Changes in the numbers of breeding waders on lowland wet grasslands in England and Wales between 1982 and 2002

Habitat use and diet of Common SnipeGallinago gallinagobreeding on moorland in northern England

“…The densities of Snipe recorded in this study were comparable to those in the best lowland habitats in England and Wales (mean 0.38 pair/km 2 ; Wilson et al 2005) and moorland clearly constitutes an important habitat for the British Snipe population because it is far more extensive than the remaining suitable lowland habitats. The availability of suitable feeding areas on moorland appears to be an important determinant of breeding density, with only low densities likely to occur in extensive areas of dry heath, but relatively high densities likely in areas with a mosaic of habitats including significant patches of marshy grassland and acid flush.…”

“…On lowland wet grassland in England and Wales, the species has undergone a 62% decline during 1982(Wilson et al 2005. In the lowlands, presence of Snipe is closely associated with marshy ground and breeding success is influenced by the time during April-August for which the soil remains moist enough for birds to probe for earthworms and tipulid larvae (Green 1988).…”

“…This has involved the conversion of wet grassland to arable land or, where grass remains, increased drainage and higher rates of livestock grazing (Marchant et al 1990, Gibbons et al 1993, Green & Robins 1993. Breeding Snipe are now very patchily distributed in the lowlands of England and Wales, where they are confined to the remaining wet pastures, coastal grazing marshes and fens, many of which are managed for nature conservation and may support relatively high densities (Gibbons et al 1993, Wilson et al 2005.…”

Population changes of breeding waders on farmland in relation to agri-environment management

“…Intensification of agricultural grassland management through drainage, re-seeding and changes in the intensity and timing of grazing have all played their part in driving the declines by limiting nesting opportunities and reducing invertebrate food availability (Wilson et al 2007). On arable land, Lapwings and Stone-curlews have suffered from the replacement of sparsely vegetated spring-sown crops and fallows, in which they are able to nest, by autumn-sown crops whose vegetation cover is too tall and dense for nesting (Green & Griffiths 1994, Sheldon et al 2004, Wilson et al 2005. In lowland England, where agricultural intensification has been most rapid and severe, formerly widespread species including Lapwings, Snipe, Curlews and Redshanks are rapidly becoming restricted to areas managed as nature reserves or land managed under the highest 'tiers' of agri-environment schemes (Ausden & Hirons 2002, 2007.…”

Diet of StarlingSturnus vulgarisnestlings on farmland: the importance of Tipulidae larvae

“…waders such as Snipe Gallinago gallinago (Smart et al 2008) and Lapwing Vanellus vanellus (Wilson et al 2005); corvids such as Chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (McCracken et al 1992) and passerines such as Song Thrush Turdus philomelos (Peach et al 2004 a,b)). Therefore, informed management of their preferred habitats is crucial to successful land management targeting these species.…”