WWT Conservation Report 2008 –2009 Weighing a Madagascar Pochard duckling CONTENTS Garth Cripps

FOREWORD...... 5 treatment systems...... 46 The creation of Lady – PARTNERS AND DONORS...... 8 a wet grassland for Wigeon...... 49 Planning for the future – STAFF LIST...... 11 managed realignment feasibility...... 50

SPECIES CONSERVATION...... 13 Enhancing and demonstrating the benefits of ...... 53 Survey, monitoring and setting Clean water for people and wildlife priorities for conservation...... 14 in Laos...... 53 Greylag monitoring...... 15 Managing wetlands for sustainable Bewick’s population declines...... 16 livelihoods at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Aerial surveys of waterbirds Reserve, Nepal...... 54 in UK inshore waters...... 18 Capacity building for natural resource Capacity building for monitoring management in Guyana...... 56 overseas...... 21 Wetlands In My Back Yard (WIMBY)...... 58 of Conservation Concern...... 22 Assessing the benefits of IUCN CONSERVATION ADVOCACY...... 61 guidelines for waterbird Water and energy re-introduction projects...... 24 ...... 62 Sustainability starts at home...... 62 Investigating threats to species...... 26 Stop Climate Chaos...... 63 Use of satellite-tracking technology EU Water Framework Directive and in assessing offshore wind farm River Basin Management Plans...... 65 locations...... 26 Blueprint for Water...... 66 Illegal shooting of Bewick’s and A Wetland Vision for England...... 67 Whooper ...... 28 Wildlife health Lead poisoning in Whooper Swans...... 30 ...... 68 Avian influenza and wider wildlife Action to save species...... 32 health issues: an international The Great Crane Project...... 32 policy approach...... 68 Conservation of the Scaly-sided Wetland Link International Merganser in Far East Russia...... 33 ...... 70 Saving the Madagascar Pochard – PUBLICATIONS...... 71 the world’s most threatened ...... 34 ...... 37 WWT CONSULTING...... 79 Protecting important wetlands...... 38 Saving the Severn...... 38 WWT reserves...... 40 Ten years of bat monitoring at the Wetland Centre...... 42 Triops – the world’s oldest living species discovered at Caerlaverock...... 44

WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 3 FOREWORD

Using the Strengths of the Past to to enhance the wellbeing and livelihoods of those Meet the Challenges of the Future that use or depend upon them. It is the research, advocacy and direct conservation component of our Founded in 1946 by the naturalist and artist, the work that is covered in this report. late Sir , the Wildfowl & Wetlands WWT’s brings people and wildlife together in urban Trust (WWT) saves wetlands for wildlife and and rural situations to engender an empathy with people across the world, and identifies and the natural world through close encounters with acts to counter threats to them. We also enrich wildlife. In many cases, we believe that this results people’s lives through enabling them to learn in a lifelong commitment to the conservation about and be close to nature. Our nine UK visitor of wetlands and their wildlife. The majority of centres have introduced millions of people to our public engagement work takes place at our Tack Piece at WWT Slimbridge the wonders of wetlands and their wildlife. In centres in the UK, although we increasingly use James Lees/WWT total WWT centres cover over 2,600 hectares of our expertise overseas where our consultancy, wetland nature reserves, including eight Areas WWT Consulting, helps others to create wetland or Sites of Special Scientific Interest, six Special centres, and Wetland Link International provides an “We must not let the coming generations Protection Areas and six Ramsar sites. Many of education and public awareness support network. judge us negligent for failing to advance our sites have captive collections as well where the international conservation of natural our visitors and members can experience rare, Our conservation work, some of which is described resources and so bequeathing to them an threatened or simply unusual species up close. in detail in this report, takes place both on and off In addition to work at our centres and on our our nature reserves in the UK, and overseas, often abomination instead of an environment. reserves, we have a wide-ranging programme of in partnership with others. Our work builds upon Conservation in the absence of skilful wetland conservation work across the UK and at the traditional strengths of WWT, in waterbird strategically selected locations overseas. monitoring, conservation science, wetland creation research will result in irretrievable and management and sustainable development. 2009 is the centenary of our founder, and thus a mistakes. Conservation without reference Expertise developed through managing our pertinent time to reflect on the progress made to the realities of social and economic wetland visitor centres is also invaluable for many and future directions that WWT needs to take of our conservation activities. For example, the requirements is a recipe for heartbreak.” to tackle the challenges of the 21st century. Sir captive collections initiated by Sir Peter in 1946 Peter described four conceptual ‘pillars’ as the have helped us to develop the expertise to run or cornerstones of WWT. These were research, advise on conservation breeding and reintroduction conservation, recreation and education, and Prof G.V.T. Matthews, Rapporteur-General programmes for some of the rarest species in the they play as important a role in our work today UK, including the Eurasian Crane, and the most as they did in 1946. Sir Peter was a visionary Ramsar, 30 January 1971 threatened species globally, like the Madagascar conservationist. He was a great advocate of Pochard. scientific method, promoting the use of science to underpin conservation action, but equally he Many leading conservationists today developed recognised conservation as a social and political their passion through visiting WWT centres process, for which success ultimately depends as children, or through volunteering to work upon wide public engagement and support. This with our collections or on our reserves. We dual approach with a common purpose is one of hope that you enjoy reading about our ongoing the things that has always made WWT unique. We conservation work and plans for the future in engage with people to increase their enjoyment this report, and encourage you to contact us or and understanding of wetlands and the natural visit one of our centres to learn more. world, alongside our research, advocacy and direct action to conserve wetlands and their species, and Martin Spray, Chief Executive

4 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 5 Sally Mackenzie/WWT Sally Mackenzie/WWT

Conserving wetlands for wildlife The average economic value of these benefits, The immense value of wetlands and their includes case work to protect wetlands of and people or ‘services’, provided to society across the wildlife, and the huge threats that they face, are national or international importance, such world is large, yet society often takes wetlands what drive WWT’s mission to conserve them and as the Severn , and the creation, Wetlands are extremely diverse . Many for granted. manage the benefits that they bring to people in restoration and management of wetlands. wetlands are highly productive and support far a sustainable way. This involves work on our own reserves in Wetlands are also one of the most threatened more species than would be expected for the the UK, and the wetland restoration, creation ecosystems on the planet. It is estimated that This report contains selected examples of WWT’s surface area that they cover. and management support that we provide more than 50% of inland wetlands have been conservation work undertaken between 2007 to others across the UK and overseas. Our lost across the world since 1900 and wetland and 2009. This is described under the sections Wetlands are also essential habitats that provide wetland conservation work focuses not only loss and degradation is continuing. This is of Species Conservation, Wetland Conservation, society with a wide range of benefits in addition to on biodiversity, but also on investigating, largely through drainage for agriculture or and Conservation Advocacy, although in reality their wildlife value. For instance, they, enhancing and demonstrating the many other urbanisation, unsustainable water extraction, many projects cut across these divides. benefits that wetlands bring to people. • provide resources to meet human needs overexploitation of resources and the impacts of Our species work encompasses all stages such as food, fibre and fuel invasive species and pollution. Finally, our conservation advocacy tackles from survey, monitoring and priority setting to two of the most important threats to wetlands • control erosion, flooding and the quantity and Today, wetlands are increasingly threatened developing action plans for threatened species, and their wildlife, those of the unsustainable quality of water available to human societies by climate change, both directly, for example investigating causes of poor conservation status management of water and energy, along with through changes in hydrology, and indirectly, for through our research programmes, and taking • support vital processes such as soil formation an area where WWT has globally recognised example through changes in land use and water practical conservation action to reverse species expertise, that of wildlife health. • provide spiritual, recreational, aesthetic and consumption resulting from climate change. declines. educational opportunities Please visit our website www.wwt.org.uk for The wildlife that wetlands support is also under While we focus on wildfowl and other wetland details of the many conservation projects not • play a crucial role in both mitigating climate threat. Of inland wetland-dependent species, birds, we also work on mammals, invertebrates included in this report. change (by regulating greenhouse gasses over 30% of amphibians, freshwater reptiles and other wetland species. Our conservation like carbon dioxide, and storing carbon) and and mammals, and 15% of birds are globally research and action is targeted at species helping adapt to its effects (e.g. by buffering threatened with extinction. that are a priority in the UK, or are threatened Dr. Debbie Pain, Director of Conservation the impacts of climate change, such as globally. Our wetland conservation work flooding).

6 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 7 Common Blue Damselfly © Luc Viatour PARTNERS AND DONORS

We are very grateful to our many partners and donors, without whom our vital conservation work would not be possible. Key partners and donors associated with projects in this report are either mentioned in, or at the end of, individual project accounts.

EU ASIA PRO Eco II IUCN-SSC/ Goose African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement Renewable Energy Ltd. European Union FP6 project New Flubird Specialist Group AFRING Chinese State Forestry Administration (SSP/8.1 no 044490) IUCN-SSC / Wetlands International Swan Allerdale Borough Council Collaborative Offshore Wind Research Into The Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group Specialist Group All-Russian Research Institute for Nature Environment (COWRIE) Faroese Ornithological Society Iwokrama International Centre, Guyana Protection Convention on Migratory Species Food and Environment Research Agency Joint Nature Conservation Committee Animal Health Countryside Council for Wales Foothold Keep Wales Tidy Atlantic Salmon Trust Crown Estate Forestry Bureau – Taiwan Government Koshi Camp Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity Danish Institute for Food and Veterinary French Agricultural Research Centre for Leningrad State Committee on Nature in Kazakhstan (ACBK) Research International Development (CIRAD) Protection Balmain Charitable Trust Department of Agriculture & Rural Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut Llanelli Naturalists Development, Banrock London Bat Group Department of Business Enterprise and Bat Conservation Trust Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Government of Madagascar Regulatory Reform BBC Natural History Unit Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust Christian Trust Department of Energy and Climate Change BBC Wildlife Fund Greenland White-fronted Goose Study Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe & Department of National Parks and Wildlife Action Group Health Protection Agency Conservation, Nepal National Environmental Research Institute, Conservation Nepal Highland Ringing Group Department of Science and Technology, BirdLife Iceland Denmark Vientiane Capital (STEO) HSBC National Parks and Wildlife Service BirdLife International Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust Department for Energy, Food and Rural Affairs (Department of Environment, Heritage BirdWatch Ireland Dienst Landelijk Gebied (DLG) Icelandic Institute of Natural History and Local Government, Eire) Blueprint for Water Coalition Dong Energy Ltd. Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling National Trust British Airways Communities & Conservation Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, Institute for Research in Environmental National Trust for Scotland British Association for Shooting and Sustainability, Newcastle University University of Kent National Veterinary Institute, Norway Conservation Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust National Veterinary Research Institute, Poland British High Commission in Guyana Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM) Dutch Institute for Ecology (NIOO) Natural England British Trust for Conservation Volunteers Instituto Terra Brasilis East Dongting Hu National Nature Reserve, Nenetskiy State Nature Reserve, Russia British Trust for Ornithology China International Crane Foundation Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds Ecology Consulting Ltd. Irish Brent Goose Research Group North Rupununi District Development Board, CAB International Irish Study Group Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Guyana Cambrian Archaeology Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Edinburgh Natural History Society Northern Ireland Environment Agency Carmarthenshire County Council Venezie Environment Agency Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity IUCN-SSC/Wetlands International Duck Environmental Protection Agency, Guyana Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Conservation (ICMBio, formerly IBAMA) Specialist Group Erasmus MC Renewables Ltd. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology IUCN-SSC/Wetlands International Flamingo Specialist Group Oak Lodge Foundation

