The Decline of Waders in the Berwyn SPA: What Can We Learn?

This blog post examines the decline of breeding waders within the Berwyn Special Protection Area (SPA) in North Wales, exploring the potential reasons behind it and, most importantly, what lessons we can learn for the future of our precious upland birds.

Based on this comprehensive report, we'll look at the changes that have occurred since driven grouse shooting ended at Berwyn in the late 1990s and what they might tell us about managing these fragile environments.

A Silent Moor? The Dramatic Decline of Waders
The End of Driven Grouse Moor Management
The Rise of Generalist Predators
Habitat Changes
A Wider Trend: Upland Waders in Crisis
Lessons Learned and a Path Forward
Securing the Future of Upland Waders
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A Silent Moor? The Dramatic Decline of Waders

The Berwyn SPA was designated in 1998, recognizing its importance for a variety of upland breeding birds, including significant proportions of Welsh wader populations. However, a repeat survey conducted in 2002 compared to data from 1983-85 paints a stark picture of decline:

Lapwing: Once present in the survey areas, they were completely absent in the 2002 survey
Golden Plover: Numbers plummeted by 90%.
Curlew: This iconic wader suffered a dramatic 79% decline
Snipe: While still present, their numbers decreased by 44%.

Overall, the abundance of all breeding waders combined in the Berwyn SPA survey areas declined by a staggering 80% between 1983-85 and 2002. This represents a significant loss from an area specifically designated for its ecological importance.

Understanding why these declines have occurred is crucial for formulating effective conservation strategies. The report suggests several potential contributing factors.

The End of Driven Grouse Moor Management

One significant change in the Berwyn landscape has been the decline and eventual cessation of driven grouse moor management by the late 1990s. Historically, grouse moors in the UK involved practices like heather burning and predator control to create suitable conditions for red grouse.

The report suggests a potential link between the cessation of these management practices and the decline of waders. It highlights that managed grouse moors elsewhere in the UK support significantly higher densities of breeding waders like golden plover, curlew, redshank, and lapwing – sometimes up to five-fold greater than unmanaged moorland.

The Rise of Generalist Predators

Coinciding with the decline in grouse moor management, the Berwyn experienced a substantial increase in the populations of generalist predators. Between 1983-85 and 2002:

Carrion crow numbers increased six-fold.
Raven numbers increased four-fold.

The report posits that this increase in predator numbers could have negatively impacted ground-nesting birds like breeding waders, which are particularly vulnerable to predation of their eggs and chicks.

Habitat Changes

Subtle but significant changes in habitat within the Berwyn SPA may have also contributed to the wader decline. The report notes that reductions in sheep grazing (intended to restore blanket bog) and the cessation of heather burning could have made the area less attractive to breeding waders who often prefer shorter vegetation for nesting and foraging.

Furthermore, the maturation of commercial forest stands has likely reduced the availability of open moorland habitat for waders while potentially providing cover for generalist predators.

The shift in the most abundant bird species in the Berwyn between the surveys further supports the idea of habitat change. In 1983-85, moorland specialists like curlew and red grouse were prominent in the top ten, but by 2002, species favouring scrubbier habitats, such as willow warbler and wren, had risen in the ranks.

A Wider Trend: Upland Waders in Crisis

It's important to note that the decline of breeding waders isn't isolated to the Berwyn SPA. The report mentions that breeding waders are declining throughout the British uplands, attributed to a combination of factors including commercial afforestation, drainage, increased predation, changes in grazing patterns, and the decline in grouse moor management.

The rates of decline observed in the Berwyn are therefore of significant conservation concern. Experts suggest that without urgent conservation management, species like lapwing, golden plover, and curlew could be lost from the Welsh uplands altogether in the coming decades.

Lessons Learned and a Path Forward

The findings from the Berwyn SPA offer valuable lessons for the conservation of upland waders and the management of these complex ecosystems.

Key takeaways include:

The positive role of grouse moor management for waders: In areas where it is appropriately implemented, practices like predator control and heather burning can create habitats that benefit not only grouse but also several species of breeding waders.
The impact of predator increases: The significant rise in generalist predator populations following changes in land management highlights the delicate balance within these ecosystems and the potential consequences for vulnerable prey species.
The importance of integrated habitat management: Managing vegetation structure through grazing and burning regimes is crucial for maintaining suitable nesting and foraging grounds for waders.
The need for urgent conservation action: The rapid declines observed underscore the urgency of implementing effective conservation measures to prevent the local extinction of these iconic birds.

The report specifically recommends that predator control should be incorporated as a general tool within agri-environment schemes in the Berwyn SPA, particularly in areas where habitat enhancements through heather burning and appropriate grazing are being practiced. This integrated approach, addressing both habitat needs and predation pressure, is deemed essential for restoring breeding wader populations.

Securing the Future of Upland Waders

The story of the declining waders in the Berwyn SPA is a sobering one, but it also presents an opportunity to learn and act. By understanding the complex interplay of land management practices, predator dynamics, and habitat changes, we can develop more effective strategies for the conservation of these cherished birds.

What can be done?

Support research and monitoring efforts: Continued monitoring of wader populations and their habitats is crucial for tracking trends and evaluating the effectiveness of conservation interventions.
Promote integrated land management approaches: Encourage land management practices that consider the needs of a diverse range of upland bird species, including both habitat management and targeted predator control where appropriate.
Engage with stakeholders: Foster collaboration between landowners, land managers, conservation organisations, and the rural community to develop and implement effective conservation strategies.
Raise awareness: Educate the public about the plight of upland waders and the importance of their conservation.

The evocative calls of lapwing, golden plover, and curlew should remain a vital part of our upland heritage. By learning from the experiences in the Berwyn SPA, we can work towards ensuring that these iconic birds continue to grace our moorlands for generations to come.