The aim of this protocol is to establish a baseline, and implement ongoing monitoring of areas of rush pasture, suitable for breeding waders. Habitat suitability is assessed through structural attributes such as sward heights and density, soil moisture and bare ground.
This protocol is designed to establish the number of Lapwing and Snipe males holding territory during the breeding season at our Nature Reserves. This will enable SRWT to make an educated assumption of breeding pairs of at the reserve.
We carry out breeding wader surveys for three sites: Hammond's Field, Woodhouse Washlands and Kilnhurst Ings.
This survey is carried out using standard methods derived from the BTOs Common Bird Census (CBC).