8 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 9 STAFF LIST

Oiseaux Migrateurs du Paléarctique Occidental UN Food and Agriculture Organisation CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES Andrew Jowett, Colin Butters, Sophie Conway, (OMPO) University College Cork DIRECTORATE Alisa Hurst, Dave Walsh, Estelle Walsh Onyx University of Aberdeen STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, STUDENTS AND Bewick’s Swan MSc Student (Leeds University) Elizabeth Morgan Oregon State University University of Bath RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Pensthorpe Conservation Trust University of Bristol Director of Conservation Dr Deborah Pain Wildlife Health Unit Head of Wildlife Health Dr Ruth Cromie Peregrine Fund University of Cambridge ADMINISTRATION Senior Species Conservation Officer Rebecca Lee Peter Scott Trust for Education and Research University of Dundee Office Manager Jane Gawthorne in Conservation (PSTERIC) Veterinary & Wildlife Health Senior Research University of Exeter, Centre for Ecology Senior Administrator Caroline Grant Officer Michelle O’Brien on Wetlands & Conservation Administration Assistant Maggie Sage Wildlife Health Research Officer Julia Newth Ravenair University of Exeter, School of Geography IT Wildlife Health Research Assistant Louise Hurst Restore UK University of Glasgow IT Manager: Conservation Programmes Wildlife Health Research Assistant Pippa Hardman Romanian Ornithological Society (SOR) University of Guyana Robin Jones WETLAND CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Royal Geographical Society University of Leeds SPECIES CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Head of Department Rob Shore Royal Holloway, University of London University of Oxford Head of Department Dr Baz Hughes Royal Society for the Protection of Birds University of Reading Wetlands for People Unit Royal Veterinary College University of Science and Technology of China, Species Planning Unit Head of Wetlands for People Dr Seb Buckton Head of Species Planning Peter Cranswick Salmon and Trout Association Heifi, China Reserves Management Unit Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund US Fish & Wildlife Service Critically Endangered Species Monitoring Unit Head of Reserves Management Emma Hutchins Conservation Fund Scottish Environment Protection Agency Head of Species Monitoring Richard Hearn BSc placement student (Coventry University) Scottish Government Veterinary Laboratories Agency Species Monitoring Principal Research Officer Nicholas Donkin Scottish Natural Heritage Veterinary Medicines Directorate Carl Mitchell Reserves Management Volunteer Crystal Acquaviva Viridor Credits Environmental Company Species Monitoring Officer Colette Hall Scottish Ornithologists Club Wetland Functions Unit Vogelbescherming Nederland Species Monitoring Assistant Jacqueline Reed Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Head of Wetland Functions Dr Sally Mackenzie Species Monitoring Assistant (Maternity Cover) Beauty Sustainable Development Fund Welsh Assembly Treatment Wetlands MSc Student Dora Querido SITA Trust Welsh Water (Glasgow University) Andrew Buxton Species Monitoring Volunteer Maurice Durham Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat Wetlands International Treatment Wetlands PhD Student Species Monitoring and Swan Volunteer (Leeds University) Santiago Clerci Stop Climate Chaos Wetland Vision Partnership Kane Brides Swansea University Wildlife and Countryside Link CONSERVATION POLICY Species Research Unit The Open University Wildlife Information Network Head of Conservation Policy Carrie Hume Head of Species Research Dr Geoff Hilton The Wildlife Trusts Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) Conservation Policy Volunteer Peter Shaw Senior Species Research Officer Dr Larry Griffin Tribhuvan University WWF-China Brent Goose Project Officer Dr Kendrew Colhoun WETLAND LINK INTERNATIONAL Uist Greylag Goose Management Committee WWF-Germany Brent Goose PhD Student (University of Exeter) Head of Wetland Link International UK Government’s Darwin Initiative WWF-UK Xavier Harrison Christopher Rostron Umea University Wye and Usk Foundation BTCV Freshwater Invertebrate Apprentice Hannah Robson WWT RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Species Conservation (Flamingo Specialist Group) UK Waterbird Conservation Unit Dr Brooks Childress Head of UK Waterbird Conservation Dr Eileen Rees Ecosystem Services Dr Mark Everard Swan Volunteers Steve Heaven, Alison Bloor, Species Research Dr Ruth Feber

10 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 11 SPECIES CONSERVATION

Critically Endangered Madagascar Pochard ducklings Garth Cripps

12 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 13 Survey, monitoring and setting Greylag Goose monitoring priorities for conservation

A survey of Greylag Geese in Scotland In 2008 and 2009, the first national summering conducted in the summers of 2008 and 2009 census of Greylag Geese in Scotland was conducted. found in excess of 40,000 birds, with a notable Fieldwork spanned two years (2008 and 2009) and increase on Orkney. A separate project early results indicate a summering population in suggests that populations will increase in size excess of 40,000 birds, with a notable increase on over 25 years (2007 – 2032) from 3,694 to 7,300 Orkney. A separate project modelled population geese on Tiree/Coll and from 6,440 to 15,700 parameters of breeding Greylag Geese in north on the Uists. However, for both populations and west Scotland. Projection of the populations shooting intensity has increased in recent years using these models suggests that, if culling levels, and continuation of shooting at this level is likely productivity and survival remain as recorded during to cause both populations to decline over 25 years. the periods of data collection, the populations will Greylag Geese increase in size at mean rates of 2% p.a. on Tiree/ The Greylag Goose Anser anser is Britain’s only James Lees/WWT Coll and 3.8% p.a. on the Uists (Trinder et al. 2009). native breeding goose. Until the 19th century, This equates to median increases in population its range included large parts of Britain as far size over 25 years (2007 – 2032) from 3,694 to 7,300 south as and the . During the geese on Tiree/Coll and from 6,440 to 15,700 on 19th century, much of the species’ favoured the Uists. However, for both populations shooting was lost – the reed- and fens intensity has been higher in recent years and being claimed for agriculture. Together with continuation of shooting at this level is likely to cause extensive persecution, the population was almost both populations to decline over 25 years. These eliminated as a breeding species. However, a WWT coordinates, conducts and develops species of which 12 occur in internationally models thus provide valuable monitoring tools for small group remained on the Outer Hebrides specialised waterbird monitoring in the UK. We important numbers, including nine that occur the continued sustainable management of these (known, subsequently, as the ‘native’ population) also use our expertise to support and enhance almost nowhere else (apart from the Republic important goose populations. existing broader schemes and initiatives in the of Ireland) during the non-breeding season. and probably in very small numbers on the north UK, such as the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS1). The UK thus has a special responsibility for and west coasts of Scotland. References Our key areas of current activity include the these predominantly Arctic and sub-Arctic Trinder, M., Mitchell, C. & Bowler, J. 2009. An assessment By the early 20th century, the species was integrated monitoring of goose and swan breeding migrants. of the status of the native Greylag Goose (Anser anser) restricted to north and west Scotland. During populations (the WWT/JNCC Goose & Swan population in Scotland and an analysis of future trends Most of these populations have a secure the last 30-40 years, and partly as result of based on population modelling. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Monitoring Programme; GSMP) and the conservation status and many are increasing conservation measures, this population has report to Scottish Natural Heritage. Slimbridge, UK. 30pp. monitoring of non-breeding waterbirds in the in number. However, there are some notable increased in number and range. The birds are Key Contact: Carl Mitchell, [email protected] marine environment. generally rather sedentary and it is possible exceptions, principally the Greenland White- Funders: Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Scottish Through the GSMP, we monitor key demographic fronted Goose Anser albifrons flavirostris and that all the birds found to the west of the Great Natural Heritage. parameters (abundance and breeding success) Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii. Glen are part of the native population. Additional Partners: Bean Goose Action Group, BirdWatch and distribution for all native goose and swan The most recent monitoring activities are As a result of this population increase, farmers and Ireland, Faroese Ornithological Society, Goose Specialist populations in the UK2. We also coordinate flyway reported on the WWT website (www.wwt.org. Group, Greenland White-fronted Goose Study, Icelandic crofters have become increasingly concerned about scale monitoring for many of these populations. uk), and summarised in an annual newsletter, Institute of Natural History, Irish Brent Goose Research damage to agricultural interests. Furthermore, In all, the UK supports 15 goose and swan GooseNews. Our monitoring also directly informs Group, Irish Whooper Swan Study Group, IUCN-SSC / goose grazing on some agricultural land may be Wetlands International Swan Specialist Group, National priority-setting exercises, such as the Birds of sufficiently serious to restrict the extent of some Parks and Wildlife Service (Department of Environment, Conservation Concern assessment described in crop types that are valued for other biodiversity Heritage and Local Government, Eire), Northern Ireland 1 WeBS is the monitoring scheme for non-breeding waterbirds this report. Environment Agency, Norwegian Institute for Nature interests. It is important that any management in the UK, and is a partnership between the British Trust for Research, Scottish Ornithologists Club, Uist Greylag Ornithology, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the We are committed to transferring our monitoring measures that might be adopted are based on a Goose Management Committee. Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of the Countryside full understanding of the size and distribution of the Council for Wales, Natural England, Scottish Natural Heritage, and expertise overseas, particularly to areas of high Weblink: www.wwt.org.uk/research/monitoring the Northern Ireland Environment Agency), in association with WWT. and often threatened wetland biodiversity where population, as well as likely trends. 2 Except Cygnus olor. monitoring capacity is lacking.

14 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 15 Bewick’s Swan population declines 250

GB Index GB Trend 200

150

Counts and trend indices of the North West Counts made in Britain and Ireland for the 100 Figure 1. Annual indices and trends for Bewick’s

European Bewick’s Swan population show that international Bewick’s Swan census in January (2006/07 = 100) Index Swans wintering in Great numbers increased from the 1960s to the mid 2005 found a ca. 5% decrease in comparison 50 Britain (from Austin et 1990s, but there is increasing evidence that the with the January 2000 census, with the drop al. 2008). population is now in decline. in numbers being most evident in Ireland 0

and western parts of Britain. Pending formal 66/67 68/69 70/71 72/73 74/75 76/77 78/79 80/81 82/83 84/85 86/87 88/89 90/91 92/93 94/95 96/97 98/99 00/01 02/03 04/05 06/07 WWT has been actively involved in Bewick’s publication of the international census data, Winter Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii monitoring, provisional analyses suggest that the population research and conservation since 1963/64. A is undergoing both a shift in winter distribution key tool for assessing the swans’ conservation (with fewer swans reaching western sites in status is the annual assessment of population recent milder winters), and a population decline. trends and distribution. Trends in the numbers The former is evident in a drop in the proportion of Bewick’s Swans wintering in the UK are of new individuals reaching western sites such as monitored annually as part of the Wetland New adults/yearlings Adults/yearlings seen previously Cygnets WWT Slimbridge in recent years (mean = 47–48% 800 Bird Survey (WeBS), with mid-monthly counts new birds identified per annum in the 1970s– 700 at key sites from October–March. The mid- 1990s; 42% in the 2000s; Figure 2); the latter in 600 January counts are included in the International Figure 2. Number of several exceptionally poor breeding years (<8% 500 Bewick’s Swans (adults Waterbird Census (IWC), coordinated by and yearlings) recorded cygnets) from the mid 1990s onwards. 400 Wetlands International, which determines at Slimbridge that had trends for the whole population. Results from a Bewick’s Swan Action Planning No. of Birds 300 been seen at the site workshop held in September 2009 are helping 200 in previous years. The Since the mid-1980s, IWC counts have number of cygnets shape the research and conservation work 100 been augmented by 5-yearly coordinated (all new to the site) is required to identify limiting factors and improve 0 international censuses to determine the total 63/64 65/66 67/68 69/70 71/72 73/74 75/76 77/78 79/80 81/82 83/84 85/86 87/88 89/90 91/92 93/94 95/96 97/98 99/00 01/02 03/04 05/06 07/08 included to illustrate the species’ conservation status. annual variation in population size and verify the data trends. Winter breeding success. Additionally, re-sightings of colour-ringed References swans caught at Slimbridge since 1967, in the Austin, G.E., Collier, M.P., Calbrade, N.A., Hall, C. & Netherlands since 1985 (with neck-collars Musgrove, A.J. 2008. Waterbirds in the UK 2006/07: The Wetland Bird Survey. BTO/WWT/RSPB/JNCC. Thetford, UK. being fitted from 1990 onwards) and in the Bewick’s Swans Key Contact: Dr. Eileen Rees, eileen.rees wwt.org.uk Russian arctic since 1991 make it possible @ J S Lees/WWT to investigate the reasons for changes in site Funders: Peter Scott Trust for Education and Research in selection, variation in breeding success and Conservation (PSTERIC); British Airways Communities & also to determine survival rates for different Conservation; WWT Swan Adoption Scheme. sections of the population. Additional Partners: All-Russian Research Institute for Nature Protection, Dutch Institute for Ecology (NIOO), There have been substantial changes in the NW Nenetskiy State Nature Reserve. European Bewick’s Swan population. Numbers increased from 9,000-10,000 birds in the mid Links to Additional Information: wwtonlinebookshop.org. uk/BookItem.aspx?item=9780713665598 1970s to a peak of c. 29,000 in 1995, but recent www.wwt.org.uk/research/monitoring/species/bewick_status.asp trend indices for the UK (Figure 1) and the Netherlands indicate that the population is currently declining.

