra, today and 40 years ago

In the protected area Ovre Forra in Central Norway, birds were surveyed at two marshes in two succeeding years at the beginning of the 1970s. By following the same survey procedure 40 years later in these unchanged marsh habitats, I sought changes in the breeding bird community. While the total number of waders seems to have been quite stable, the abundance of some of the involved species might have changed during this period of time. Due to low numbers, and annual variations, the implications for some of the involved species have to be taken cautiously. The most abundant species in Ovre Forra is now the Common Redshank Tringa totanus . This species has outnumbered the earlier most abundant species in this bird community, the Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis . The numbers of the Meadow Pipit, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus , European Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria and Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos all tend to be lower than for 40 years ago. The Common Gull Larus canus and two Tringa species, the Common Redshank T. totanus and Common Greenshank T. nebularia , seem to have increased in numbers, while the situation for the Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago and the Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus appears to be stable. The Ruff Calidris pugnax used to be a characteristic species on the Ovre Forra’s bogs in the 1970s, but has since vanished. Altogether, the study shows an apparently quite stable avifauna over the time span of 40 years in this environmentally stable reserve.

The influence of landscape features on nest predation rates of grassland‐breeding waders

In Europe, lowland wet grasslands have become increasingly fragmented, and populations of waders in these fragments are subject to unsustainably high levels of nest predation. Patches of taller vegetation in these landscapes can support small mammals, which are the main source of prey for many predators. Providing such patches of habitat could potentially reduce levels of nest predation if predators preferentially target small mammals. However, predator attraction to patches of taller vegetation for foraging, shelter, perching and/or nesting could also result in local increases in predation rates, as a consequence of increased predator densities or spill‐over foraging into the surrounding area. Here we assess the influence of taller vegetation on wader nest predation rates, and the feasibility of managing vegetation structure to alter predator impacts. Between 2005 and 2011, the nest distribution and hatching success of Northern Lapwings Vanellus vanellus, which nest in the open, and Common Redshanks Tringa totanus, which conceal their nests in vegetation, were measured on a 487‐ha area of wet grassland in eastern England that is primarily managed for breeding waders. Predation rates of Lapwing nests increased significantly with distance from patches of taller vegetation, and decreased with increasing area of taller vegetation within 1 km of the nest, whereas neither variable influenced Redshank nest predation probability. These findings suggest that the distribution and activity of nest predators in lowland wet grassland landscapes may be influenced by the presence and distribution of areas of taller vegetation. For Lapwings at least, there may therefore be scope for landscape‐scale management of vegetation structure to influence levels of predation in these habitats.

Light grazing of saltmarshes is a direct and indirect cause of nest failure in Common Redshank Tringa totanus

The Common Redshank Tringa totanus breeding population on British saltmarshes has declined by over 50% since 1985, with declines linked to changes in grazing management. Conservation initiatives have encouraged low‐intensity grazing of less than one cattle per hectare, but Redshank have continued to decline, even in regions where light grazing was predominant. This study quantified effects of grazing intensity on Redshank nest survival over six lightly grazed saltmarshes with livestock densities between 0 and 0.82 cattle per hectare, in the Ribble Estuary, northwest England. We assessed whether grazing resulted in nest mortality directly through cattle trampling and/or indirectly through grazer modification of habitat that accelerates predation risks. Cattle density was recorded both during the Redshank breeding season and for 1 year prior to the study, to account for both short‐term trampling effects and the longer term effects on vegetation. Results showed that risk of nest loss to trampling increased from 16% at 0.15 cattle per hectare to 98% at 0.82 cattle per hectare in the breeding season. The risk of a nest being predated increased from 28% with no grazing to 95% at 0.55 cattle per hectare based on all year grazing data. These results suggest that even light conservation grazing at less than one cattle per hectare can reduce Redshank nest survival rates to near zero. It may therefore be appropriate to reduce saltmarsh grazing intensities, or change the timing of saltmarsh grazing to reduce the number of livestock present during the Redshank breeding season.

Synergies between site protection and agri‐environment schemes for the conservation of waders on lowland wet grasslands

Two conservation strategies have been put in place in Europe to address precipitous population declines of wading birds that breed on lowland wet grasslands. These are site protection and agri‐environment schemes (AESs) and the two are rarely compared, or their synergy assessed. Increasingly, efforts to recover populations of previously widespread species follow a landscape‐scale approach whereby habitat improvement takes place at key sites through partially overlapping protected area management and AESs. To investigate whether site protection and AESs improve the conservation status of breeding waders and how these interact, we partially repeated a 2002 survey of breeding waders on protected areas (nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest) and sites with wader‐specific AES options in England in 2009 and 2010. We then assessed the individual and combined effects of these delivery mechanisms on field occupancy, breeding density and population change of four species of declining wader (Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Eurasian Curlew Arquata numenius and Common Redshank Tringa totanus). Although results for Curlew differed from the other species, in general field occupancy was positively influenced by conservation delivery mechanisms, with the highest occupancy and breeding densities on land where site protection was combined with wader‐specific AES options. Field occupancy varied between different types of AES, with higher occupancy associated with higher‐level options in fields, particularly those on nature reserves. Outside nature reserves, the history of AES management did not influence wader populations, but within nature reserves and on fields that gained AES management between 2002 and 2009–2010, populations of Curlew and Snipe were more likely to have persisted and population change in Snipe and Lapwing was more positive. We conclude that the conservation of breeding waders will be most effective when site protection and AES management are combined on the same land. Using limited AES money to support management for breeding waders on, around and between the existing network of protected sites will protect remaining populations while presenting opportunities for population expansion in future.

Spatial Diversity in Canopy Height at Redshank and Oystercatcher Nest-Sites in Relation to Livestock Grazing

In this study we examined the effect of different livestock grazing treatments on breeding bird densities in a salt marsh habitat. To avoid an experiment on the large scale needed to directly measure grazing effects on bird densities, we followed a two-step approach. First, we measured vegetation micro-patterns (mosaic of lower vegetation and taller patches at 4×4 m) around Common Redshank Tringa totanus and Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus nests and at random sites paired with these nests sites to judge suitability of micro-patterns for nest building. Secondly, we measured micro-patterns at 120 permanent plots in five different experimental grazing treatments to determine how grazing affects micro-patterns. We compared low stocking density of both cattle and of horses, high stocking density of cattle and of horses, and intermittent grazing with a high stocking density of cattle (i.e. yearly intervals of grazing and no grazing). Redshank and Oystercatcher nests occurred in sites with taller vegetation and more pronounced micro-patterns than found at random sites. Paddocks grazed with low densities of livestock or with a high density intermittent grazing treatment had micro-patterns preferred by the birds. We conclude that Redshanks and Oystercatchers may benefit in terms of potential nest sites from grazing at low livestock densities or at intermittent stocking densities through effects of grazing on micro-patterns in the vegetation.