16 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 17 Aerial surveys of waterbirds in UK inshore waters

Over the last decade, WWT and its consultancy coverage of large areas. Aerial survey data Figure 3. Relative density have pioneered the use of aerial surveys in the are particularly important with respect to of Manx Shearwaters UK to monitor waterbirds and seabirds at sea. the placement of offshore wind farms, and recorded in West Wales during aerial surveys These have provided the first comprehensive and survey coverage has increased markedly since (summer 2008) in relation accurate ornithological assessment of UK inshore 2000, incorporating the whole of the English to Special Protection waters. They have also identified important areas and Welsh coastlines, plus parts of Scotland Area (SPA) locations. for designation as marine Special Protection and Northern Ireland, to at least 25 km from Areas (SPAs), ensured the appropriate siting of shore. Extensive surveys of potential windfarm offshore wind farms and resulted in several major locations have been undertaken annually by ornithological discoveries. WWT Consulting since 2004/2005.

Despite a long history of waterbird monitoring in The use of distance sampling has enabled the UK, and boat-based monitoring of seabirds robust estimates of numbers to be calculated. in offshore areas, inshore waters have received Surveys found that: little attention. Regular inshore aerial surveys • Liverpool Bay (from Anglesey to Morecambe were initially instigated to monitor wintering Bay) regularly supports 40,000 scoters, and Common Scoter Melanitta nigra numbers in occasionally 80,000. Prior to 2000, the total Carmarthen Bay to assess the effects of the Sea number wintering in Britain was thought to Empress oil spill in 1996. The All Wales Common be just 27,000. Shell Flat, a shallow sand- Scoter Survey was subsequently established, bank off Blackpool, was revealed to be the supported in particular by the Countryside most important site for the species, though Council for Wales and energy companies, and none had been recorded there previously UK’s first marine SPA – Carmarthen Bay – to WWT Consulting are currently surveying in WWT undertook the first wide scale aerial survey be determined, and provided justification for proposed Round 3 windfarm areas, gathering data of scoter sites throughout the Irish Sea. • The Thames estuary was shown to be one moving a £300M wind farm proposed for Shell further offshore than before. We are also involved of the most important sites in Europe for Shallow waters cannot be covered by boat- Flat away from the main scoter area. in trials assessing the value of new technologies wintering Red-throated Divers Gavia stellata. involving video and still imagery for surveying based survey and land-based counts greatly Our surveys have shown important foraging within constructed windfarm areas. underestimate the numbers of seaducks and The use of a Global Position System allows areas in summer for Manx Shearwaters Puffinus divers present, even close to shore. Aerial locations to be recorded with considerable puffinus, a Species of European Conservation survey, however, enables near synchronous precision. This enabled the boundary of the Concern, well beyond the boundaries of the SPAs Key Contacts: that incorporate their major breeding colonies Rebecca Woodward, [email protected] Aerial survey plane over Liverpool Bay, August 2005 Colette Hall preparing for an aerial survey in West Wales (Figure 3). Initial surveys of the Richard Hearn, [email protected] Peter Cranswick/WWT Sally Mackenzie/WWT South West also suggest that specific areas may Funders: The Crown Estate, Countryside Council for contain nationally important numbers of Black- Wales, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Department throated Divers Gavia arctica. of Energy and Climate Change, Collaborative Offshore Wind Research Into The Environment (COWRIE), In addition to birds, non-avian species such as Department for Energy, Food and Rural Affairs, NPower cetaceans, seals, Basking Sharks Cetorhinus Renewables Ltd., Ecology Consulting Ltd., Dong Energy maximus and Ocean Sunfish Mola mola have Ltd., Centrica Renewable Energy Ltd., Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. been recorded. Data in 2009 revealed the importance of the southern North Sea for Additional Partners: Ravenair. Harbour Porpoise Phocoena phocoena, as well as the Irish Sea and Celtic Sea coasts for Basking Sharks.

18 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 19 Brazillian Merganser Adriano Gambarini Capacity building for monitoring overseas

Global biodiversity loss continues, yet lack of monitoring capacity in many parts of the world makes it impossible to measure its extent or determine conservation priorities. WWT’s capacity building programme aims: • to develop and enhance monitoring of priority sites and species • to improve generic monitoring of wetland biodiversity and key threats to it.

WWT has developed a programme of work to help address the lack of monitoring capacity in many countries by the strategic transfer of key wetland biodiversity monitoring skills. Training and tools have been provided to enhance Swan Goose capacity in a variety of areas including waterbird Richard Taylor-Jones counting, capture and marking, disease surveillance, invertebrate and water quality Our generic monitoring training includes key monitoring, data management and analysis. threats such as avian influenza (AI). From 2007- 2009 we helped build AI surveillance networks Capacity building projects within our focal throughout the African-Eurasian flyway, training countries include Koshi Tappu, Nepal, where local participants from countries along the flyway at communities have been trained in the monitoring Slimbridge, in Tunisia, Kenya and Turkey and of locally important species, such as problem Nigeria. Partners in this programme include: species or those of economic value (as described Wetlands International, the United Nations Food later in this report). Species-based monitoring and Agriculture Organisation (UN-FAO) and the includes globally threatened wildfowl such as African Bird Ringing Scheme (AFRING). Brazilian Merganser Mergus octosetaceus. The development of skills in waterbird capture and Another current focus is the Yangtze floodplain in marking has resulted in trained personnel able to China, where a wide ranging training programme deliver wild bird AI surveillance programmes that is being developed in partnership with WWF-China help to underpin the broader aims of AFRING. and the Chinese State Forest Administration. The Yangtze floodplain is the most important wintering area for migrant waterbirds in Asia, supporting

more than 600,000 waterbirds, including Key Contact: Richard Hearn, [email protected] significant populations of threatened species such as Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus, Funders: WWF-China, European Union FP6 project New Flubird (SSP/8.1 no 044490), British Airways Communities Swan Goose Anser cygnoides, Siberian Crane Grus & Conservation. leucogeranus and Oriental Stork Ciconia boyciana. An ongoing training programme at the Dongting Hu wetland aims to build a comprehensive, coordinated and centrally managed wetland biodiversity monitoring scheme.

20 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 21 Birds of Conservation Concern

Common Scoter on Common Scoter, Greenland White-fronted Richard Taylor-Jones Goose and surveys of waterbirds in the marine Key Contact: Richard Hearn, [email protected] environment. Additional Partners: British Trust for Ornithology, The full BoCC3 was published in the June 2009 Countryside Council for Wales, Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust, Natural England, Northern Ireland issue of British Birds, and can be downloaded Environment Agency, Royal Society for the Protection of from www.britishbirds.co.uk. A glossy summary Birds, Scottish Natural Heritage. booklet is also available, and can be found at www.wwt.org.uk/research/monitoring/ indicators.asp.

Table 1. Status of wildfowl in Birds of Conservation Concern 3.

BoCC2 BoCC3 Species Sub-species

Mute Swan Amber Green Green Bewick’s Swan Amber Amber Amber Whooper Swan Amber Amber Amber Bean Goose fabalis Red Amber Amber Bean Goose rossicus Amber Pink-footed Goose Amber Amber Amber White-fronted Goose albifrons Amber* Red Green Regular assessment of the status of species is • two wildfowl species were Red-listed: White-fronted Goose flavirostris Amber* Red essential both to prioritise species for action, and Common Scoter, due to severe declines Greylag Goose Amber Amber Amber to gauge the success of conservation activities. in their breeding population, and Greater Barnacle Goose Amber Amber Amber Brent Goose bernicla Red WWT works as part of an informal group of Scaup, due to severe declines in their non- Amber Amber bird conservation NGOs and governmental breeding population Brent Goose hrota Amber organisations to assess the status of the UK’s Shelduck Amber Amber Amber • A further 21 wildfowl species qualified for Wigeon Amber Amber Amber birds and produce a list of priority species, Birds the Amber list, including three that were Amber Amber Amber of Conservation Concern (BoCC). formerly Green-listed (, Tufted Duck, Teal Amber Amber Amber Green Amber Amber During 2008, a major revision of the 2002 BoCC and Smew, Table 1). Mallard Pintail Amber Amber Amber list was undertaken. This was the third BoCC list Assessments at sub-specific level were also Garganey Amber Amber Amber and the fourth assessment of the conservation conducted for the first time to conform with Shoveler Amber Amber Amber status of the UK’s birds since 1990. the 2008 revision of the Biodiversity Action Pochard Amber Amber Amber Tufted Duck Green Amber Amber Plan (BAP) list, with Greenland White-fronted The status of each species was assessed using Greater Scaup Amber Red Red quantitative criteria and assigned Red, Amber or Goose Anser albifrons flavirostris, European Eider mollissima Red Amber Amber Green status with Red indicating those species of White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons, Eider faeroeensis Amber greatest conservation concern. Anser fabalis fabalis, Dark- Long-tailed Duck Amber Green Green bellied Brent Goose Branta bernicla bernicla and Common Scoter Red Red Red The BoCC3 list revealed some alarming trends European Common Eider Somateria mollissima Velvet Scoter Amber Amber Amber in many UK bird populations: mollissima meeting Red list criteria. Goldeneye Amber Amber Amber Smew Green Amber Amber • Overall, 18 species newly qualified for the BOCC and Biodiversity Action Plan list revisions Red-breasted Merganser Green Green Green Red list, whereas only six species were have already helped to reprioritise WWT’s Goosander Green Green Green downgraded from Red list status conservation work, with increased emphasis

22 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 23 Assessing the benefits of IUCN guidelines for waterbird re-introduction projects

Re-introduction is an important conservation tool, between policy and actual benefit have rarely Figure 4. Map of the especially for species threatened with extinction. been made. African-Eurasian Waterbird We reviewed waterbird re-introductions within the Agreement region. AEWA As well as overall compliance with the guidelines, Secretariat. African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) a number of activities were found to be closely region, and found the success of projects to be associated with success. These included: closely correlated with adherence to the IUCN Guidelines for Re-introductions. • completing a comprehensive feasibility study Recommendations for the future implementation • securing long-term financial and political of re-introduction projects were produced support and adopted by the 62 countries which are • eliminating or reducing to a sufficient level Contracting Parties to AEWA (Figure 4). the original causes of decline While re-introduction has proven useful and even • identifying short and long-term success key to the conservation of a number of species, indicators most projects have not resulted in self-sustaining • allowing birds time to acclimatise to their populations. To try and improve success, the IUCN release areas and gain survival skills. Guidelines for Re-introductions were published in 1998 providing specific policy guidelines for each The results emphasised the importance of phase of a re-introduction project. addressing the socio-economic aspects of re- introductions as well as the ecological aspects. As part of a review for AEWA, WWT assessed Securing long-term financial and political the relationship between re-introduction support appears to be particularly vital to re- success and adherence to the guidelines, and introduction success. assessed which activities were most closely associated with success. WWT produced 11 recommendations for the Figure 5. Relationship between compliance with 10 future implementation of re-introduction Project implementation and outcomes were IUCN guidelines scores projects, which were adopted by all 62 member and success ratings for 11 assessed by a questionnaire survey and countries of AEWA at its Fourth Meeting of re-introduction projects 8 responses scored for success and compliance the Parties in Madagascar in September for AEWA waterbird with IUCN guidelines. Compliance with IUCN 2008. WWT is exploring ways of helping AEWA species in AEWA Range States. 6 guidelines varied from 23% for a White-headed address these recommendations, including the Duck Oxyura leucocephala re-introduction in development of waterbird-specific guidelines, Hungary to 88% for a Corncrake Crex crex re- 4

standard evaluation criteria for re-introductions Rating Success introduction in the . and guidelines for completing feasibility studies.

Linear regression showed a significant positive Further information: 2 relationship between the IUCN compliance Full report: www.unep-aewa.org/meetings/en/mop/mop4_ scores and the success ratings (F1,9 =6.86, docs/meeting_docs_pdf/mop4_11_re_establishment_ 2 0 R =0.43, P <0.05, Figure 5), indicating that review.pdf 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 projects showing greater compliance with IUCN AEWA Resolution 4.4 (Developing international best Compliance Score (%) guidelines were more likely to be successful. practice for the conservation of threatened waterbirds Linear regression: F =6.86, R2 =0.43, P <0.05, through action planning and re-establishment): 1,9 While this is perhaps an obvious result, it clearly www.unep-aewa.org/meetings/en/mop/mop4_docs/final_ demonstrates that broad policy guidelines can res_pdf/res4_4_ssap_re-establishments_final.pdf make a measurable difference to specific, on- Key Contact: Rebecca Lee, [email protected] the-ground conservation projects. Similar links Funder: African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement.

24 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 25 Satellite tagged Whooper Swan 95S “Swanderful” and L3H its mate, Caerlaverock, March 2009 Investigating threats to species David Hickson Use of satellite-tracking technology in assessing offshore wind farm locations

Satellite-transmitters were fitted to 50 populations (Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus, Whooper Swans to track their migration routes Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus, Greylag and flight heights from the UK to Iceland in Goose Anser anser) and also for the Svalbard relation to offshore wind farm locations. This Barnacle Goose Branta leucopsis population project will provide advance information for and the East Canadian High Arctic Light-bellied developers about the main flight paths used by Brent Goose Branta bernicla hrota. the birds. Several current and proposed offshore wind The UK has a legally binding target to ensure farms are located along the migratory flyways that 15% of our energy comes from renewable for these species, but the extent of overlap is sources by 2020, an increase from 2.25% in unknown and remote sensing is required to 2008. One of the main sources of renewable provide fine-grained information on migration energy scheduled for development in the UK routes. This information is important for is offshore and onshore wind power. While environmental impact assessments (EIAs), renewable energy will play a key role in helping because of the potential for a cumulative effect

reduce CO2 emissions, which is essential if on a population where several wind farms are we are to tackle climate change, the rapid installed along the flyway. development of wind farms has caused concern Migratory swans are large and less manoeuvrable through the Greater Wash and the East Irish Sea, A further ten transmitters fitted in Iceland in because of the increased risk of birds colliding than other smaller birds, increasing the risk where offshore wind farms have been installed August will provide data on autumn migration in with the turbines. of collision with turbines and associated or are scheduled. As earlier studies suggest that 2009 for swans known (from ring re-sightings) to Ringing programmes undertaken by WWT and infrastructure such as power lines. Flying Whooper Swans migrate at turbine height, flight winter at these sites. The migration routes and collaborating organisations have demonstrated accidents are a major cause of death for Whooper altitude is also being assessed to determine flight patterns (including altitude of flight) will be that Britain and Ireland are the main wintering and other swan species. WWT is undertaking whether the swans pass over or through potential analysed in relation to (a) current and potential grounds for several Icelandic-breeding waterbird a project to determine the swans’ flight paths wind farms sites. wind farm locations in off-shore Britain, and (b) prevailing weather, particularly periods of poor Forty Whooper Swans were fitted with satellite- or adverse conditions. The information on the tags in Britain in winter 2008/09 to determine Figure 6. Migration swans’ movements is published live on the WWT routes of 40 Whooper their spring migration routes from sites of website to provide up to date information on the Swans tracked from the international importance for the species Whooper Swans’ migration routes and to provide UK to Iceland in March, relatively far south in Britain. This included April and May 2009 from easy access to all interested parties. WWT Wetland Centres at 20 birds at WWT Martin , Lancashire, Welney, and 15 at WWT Welney, Norfolk, and five at WWT Caerlaverock. Caerlaverock, Dumfriesshire. Almost half of Key Contact: Dr. Eileen Rees, [email protected]. the swan tracks in the east Irish Sea crossed Funder: Collaborative Offshore Wind Research into the the footprint areas of existing, near-operational Environment (COWRIE). or proposed inshore wind sites, but within the Additional Partners: Highland Ringing Group, Icelandic Greater Wash area all 15 tracks passed either Institute of Natural History, Irish Brent Goose Research Group, across the land or within the inner areas of the Irish Whooper Swan Study Group. Wash bay, thus avoiding overlap with current Links to additional information: or proposed inshore or offshore Round 3 wind whooper.wwt.org.uk/flywiththeswans farm areas (Figure 6). www.offshorewindfarms.co.uk/Pages/Publications/ Latest_Reports/Birds/The_migration_of_whoop5b2d9bbf/

26 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 27 Illegal shooting of Bewick’s and Whooper Swans

2 Figure 7. X-ray of a live Bewick’s Swan with shotgun Whooper Swans F1,16 =5.6, R =0.52, P =0.03) with higher pellets. WWT. Juha Soininen proportions recorded carrying shot during the 1970s and 1980s than in the 1990s and 2000s. This suggests that compliance with hunting legislation improved over the decades although remained poor. The higher levels of shot carried by Bewick’s than Whooper Swans probably reflects their comparatively longer overland migration (ca. 2,795 km to arctic-Russian breeding grounds and ca. 500 km to Icelandic breeding grounds, respectively). Bewick’s Swans cross more political boundaries and legislative compliance may be poorer in some countries than others. This also has implications for consistent and effective implementation of legislation and References emphasises that illegal shooting must be Evans, M.E., Wood, N.A & Kear, J. 1973. Lead shot in addressed at both national and international Bewick’s Swans. Wildfowl 24: 56-60. levels. Rees, E.C., Bowler, J.M & Butler, L. 1990. Bewick’s and WWT aims to reduce the threat of illegal hunting Whooper Swans: the 1989-90 season. Wildfowl 41:176-181. through advocating stricter enforcement of Key Contact: Julia Newth, [email protected] legislation and increased public awareness and Funder: Peter Scott Trust for Education and Research in engagement with local authorities and hunting Conservation (PSTERIC). organisations across the flyways. Although protected throughout their flyways, WWT has taken x-rays of wild birds caught our research shows that illegal shooting at several sites in the UK and tracked the remains of concern in Bewick’s and Whooper prevalence of shot-in pellets since the 1970s 45 Figure 8. Proportion of Bewick's Swan Whooper Swan Swans. Stricter enforcement of legislation (Figure 7). The study has shown that high 40 Whooper & Bewick’s and increased awareness and engagement is levels of illegal shooting continue in both the swans X-rayed carrying 35 needed to address this. Northwest European population of Bewick’s shotgun pellets. Swan and Icelandic-breeding Whooper Swan. 30 Illegal shooting may cause declines in some A significantly higher proportion of Bewick’s 25

wildfowl populations and is of concern in species % Swans (31.2%) contained shot-in pellets than 20 like swans that are long-lived and slow-breeding 2 Whooper Swans (x = 377.19, P <0.001). The 15 thus sensitive to increases in adult mortality. 1 likelihood of having been shot increased with While the Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus 10 age for both species, with more adult birds found currently appears to have a stable population, the 5 with pellets than yearlings and cygnets. The Northwest European population of the Bewick’s 0 proportion of Bewick’s Swans with embedded Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii, is thought to 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s shot varied over the past four decades but be in decline (see page 16). Both species have Decade remained high throughout the study (Figure 8). long-been protected throughout their migratory ranges by national and international legislation There was a significant relationship between (e.g. the EU Birds Directive and the African- the proportion of shot birds and the period Eurasian Waterbird Agreement). during which they were x-rayed (GLM,

28 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 29 Whooper Swans Kendrew Colhoun Lead poisoning in Whooper Swans

Spray & Milne (1988) from Iceland and Scotland in the mid 1980s. The analyses found that blood lead concentrations were generally low in swans in Iceland, where up to 6% of samples exceeded the 1.21 μmol L-1 level indicative of elevated lead. The proportion of swans with elevated lead concentrations was much higher in the wintering range, varying between 38 and 88% at the three sites monitored over the winters 2002/2003–2004/2005, and with blood lead Lead pellets are thought to take 100–300 years Additional monitoring is required to evaluate -1 concentrations ranging up to 19.5 μmol L . The to break down in the environment, and although whether regulations prohibiting the use of lead highest concentrations were in samples taken the most recently deposited are likely to be the ammunition for shooting wildfowl and/or over from swans in Scotland, with mean values of first ingested, there could well be a time lag wetlands, now adopted by all UK countries, -1 up to 2.5 μmol L (Table 2). Nevertheless this before the impacts of regulations, even when have been effective. represented a marked decrease compared complied with, are observed. with blood lead concentrations measured for Whooper Swans at the same site 20 years References ago, when >90% of swans sampled had >1.21 Cromie, R.L., Brown, M.J., Hughes, B., Hoccom, D.G. & Williams, G. 2002. Prevalence of shot-in pellets in Mallard μmol L-1 of lead in their blood. This decrease purchased from game dealers in England in winter 2001/2002. In: RSPB. 2002. Compliance with the Lead Shot Regulations (England) during winter 2001/02. RSPB, Sandy, UK. Whooper Swans and Pochards is not fully explained as regulations prohibiting O’Connell, M.M., Rees, E.C., Einarsson, Ó., Spray, C.J., Thorstensen, S. & O’Halloran, J. 2008. Blood lead levels in wintering Dan Evans the use of lead gunshot over wetlands were not introduced until March 2005 in Scotland, and moulting Icelandic Whooper Swans over two decades. Journal of Zoology 276: 21-27. Recent analysis of blood lead levels in Whooper close to the completion of our study. It may to Spray, C.J. & Milne, H. 1988. The incidence of lead poisoning among Whooper and Mute Swans Cygnus cygnus and C. olor in Scotland. Biological Conservation 44: 265–281. Swans has shown that ingestion of lead some extent reflect the ban on the sale of lead continues to be a threat to wildfowl in the UK. in anglers’ weights, which was introduced in Key Contact: Dr. Eileen Rees, [email protected] The proportion of birds with elevated blood lead Scotland in 1986. Funders: Financial support to University College Cork was provided by the Higher Education Authority, Ireland, and the at three sites in the UK ranged from 43–70% in Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland. the winters of 2002/2003–2004/2005. The highest proportion of birds with elevated blood lead concentrations (mean = 70%) Additional Partners: BirdLife Iceland, Icelandic Institute of Natural History, Sverrir Thorstensen, University College Cork, University of Dundee. Lead poisoning from the ingestion of spent was found at the English site. In contrast shotgun pellets continues to threaten wildfowl to Scotland, legislation banning the use of in the UK and globally. Scientists from lead gunshot for shooting wildfowl or over Table 2. Summary of blood lead levels (μmol L-1) for Whooper Swans Cygnus cygnus sampled in 2002–2005 at University College Cork, WWT and Iceland designated wetland sites was introduced in sites in Ireland, Britain and Iceland (from O’Connell et al. 2008). undertook a collaborative project to assess 1999 in England. While we had no historic Location Year No. birds (n) Median Mean Range % >1.21 levels of sub-lethal lead poisoning in Whooper data with which to compare blood lead levels (± s.d.) μmol L-1 Swans Cygnus cygnus by analysing blood in England, the high incidence of elevated Ireland 2002 7 0.22 0.8 (0.74) 0.12–1.61 43.0 samples taken on the UK wintering grounds concentrations is perhaps not surprising. In an Scotland 2003 21 1.00 2.5 (4.38) 0.54–19.54 38.0 and in the breeding range in Iceland. Blood lead earlier study, we found poor compliance with Iceland 2003 101 0.07 0.2 (0.21) 0.002–1.03 0.0 levels generally remain elevated for days to the legislation in at least one section of the Iceland 2004 141 0.17 0.3 (0.38) 0.002–1.81 6.0 weeks following exposure, and were considered shooting community in England two years after England 2004 46 1.37 1.5 (1.00) 0.01–5.48 61.0 to reflect exposure at or near the sampling site. the ban, with 68% of purchased Mallard having England 2005 24 1.88 2.3 (1.27) 0.96–5.48 87.5 Data collected were compared with those of been shot illegally with lead (Cromie et al. 2002). Scotland 2005 24 1.60 1.6 (0.93) 0.49–3.91 62.3

30 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 31 Action to save species Conservation of the Scaly-sided Merganser in Far East Russia The Great Crane Project

The Great Crane Project aims to re-establish a resident in the Norfolk Broads. This population Female Scaly-sided Merganser with amalgamated sustainable population of the iconic Eurasian remains isolated and extremely vulnerable. brood on the Songjianghe River, China, July 2008 Crane to the and Moors, a Phase 1 of the project will involve the release of Peiqi Liu traditional stronghold for the species. This will 100 juvenile Eurasian Cranes (20 per year for five help to secure its future as a British breeding years) between 2010 and 2014. Juvenile cranes for species and will engage the public, landowners reintroduction will be acquired as eggs collected and other interested parties with cranes and under licence from the nests of wild birds living wider wetland conservation issues. in an established population in Germany. Eggs For centuries, cranes have evoked strong will be translocated to rearing facilities at WWT emotional responses in people. Their size, elegant Slimbridge. At the rearing facilities, eggs will appearance, behaviour and haunting calls have be hatched and the chicks hand-reared by the The globally-threatened Scaly-sided Merganser Spring surveys have determined breeding inspired expression through human art, artefacts, isolation-rearing (puppet/costume) technique is one of the rarest seaducks in the Old World, densities on stretches of more than 20 rivers, mythology and legend in cultures around the world. used successfully to establish non-migratory found in remote parts of far-east Russia and and the population in the Primorye was populations of Sandhill Cranes Grus canadensis China. WWT is supporting Russian scientists to estimated at 1,100 pairs in 2008. Occupation The Great Crane Project is a partnership and Whooping Cranes Grus americana in the USA. undertake research and promote conservation of artificial nests was found to be significantly between WWT, RSPB, Pensthorpe Conservation in the core breeding range. In a relatively short higher on logged than on un-logged rivers. Trust and Viridor Credits Environmental Extensive research has identified the Somerset period, this has already provided much new and The results of this experimental management Company. It aims to reintroduce Eurasian Levels and Moors as the best re-introduction valuable information, and conservation efforts suggest that nest-site availability may be limiting Cranes Grus grus to the Somerset Levels, a location in the UK, due to the availability of are already reaping benefits. the population and that the erection of more nest part of the British countryside from which they existing breeding and feeding habitat, and boxes could lead to further population increases. have been absent for 400 years, thus helping the potential for additional habitat creation. Classed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List to secure the future of the Eurasian Crane as a Juvenile Eurasian Cranes, fitted with leg-rings owing to its small and declining population, The birds’ use of artificial nest sites has enabled British breeding species. and satellite transmitters to facilitate post- the Scaly-sided Merganser Mergus squamatus females to be caught and fitted with geolocators release monitoring, will be released from a breeds in a restricted area in southeast Russia and wintering and staging sites to be identified Once widespread in Britain, the Eurasian Crane purpose-built release enclosure. and northeast China, primarily in the Primorye in central and southern China, and in North and is one of the world’s most flamboyant and iconic region of far-east Russia. South Korea, respectively. This study, undertaken wetland birds. Habitat loss and hunting led to The project will also engage landowners, the in collaboration with the National Environmental its extinction as a breeding bird by around 1600, conservation sector and general public with crane It winters mainly in China, although its Research Institute, Denmark, has also revealed but since 1979 a small population has become reintroduction, and encourage its promotion as distribution is poorly known. Information about that both spring and autumn migrations occur part of a sustainable rural economy in Somerset. the species’ breeding status and ecology is also over just a few days. To this end, the partners will deliver a sustained lacking. Drowning in gill nets and habitat loss, programme of public engagement and PR particularly the loss of nest-sites (holes in trees Increased public awareness in the region has throughout the project to highlight the potential in broad-leafed riverine forest) due to logging, already had a positive influence. Drowning in gill of targeted conservation work for delivering wider are considered the primary threats and the nets during the brood-rearing period is a major wetland conservation benefits in Britain. The population decline is predicted to continue in cause of mortality, but local people changed Great Crane Project will be a ‘flagship’ project the near future. their fishing practices following an education for the conservation and restoration of wetland campaign. School children have also been For the past nine years, WWT has been landscapes and will encourage wide adoption of enlisted to help erect nest boxes. An action plan supporting Russian scientists, particularly Diana conservation-friendly land use. is scheduled for development in 2010. Solovieva and her team from St Petersburg, to undertake research and conservation in the Key Contacts: Nigel Jarrett, [email protected] Primorye. A major activity has been the provision Key Contact: Dr. Baz Hughes, [email protected] of artificial nest boxes to compensate for the loss Peter Cranswick, [email protected] Young being fed by child in Crane School at WWT Slimbridge Funder: Viridor Credits Environmental Company. of natural cavities, with 180 erected to date. Funders: Forestry Bureau – Taiwan Government, Nigel Jarrett/WWT Seaworld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund.

32 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 33 Pair of Madagascar Pochard, July 2009 Peter Cranswick/WWT Saving the Madagascar Pochard – the world’s most threatened duck

The Madagascar Pochard is Critically in 2008 revealed that although clutches and Endangered and now only known from one ducklings were produced, none survived beyond site. The species’ status is highly unlikely to a couple of weeks. There is an urgent need for improve without conservation intervention and emergency measures to save this species. WWT and partners have initiated a project to WWT, the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, avert its extinction. The Peregrine Fund and the Madagascar Until recently, the Madagascar Pochard Aythya Government have initiated a project to save this innotata was believed extinct, the last sighting species, with the long-term aim of securing having been in 1991. In November 2006, the existing population and establishing an however, staff from the Peregrine Fund (TPF), additional viable population in the wild. rediscovered the species on a small near The project partners planned to establish an ex Bemanevika, 300 km north of the last known situ population in Madagascar in 2010, to act site with 20 mature birds and possibly nine as a ‘safety net’, greatly reducing the risk of ducklings reported. Surveys in the region have extinction. Birds held ex situ will form part of a so far failed to locate birds at other sites, and conservation-breeding programme to provide it appears that the entire world population is birds for release into the wild at new sites. restricted to a single site. Monitoring at the site

However, when project staff visited the Red Due to wide scale wetland degradation, site Lake in July 2009, less than 20 birds with only restoration is also likely to be necessary before six females were observed, and a decision was re-introduction and this will bring benefits for taken to advance the project, and launch an a wide range of other wildlife, much of which is emergency rescue plan in autumn 2009. also threatened or endemic. Despite numerous logistical difficulties this The conservation of this species necessitates proved successful, and at the end of 2009 three a long-term commitment and a wide range clutches had been successfully hatched with of activities. These will be determined using over 20 ducklings reared and held in temporary an action planning approach, involving all key accommodation in advance of the construction stakeholders and particularly local villagers, to of a conservation breeding centre in 2010. ensure that livelihood needs are incorporated Project staff maintain a constant presence at into relevant activities. the Red Lake to ensure protection of the birds, and the and surrounding forest have been Key Contact: submitted for designation as a protected area. Peter Cranswick, [email protected] Funding is being sought for a wetland inventory Funders: Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe & Africa, of this remote part of Madagascar to identify US Fish & Wildlife Service Critically Endangered Animals Bemanevika Lake, July 2009 suitable sites for captive-bred birds to be Conservation Fund. Peter Cranswick/WWT released into the wild.

34 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 35 Severn Estuary at dusk James Lees/WWT

WETLAND CONSERVATION

36 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 37 Protecting important wetlands Saving the Severn

WWT is committed to the conservation of Our founder, Sir Peter Scott, based our wetlands, especially those of high ecological headquarters there, describing the estuary value nationally and internationally. We also as ‘the Serengeti of the UK’. It is therefore a believe that rapid action needs to be taken special place for us. to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and In 2007, the Government initiated a Severn Tidal limit the impacts of climate change. We are Power feasibility study to examine a number of therefore pressing the Government to ensure potential schemes for generating power from that current proposals for renewable energy the tides of the estuary, and is likely to decide in development on the Severn Estuary genuinely 2010 whether it wishes to support any and if so seek to minimise harm to the ecology of this under what terms. internationally important site. Initially a ‘long-list’ of ten potential schemes or WWT’s headquarters at Slimbridge sit on the options for generating energy was considered, Aerial shot of WWT Slimbridge banks of the Severn Estuary, a huge site of and this was assessed and reduced to a Gareth Bradbury/WWT national and international importance for its shortlist of five in early 2009. This assessment abundant wildlife and unique features. It is included a first public consultation and an protected by EU law as both a Special Area of We believe that radical action is needed to were dual aims of the feasibility study, so far the “Interim Options Analysis Report” (IOAR) Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection tackle climate change and deliver a low carbon environment appears to have taken a back seat. prepared for The Department of Energy and Area (SPA), and is listed as an internationally- future and that it is entirely appropriate that Climate Change to assess the options and WWT is working hard to promote the spirit of the important Ramsar wetland. It is also protected Government investigate all options for reducing provide a report to help guide ministers in stated dual aims of the feasibility study; we sit on by UK law due to the presence of several Sites CO pollution, including capturing energy from determining a draft shortlist of schemes. 2 the steering group of the Strategic Environmental of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) along its the immense tidal range present in the Severn However, an independent study commissioned Assessment (SEA), which is the formal process for shores. With a tidal range of almost 15 metres Estuary. However, as a guiding principle, priority by WWT and other NGOs (Atkins Limited looking at the schemes’ environmental impacts it also has an impressive bore, supports a wide should be given to options that genuinely seek 2009) concluded that within the IOAR, equal and we also advise specifically on ornithology range of recreational, economic and social to minimise harm to the outstanding ecology of consideration had not been given to the study issues. We, and other concerned stakeholders, activities and has considerable archaeological the Severn. While clean and affordable energy aims of acceptable environmental impact and will be watching closely when the results of the interest, as well as being a beautiful and generation and environmental acceptability providing a significant amount of renewable feasibility study are reported in 2010. wild landscape that is totally irreplaceable. energy at an affordable price; there had been no attempt to modify the long listed options to References reduce environmental impacts. Of particular Atkins Limited. 2009. Severn Tidal Power Review of concern was the retention on the short list of “Interim Options Analysis Report” prepared for a the Cardiff-Weston barrage, a 10 mile long consortium of NGOs including the WWF, WWT, National Trust, RSPB and the Wye and Usk Foundation 5079276/ structure across the estuary, just downstream RPT/02. of a line between Cardiff and Weston-super- Frontier Economics. 2008. Analysis of a . A Mare. Not only would this option be highly report prepared for the NGO Steering Group. damaging to the ecology of the estuary, but Key Contact: Carrie Hume, [email protected] it would also be expensive relative to other renewable energy options, as illustrated Additional Partners: Atlantic Salmon Trust, Friends of the by a previous study conducted by Frontier Earth, National Trust, The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Salmon and Trout Association, The Wildlife Economics (2008), commissioned by WWT and Trusts, Wye and Usk Foundation, WWF. other concerned NGOs.

Severn Bore Severn saltmarsh James Lees/WWT Nick Cottrell/WWT

38 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 39 The whole of the Welney reserve under water in March 2008 WWT nature reserves Figure 9. Location of WWT reserves. Leigh Marshall/WWT

Site protection and management are key tools result of reduced population numbers and short- for wildlife conservation. Since its’ inception stopping due to climate change. However, our WWT hasmanaged sites in order to protect reserves remain an important haven for those important species and habitats. that make the journey. For example, they support 25% of the UK wintering populations of Bewick’s WWT manages nine wetland reserves and Swan and 35% of the UK wintering populations of associated land holdings totalling 2,622 hectares, Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus. across the British Isles (Figure 9, Table 3). This land is of high ecological value, as recognised by Our biodiversity surveys have also rewarded us the UK, European or international designations with some interesting additions: applied to all or parts of our reserves. These have • we now know significantly more about the important implications for reserve management importance of the London Wetland Centre because they recognise and serve to protect for bats key features, for example rare or threatened • we have recently discovered that the habitats and species. On our reserves, examples Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius, a species include , wet grassland, reedbed, protected by UK and European legislation, is Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii, widely distributed across our Arundel site Redshank Tringa totanus and Natterjack Toad • the enigmatic and nationally endangered Epidalea calamita. However, from our survey Tadpole Shrimp Triops cancriformis has been Table 3. WWT Reserves (and associated areas of land) and their designations. and monitoring work, it has become clear that rediscovered at our Caerlaverock reserve. our reserves are significant for a far broader Reserve Name SNCI ASSI / SPA SAC Ramsar NNR MNR AONB / NP Designated Total SSSI NSA wildlife area reserve size spectrum of wildlife. Our management work, Many of our sites are affected or threatened by size (Ha) (Ha) in collaboration with local landowners and factors beyond our direct control. For example, Arundel 3 3 3 3.1 25.7 managers, aims to maintain and improve both climate change and development in the wider Caerlaverock 3 3 3 3 3 3 243 726 their key features and a wide range of other catchment has resulted in increased flooding biodiversity. of the Ouse Washes, where our Welney reserve Castle Espie 0 25 is located. The increasing threat from climate 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 600 600 Management has included relatively intensive change means that we have to adapt our Foreshore cattle grazing in previously rank areas of management to ensure that our reserves remain Martin Mere 3 3 3 119 214 saltmarsh at Llanelli. This has resulted in an important havens for wildlife and key habitats. improved sward structure without changing Llanelli 3 3 3 3 25 (81 inc. 66 (182 inc. We aim, where appropriate, to increase the foreshore) foreshore) species composition. On our reserve at Martin size of our reserves to help make them more London 3 29.45 42 Mere, Wild Liquorice Astragalus glycyphyllos robust to the effects of climate change, and to has been established after the only wild plant in Slimbridge 3 3 3 3 210 270 compensate for any other damaging activities. Lancashire was buried under tarmac at a railway Washington 3 31.16 41.7 station. Numbers of many species of wintering During 2008, WWT increased the land under its Welney 3 3 3 420 420 wildfowl, e.g. Bewick’s Swan and European White- management adjacent to our Welney and Castle Lady Fen & Bank 0 76 fronted Goose Anser albifrons albifrons have been Espie reserves. At Welney, we now manage Farm complex declining in recent years, both at our sites and Lady Fen and adjacent land at Bank Farm, while across the country. This is believed to be as a at Castle Espie in Northern Ireland we have Key SNCI Site of Nature Conservation Importance NNR National Nature Reserve secured the tenancy on four miles of Strangford ASSI / SSSI Area / Site of Special Scientific Interest MNR Marine Nature Reserve Lough foreshore. SPA Special Protection Area AONB / NSA Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty / National Scenic Area A male dormouse SAC Special Area of Conservation NP National Park discovered during Ramsar Internationally Important Wetland monitoring work at Key Contact: Emma Hutchins, [email protected] Arundel 2008. WWT. Funders: Ibstock Cory Environmental Trust supported surveys and work on Wild Liquorice at Martin Mere.

40 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 41 Soprano Pipistrelle (with radio-tracking device) was one of six bat species caught in harp traps at LWC in 2006 Ten years of bat monitoring at the London Wetland Frank Greenaway Centre

Wetlands provide key foraging habitat for bats changes in bat populations. LWC trends were in the UK, and the London Wetland Centre is compared with Greater London trends from the of regional importance for its bat diversity and NBMP. Both datasets showed increasing trends possibly national importance for its abundance in activity levels of Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus of Soprano Pipistrelles. pygmaeus (Figure 11a) and Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, but decreasing trends in The London Wetland Centre (LWC) was a concrete Noctule Nyctalus noctula activity levels (Figure 11b). reservoir until 1996 when it was developed as This may reflect overall trends in these species a wetland reserve and visitor centre by WWT. in the Greater London region. Monthly bat surveys (from spring to autumn) were conducted at LWC both pre- and post- habitat A generalised linear model of the number creation, employing a methodology based on the of Soprano Pipistrelle passes with year as a National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP). covariate, and month as a factor, suggested values for early summer, June and July were similar, Bat species detected on transect routes increased as were the values for late summer August and from three (1997-1998) to seven (2005-2006), September. The early and late summer periods, Leisler’s Bat Nyctalus leisleri and Nathusius’ References with seven species recorded annually since 2006 however, differed from one another. We therefore Pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii (nationally Briggs, P.A., Bullock, R.J. & Tovey, J.D. 2007. Ten years (Figure 10). Two other bat species (Whiskered modelled counts as a function of year and a two- rare species) have been recorded at LWC of bat monitoring at the WWT London Wetland Centre / Brandt’s Bat Myotis brandtii and Brown Long- – a comparison with National Bat Monitoring Programme level ‘season’ factor (early summer, late summer), with increasing regularity in recent years. eared Bat Plecotus auritus) have been recorded on trends for Greater London. The London Naturalist 86:47-70. with a negative binomial distribution and a log- However, there is currently insufficient data for bat detectors at LWC, but have not been detected either species to demonstrate any significant Greenaway, F. 2006. London Wetland Centre Bat Survey link function. There was a significant positive 2006. Report for the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Slimbridge. during surveys. trend in Soprano Pipistrelle abundance (year effect population trends. Key Contact: Data analyses revealed trends in species activity Wald F1,36 =21.0, P<0.001), with counts increasing A new London site survey for bats has recently Dr. Richard Bullock, [email protected] levels over time, which provide an index of by ~16.5% per annum, and four times higher after been developed, building on the field survey Funders: Environment Agency. 500 a decade. methods used by NBMP and LWC. This was Additional Partners: Bat Conservation Trust, 450 first trialled at sites in London during 2008 There was also a significant season effect London Bat Group. and will continue to be used across London 400 (Wald F1,36 =6.67, P =0.014), with counts being (see www.londonbats.org.uk/batsurvey.htm). 350 higher in late than early summer. 300 There was a significant negative trend in 250 Noctule abundance (year effect Wald F1,37 =10.2, Figure 11a. Soprano Pipistrelle pass activity at the Figure 11b. Noctule pass activity at the London 200 P=0.003), with counts declining at ~24.5% per London Wetland Centre, 1997-2006. Wetland Centre, 1997-2006. Mean Bat Passes

150 year, and falling by over 90% over a decade. There was no month or season effect (month 400 100 Early summer 800 Late summer Observed values effect Wald F3,34 =2.17, P=0.54). 50 Modelled trend Modelled trend 300 0 The trends for Daubenton’s Bat Myotis daubentoni 600 Common Daubenton's Leisler's Nathusius' Noctule Serotine Soprano Pipistrelle Bat Bat Pipistrelle Pipistrelle and Serotine Eptesicus serotinus were less clear. 200 Species Results of a recent trapping study suggested that 400 Figure 10. Mean number of passes (+/- 1 SE) per bat LWC could be nationally exceptional in terms of 100 200 No. of Passes per Survey species recorded on bat detectors at London Wetland per Survey No. of Passes

Centre, 1997-2006 (N = 40 censuses). All species were the unprecedented number of foraging Soprano per Survey No. of Passes

recorded annually. From Briggs et al. 2007. Pipistrelles (Greenaway 2006). 0 0 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 Year Year

42 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 43 Triops – the world’s oldest living animal species discovered at Caerlaverock

The Tadpole Shrimp has existed for over 200 recent times, Triops was only known from one An adult Triops cancriformis million years but only a single population was UK site in the New Forest, Hampshire but in Larry Griffin/WWT known to remain in the UK until its discovery September 2004, it was discovered in a saltmarsh at the WWT Caerlaverock reserve in 2004. pool on the WWT Caerlaverock Eastpark holding Triops reappeared at Caerlaverock in 2008 and (jointly managed with Scottish Natural Heritage the feasibility of an ex situ breeding project (SNH) as part of the National Nature Reserve). and a species recovery plan are now being This species was first recorded on the Solway investigated. in 1907 about 15 km southwest of the current The Tadpole Shrimp Triops cancriformis is a site, and last recorded in 1948 with the pools freshwater crustacean that occupies ephemeral probably being lost to the sea ten years pools. In the 19th century the species was reported later. Thus this newly discovered site is very from Kent, Hampshire, Dorset, Worcestershire, important in a UK context, being one of four Somerset and Gloucestershire. This broad occupied pools nationally (the other three in the distribution has since been much reduced. In New Forest) supporting the species.

Since 2004, the discovery pool along with aquarium. The mud substrate from this tank, hundreds of others in the vicinity has been containing Triops eggs, was subsequently dried surveyed annually mainly from April to and portions stored to maintain the genetic September according to water levels. In August identity of this population should it become 2008 Triops was again found in the same pool but extinct or should material be needed for species nowhere else on the reserve despite extensive recovery. Other portions were successfully searching. Egg cysts of this species can lie re-wetted to establish an ex situ breeding dormant for at least two decades and hatching population for potential reintroductions, appears associated with re-wetting of the pool by scientific and educational purposes. significant late summer rainfall. As many pools We are currently working with the Wildlife on the reserve are managed for Natterjack Toads Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) to Epidalea calamita, and their requirements for investigate actions needed to conserve this species temporary water bodies may overlap with those and to develop a species recovery programme. of Triops, there may be potential to increase Triops’ range on the reserve.

In September 2008, four egg-bearing Key Contact: Dr. Larry Griffin, [email protected] hermaphrodite Triops were removed from the Additional Partners: Scottish Natural Heritage. pool (under licence from SNH) and housed in an The single in which the Tadpole Shrimp Triops cancriformis is found on the upper saltmarsh of the Caerlaverock NNR, jointly managed by WWT and SNH. The depression was probably created by cattle rubbing against the concrete post. Larry Griffin/WWT

44 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 45 WWT Welney wetland treatment system which treats all wastewater leaving the centre Wetland treatment systems Sally Mackenzie/WWT

Wetland treatment systems are a sustainable the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the option for water quality improvement and University of Leeds to investigate phosphate provide benefits for wildlife and people. At WWT, cycling under different management options we design our systems to mimic natural wetland within our wetland treatment systems to habitats including pools, marshes and reedbeds increase their capacity for phosphate removal. which can support a rich diversity of wetland A comprehensive survey of macroinvertebrates plants and macroinvertebrates. was undertaken in 2008 to assess the conservation value of our systems (Buxton All nine WWT centres have wetland treatment 2009). Results indicate that system diversity systems designed to improve the quality of not only enhances their effectiveness at water passing through them. They perform treating water and their aesthetics, but also a vital function in providing clean water for their potential to support wildlife. Plant and the wetlands at our reserves and centres macroinvertebrate diversity were positively but equally protect the sensitive wetland correlated, and notable species such as the habitats that we release water into, including water beetles Colambus confluens, Cercuon Strangford Lough and the Severn Estuary. sternalis and Rhantus suturalis were found. Wetland treatment systems confer many Yellow Flag Iris benefits compared to conventional mechanised Macroinvertebrate diversity was also found to Nick Cottrell/WWT treatment technologies. At our sites, these be associated with the type of incoming water. include the provision of wildlife habitat and Those systems receiving effluent from the recreational opportunities. bird pools (animal waste) had greater species diversity and Biological Monitoring Working Our systems are diverse, from a single bed Party (BMWP) scores than those receiving of Common Reed Phragmites australis to human wastewater which had higher Biological multiple treatment stages of open water pools, Oxygen Demand (BOD) and nutrients. Both the marsh areas and reedbeds. The more complex WWT Slimbridge South Finger and WWT Llanelli systems contain a range of wetland plants systems were assessed as having a high including Yellow Flag Iris pseudacorus, Tussock conservation value. Sedge Carex paniculata and Water Mint Mentha aquatica. We regularly monitor water quality References and have found that overall our systems are Buxton, A. 2009. An assessment of the conservation value of very good at reducing organic loading and the WWT constructed wetlands for water quality improvement, nitrogenous compounds. using macroinvertebrates as indicators. WWT Report, 92pp. Key Contact: Nitrogen breakdown continues at a steady Dr. Sally Mackenzie, [email protected] state and is not affected by system age. The Funders: WWT & partners. efficiency of phosphate removal is good initially, but has been found to decrease over time as Additional Partners: University of Glasgow. the systems saturate. We are working with

46 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 47 Wigeon Robbie Wilson The Creation of Lady Fen – a wet grassland for Wigeon

A new 38-hectare wet grassland created by last two years un-seasonal rains have led to WWT, WWT Consulting and the Environment spring/summer flooding on the washes and the Agency at Lady Fen Farm in Norfolk is proving subsequent loss of eggs and chicks. to be a great success for Wigeon and other Although Lady Fen was primarily transformed species. for wetland species, features were also retained Former agricultural land at Lady Fen Farm was and enhanced for the existing suite of farmland bought by the Environment Agency (EA) in 2006 birds, such as Linnets Carduelis cannabina, Tree to establish habitat for Wigeon Anas penelope to Sparrows Passer montanus, Yellowhammer compensate for flood defence work carried out on Emberiza citrinella, Corn Buntings Miliaria the Middle Level Barrier Bank of the Ouse Washes. calandra and Goldfinches Carduelis carduelis. The land is adjacent to WWT’s Welney reserve and This included planting a native hedgerow, that is managed by WWT on behalf of the EA. also screens an adjacent road, and seeding of the road verge with wildflower mix to increase Work to establish wet grassland began the abundance of food. in 2008. Initial investigations included Early indications suggest that the project is topographical survey work to ascertain spot WHOLE PAGE FILLER already proving highly successful. In addition heights at key locations and soil analysis PIC REQUIRED to up to 500 Wigeon recorded daily at Lady Fen to establish the varying depths of peat during the first winter, Snipe and Jack Snipe and underlying clay across the site. Based Lymnocryptes minimus have been recorded on this, the design focused on altering along with more than 120 Lapwing, 200 Golden the topography to accentuate the natural Plover Pluvialis apricaria and 200 Whooper contours. Transformation into wet grassland Swans Cygnus cygnus. was achieved by digging a system of ditches, channels and scrapes, inserting a waterproof liner and seeding with native grasses. Key Contact: Emma Hutchins, [email protected] As water levels are critical for Wigeon, the site Funders: Environment Agency. has been engineered to allow control using an impermeable membrane to aid water retention and through the use of a settlement pond that holds water before release into the ditch network as required. Meanwhile, grazing by sheep and cattle has been established to manage the grassland and an electric fence serves to contain livestock and deter terrestrial predators. While specifically developed for Wigeon, wet grassland creation is also likely to benefit other wintering birds, and breeding species such as Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Snipe Gallinago gallinago and Redshank Tringa totanus. Moreover, the project may help to retain Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa in the Ouse Washes area. Their breeding areas Excavating the central ditch for Lady Fen 2008 have been restricted in recent years and for the Emma Hutchins/WWT

48 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 49 Flooded grassland Martin McGill/WWT Planning for the future – managed realignment feasibility

WWT is identifying opportunities where it can The extent to which sea level rise will affect adapt to the effects of climate change. The our centres will depend upon many complex location of our centres within floodplains and factors. These include: coastal areas makes this a critical forward- • the extent to which oceans warm and expand looking process. With careful planning, we as a result of increasing temperatures and will work with stakeholders to develop new ice sheet melt opportunities that demonstrate the creation of species-rich, multi-functional wetlands. • variations in ocean currents The inevitability of sea level rise presents an • the increased storminess predicted to result important challenge for WWT. With all nine of from climate change our centres positioned within a floodplain either adjacent to the coast or within the tidal reaches of • changes in the relative heights of land masses that are rebounding having been an estuary, the future management of our wildlife Careful planning to manage this change is concerns as our sites are managed for wildlife and depressed under the weight of glaciers rich wetlands will be subject to long term change. essential. people. We already work with landowners and land during the last ice age (Defra 2009). managers as well as statutory agencies to ensure While sea-level rise is certainly a risk to our sites, that people’s concerns are taken into proper it also presents the Trust with a management consideration, and that decisions on managed opportunity. We are embracing this opportunity, realignment are taken through a managed process and actively seeking ways of minimising risk to key of measured assessment and careful planning. habitats and species, while maximising the benefits our centres can deliver in the long-term. It is through evaluating the options at all of our centres, and careful planning involving all In some cases this may involve the creation of stakeholders, that the special wetland value that habitat adjacent to our centres, such as at Lady makes our sites so important for biodiversity will Fen next to our Welney reserve (see page 49). survive. In the long term this is likely to involve Enlarging existing sites helps to make them both local habitat creation and the establishment more robust to the effects of climate change in of large scale inter-tidal habitat, both of which several ways. Firstly it provides a larger area will require careful, sensitive management and within which species can move and adapt within partnerships with local graziers. Together we a site. Secondly, it helps to ensure that our will continue to produce wetland landscapes and reserves support large and healthy populations, seascapes thriving in wetland biodiversity long which will aid in their dispersal should conditions into the future. on our reserves become unfavourable in future. References Another climate change adaptation option is Defra 2009. Adapting to Coastal Change UK Climate managed-realignment, where sea-defences are Projections. Department for Environment, Food and deliberately breached and certain coastal areas Rural Affairs (London) [Available to download from: are reclaimed by the sea. This allows important www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/documents/ saltmarsh habitat to develop which, once uk-climate-projections.pdf] established, can provide an effective sea defence Key Contact: Tim McGrath, [email protected] by dispersing wave energy and reducing erosion Funders: Environment Agency; Natural England; Defra. rates, and also provide very valuable wildlife habitat. However, in some situations managed- Additional Partners: Environment Agency; Natural England; graziers/tenants. Wigeon flock, a species that will benefit from developing the Lady Fen site realignment may put properties and businesses Paul Marshall at risk, and we will always be sensitive to these

50 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 51 Boy drinking from outside tap in Laos Matt Simpson/WWT Enhancing and demonstrating the benefits of wetlands Clean water for people and wildlife in Laos

The That Luang Marsh Water Project Planting the wetland at None Khor demonstrates how natural wetland technology school, Vientiane can be used as a sustainable, multiple benefit Pauline Gerrard option for treating wastewater generated from houses and industry.

That Luang Marsh is a 2,000 ha wetland on the outskirts of Vientiane, the capital city of Laos. The marsh has historically recycled nutrients from the city’s wastewater, played a key role in flood storage, and supported livelihoods based on agriculture and fish. However, as the population and industrialisation of Vientiane have increased, the capacity for the marsh to continue to provide these services has declined due to land reclamation, increased pollution and loss of biodiversity. WWT, WWT Consulting, WWF and local governmental partners are working together on an EU ASIA Pro Eco II funded project to address some of these issues. The project has focused particularly on the use of wetland treatment systems for wastewater treatment. The wetland treatment systems will form part These systems can offer a long-term, low of a management plan for That Luang Marsh, cost, sustainable option to water treatment which will also integrate urban development and, with careful design, can bring a wealth of plans, current physical and ecological further benefits including wildlife habitat, flood functioning of the marsh and livelihood use, to retention and livelihood options. balance the needs of all stakeholders. Training seminars and workshops led by WWT have Four treatment wetlands have been constructed demonstrated assessment techniques for so far; one for a primary school, two for water quality improvement to the local project small cottage industries and a system for a team, who are now using these skills to collect single house. These systems will be used to baseline data to feed into the plan. Successful demonstrate that treatment wetlands can be local capacity building will enable effective easy to create and manage, low cost, effective, implementation of the management plan and fit well within the landscape, and are easy to help restore the ecosystem services that That replicate in a variety of situations. To meet the Luang Marsh delivers. needs of stakeholders, we have incorporated specific features into the systems such as the ability to re-use water, plant harvesting areas Key Contact: and a frog rearing pond. Plans are also being Dr. Sally Mackenzie, [email protected]

produced for two large scale central wetlands Funders: EU ASIA PRO Eco II. which will target the majority of the city’s wastewater which flows into two main drainage Additional Partners: Department of Science and Technology, Vientiane Capital (STEO). canals – Hong Xeng and Hong Ke.

52 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 53 Managing wetlands for sustainable livelihoods at Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Nepal

the site results in reduced access to resources as well as increased risk from human-wildlife conflict. Consequently, the reserve is viewed negatively by many and reserve regulations are not adhered to. The Koshi Tappu Management Plan recognises that this has resulted in unsustainable exploitation of resources within the reserve and associated disturbance. A Malaha fisherman For its long term viability, people living casting a net adjacent to the reserve must be able to obtain Bhagwan Dahal a sustainable livelihood – i.e. one which is resistant to environmental shocks and does A cost-benefit analysis of the livelihood Figure 12. Annual total profit in Nepalese rupees for not result in the unsustainable exploitation alternatives that provide an income showed that four different livelihood options: a) profit resulting per 2 of the resources necessary for the ecological fish farming and mat weaving give excellent kathha (ca. 0.07 ha) of land used; and b) profit resulting per person day of labour required. functioning of the reserve and the long-term returns per unit area of land used compared to conservation of its wildlife. conventional crop-growing. Although returns are a) poorer in terms of labour input required (Figure In collaboration with Bird Conservation Nepal 30,000 we investigated wetland resource use at Koshi, 12), most of the poorest people have only limited and identified barriers to sustainable livelihoods. access to land, whilst labour is cheap. 25,000 We found several livelihood options that offer For these people, the profit margins 20,000 sustainable alternatives to current resource use, demonstrated from alternatives to crops 15,000 and provided investment and training to enable Rupees encourage a greater diversity of income sources. 10,000 the poorest most wetland-dependent people This means they are not solely dependent on fish A Musahar woman to benefit from them. For example, fish farming or labouring for income, both of which are highly 5,000 making a mat from in dug from agricultural land in the unpredictable. As a result, local people are less 0 Typha stems reserve buffer zone provides a good alternative Crops Fish Mats Briquettes likely to engage in environmentally damaging Livelihood Option Matthew Simpson/WWT to the capture of wild fish. Weaving mats activities (such as encroaching into the reserve using Typha offers an alternative to fishing as illegally to fish or gather other resources). The wetlands at Koshi Tappu in eastern Nepal a livelihood, enabling women in particular to are vitally important, not just for Nepal’s last generate an income. We produced wetland management guidelines wild Water Buffalos and the tens of thousands to encourage the uptake of these livelihoods and b) We have also found two good uses for invasive of waterbirds they support, but also for the to inform the revision of the site management 1,600 non-native plants. These both support local people who live there and depend on wetlands plan. Monitoring will be necessary to measure 1,400 livelihoods and provide an incentive for people 1,200 for their livelihoods. This dependence results in the benefits that the uptake of livelihood options to remove them from waterbodies. Using 1,000 pressure on wetland resources in and around bring to both people and biodiversity, and to Water Hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes to make determine whether further conservation and 800

the reserve, so WWT is helping alleviate these Rupees compost reduces the need to purchase chemical 600 by identifying sustainable alternatives that development work is necessary. fertilisers. Charcoal made from invasive Ipomoea 400 support local livelihoods. and Lantana is made into briquettes. These 200 0 Koshi Tappu is a designated Wildlife Reserve provide a smokeless fuel which is more efficient Key Contact: Dr. Seb Buckton, [email protected] Crops Fish Mats Briquettes Livelihood Option and was Nepal’s first Ramsar site. Communities and cheaper than firewood, and reduces demand Funders: UK government Darwin Initiative. around the reserve are financially constrained for animal manure for fuel (thus increasing the amount available as fertiliser on farmland). Additional Partners: CAB International, Koshi Camp, Stirling and many people perceive that conservation of University, Institute of Aquaculture Tribhuvan University.

54 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 55 Capacity building for natural resource management in Guyana

This project developed a comprehensive quality, water quality, human use, importance biodiversity evaluation and monitoring for livelihoods, and bird, mammal, reptile, fish programme for the forests, wetlands and and plant species counts. savannas of the North Rupununi, Guyana, and an Human activities such as fishing, hunting, logging adaptive management plan to guide sustainable and mining were recorded at each wetland site natural resource use. Partnership working among and interviews with community members were Guyanese and UK organizations helped build local used to assess the frequency of each activity. capacity in sustainable management and raised awareness of wetland biodiversity conservation. Using these data, a comprehensive ecosystem and community health assessment was undertaken The North Rupununi is a mosaic of savannah, for the region to assess the resistance, flexibility wetland, and rainforest with high biodiversity. and adaptability of the system to threats such as It is the homeland of the Makushi Amerindians climate change. For example, bird data analysis whose livelihoods depend upon the use of natural indicated a relationship between species and resources. This pristine environment is threatened specific habitat types (forest or savannah) and by logging and mining so there is an urgent water body hydrogeomorphic type. need to monitor impacts, develop management programmes and build general capacity in The assessment indicated that humans are conservation and natural resource management. not currently having a detrimental impact on Guyana pond habitat quality or species distributions, but with In 2008, with funding from the UK Government’s Matthew Simpson/WWT proposed mining and logging operations this is Darwin Initiative, WWT and WWT Consulting, with set to change rapidly. UK and Guyanese partners, completed an eight developed for their promotion. We helped to build An impact assessment was undertaken at the year project to build such capacity and develop A total of 214 species of birds were recorded in sustainability through equipping the Guyanese end of the project and will be repeated in the a biodiversity monitoring programme across the including four species new to the Guyana partner organisations to provide training to future to determine the legacy of the work region. checklist – the Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias, rangers and communities. Over 100 people have undertaken. Orange-chinned Parakeet Brotogeris jugularis, Thirty one wetland sites were surveyed over two been trained and many partner organizations Powerful pollens and References years, with monthly records of wetland habitat now offer the courses developed. Red-capped Cardinal Cardenal bandera alemana. Mistry, J., Berardi, A. & Simpson, M. 2008. Birds as The project also aimed to develop much broader indicators of wetland status and change in the North Central to the project’s capacity building capacity for conservation across Guyana, and Rupununi, Guyana. Biodiversity Conservation 17:2383– 2409. component was the premise that local people a wide range of education resources were are the most effective managers and protectors produced, from school packs for pupils and Mistry, J., Berardi, A., Roopsind, I., Davis, O., Haynes, of the wetlands upon which they depend. Local L., Davis, O. & Simpson, M. In press. Capacity building staff, to courses offered by the University for adaptive management: a problem-based learning people were reinstated in this role through of Guyana. Funding from the British High approach. Development in Practice. training in monitoring and management and Commission provided every school in Guyana UK Government’s Darwin Initiative Guyana Partnership. the development of management plans for the with environmental science resources. 2008. North Rupununi Adaptive Management Process sustainable use of resources, such as fisheries. (NRAMP) Wetlands Project. The project has been successful in providing Their monitoring will be used to assess impacts Key Contact: on biodiversity which will be communicated to the resources and developing capacity at a range Dr. Matt Simpson, [email protected] of levels. The commitment to biodiversity Environmental Protection Agency and Iwokrama Funders: conservation and sustainable development Royal Geographical Society; UK Government’s International Centre if wider action is required. Darwin Initiative; British High Commission in Guyana. demonstrated by local Amerindian Ecotourism initiatives were also developed communities, partner organizations and the Additional Partners: North Rupununi District Makushi Girl to help supplement incomes, with a tourist Development Board, Royal Holloway, University of London; Government of Guyana needs to continue to The Open University. Matthew Simpson/WWT guidebook produced and community websites ensure the survival of this important area.

56 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 57 Wetlands In My Back Yard (WIMBY)

manage the water in their gardens, and how they feel about their backyard wetland. Results (from over 1,500 respondents) revealed that: • whilst nearly two-thirds of respondents The wetlands in our backyards are important collect rain in water butts, only a fifth of for a whole suite of reasons. The WIMBY those use rainwater in their ponds project aims to increase the number of • over a half of those with ponds use tap water urban wetlands, to encourage their better to top it up some or all of the time management, and to promote water and energy conservation. • public perceptions of ponds were overwhelmingly positive: all but four out of Wetlands in urban areas can deliver a range over 1,000 respondents with ponds were of benefits to both wildlife and people. They happy that they had a pond in their garden provide natural habitats, helping to make sometimes inhospitable urban landscapes • the vast majority (99%) of those with backyard more attractive to wildlife, for example enabling wetlands appreciated that their wetland amphibians and reptiles to live in, and disperse, provides habitat to wildlife, but many also across urban areas more easily. recognise it brings benefits to them (90%), and the rest of their garden (81%) If well designed and managed, small urban wetlands can also help to reduce urban flooding • many people, however, experience difficulties and improve water quality by forming part of in managing their pond, and would like more individually tailored Sustainable Urban Drainage information on how to do this well. The main Systems (SUDS). Importantly, they also provide problem identified was uncontrolled growth recreational opportunities and an excellent vehicle of algae and duckweed, indicative of nutrient- for conservation education. The need to enhance enriched water. public understanding of the importance of water We will use the results of this baseline survey and energy conservation is urgent; well managed to provide the information people need to create backyard wetlands can save water, energy, and effective wetlands, better manage existing often money. wetlands, and save energy and water. Our three main objectives are to increase the To encourage people to enter the survey and number of backyard wetlands, improve their stimulate new wetland creation we will be management (e.g. with respect to invasive non- running an annual competition with a £1,000 native species) and enhance understanding prize. In future years, we will expand this of ways of conserving water and energy in the project to support the development of both garden (and home). garden and community wetlands that provide As part of the project, we conducted a pilot the suite of benefits mentioned above. survey to gather information on the ponds and other wetlands in people’s gardens and Key Contact: Dr. Seb Buckton, seb.buckton wwt.org.uk community spaces such as school grounds, @ parks and allotments. We asked how people Funders: Marsh Christian Trust

58 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 59 Dr Baz Hughes presents on the plight of the Red-Breasted Goose CONSERVATION Richard Taylor-Jones ADVOCACY

60 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 61 Water and Energy Stop Climate Chaos Sustainability starts at home

True sustainability cannot be achieved the small amount of remaining liquid treated Delivering Government targets on renewable breadth of membership demonstrates how overnight, but rapid advances in technology are in a reedbed and then lost altogether in a energy (15% of our from climate change issues cut across societal helping us, and at WWT centres we continue to transpiration bed – a zero waste system. renewable energy by 2020) and reducing groups, affecting us all. develop new ideas and demonstrate practical emissions of greenhouse gases (an 80% Heating and electricity use are the centres’ SCC works very publicly, through peaceful solutions. reduction by 2050) will be immensely principal sources of carbon output and we have demonstration, to highlight where different challenging. It is imperative though that we reduced these wherever possible. At Welney we Government policies have the capacity to As a conservation organisation dedicated to meet these targets for the sake of people, use a “ground source heat pump” – a series of undermine the delivery of climate change saving wetlands and their biodiversity, we wetlands and their wildlife across the world. are particularly aware of our own impact on 12 pipes passing vertically down deep into the targets. Examples include new coal fired power

the environment. Reducing this impact was a underlying clays. The system works by exploiting Uncontrolled, CO2 emissions will result in stations built without carbon capture and storage key objective in our two recent visitor centre the small but permanent temperature difference significant and damaging climate change, which technology, or an inappropriately expanding developments, at Welney and Castle Espie. between the air and the ground – liquid pumped will dramatically affect many of the species and aviation sector. through the pipes returns slightly warmer and wetlands that we champion around the world. The storage and re-use of water is of primary The coalition has been highly successful in through a heat exchanger is used to warm importance. At both centres, the roof structure Climate change will affect wetlands in a wide engaging politicians on the need for swift and an underfloor heating system. For every unit collects rainwater to flush toilets and fill ponds. variety of ways, for example: effective action on climate change. of energy used in pumping, the equivalent of At Castle Espie, grey water is recycled from the five units of heat is generated – literally free • rising sea levels will cause flooding of many We look forward to working through Stop Climate kitchen and hand basins to be re-used in toilets heat from the ground. At Castle Espie the heat low lying coastal areas Chaos into the future. We believe it essential that and waste toilet water is treated by constructed source is a biomass boiler capable of burning the UK Government provides effective leadership wetlands planted with reed and iris. Castle • the physical state of wetlands will be affected wood pellets or even wood chips (which can be following the Copenhagen negotiations, in Espie now has a total of three systems which by changes in precipitation and evaporation generated from the site itself). Roof- mounted December 2009, at which a replacement for convert all its wastewater to a quality that can solar panels help heat the water and a dedicated the Kyoto protocol (an international agreement be discharged locally. However, a new system • the temperature of many inland water bodies wind generator provides 20% of the centre’s total setting binding targets for the reduction of of “transpiration” beds (where the water flows may increase. electricity. Energy demand was reduced at Castle greenhouse gases in 37 industrialised countries into bunded areas of willow and is drawn up Espie by maximising the use of natural daylight Changes in land use and water demand and the European Union) was discussed. A to the atmosphere through the trees) means in the building design and at both sites insulation resulting from climate change will further replacement must be found quickly that includes that there is no discharge for most of the year. exceeds the requirements of building regulations accentuate impacts on wetlands. It is clear that new countries and is also fair on developing Castle Espie also features a new composting – at Welney the insulation used was recycled many aquatic species will struggle to adapt to a countries. We will work through 2010 and toilet where the urine is separated as soil telephone books! different climate. beyond to understand how best to enhance our fertiliser, the solids used to create compost and role in reducing emissions and to highlight to Landscaping around our buildings is also By adding our voice to that of over 100 other Government, and others, the impacts of climate carefully considered – car parks are created organisations through the Stop Climate Chaos change on wetlands and their wildlife. with porous systems and integral channels that (SCC) coalition we are helping to ensure that convey excess water to created wetlands. This Government appreciates and reacts to the This will complement our work on a range of helps to alleviate local flooding by returning strength of opinion there is for effective action other domestic and practical climate change water directly to the water table or discharging on climate change. mitigation and adaptation measures. it slowly over time. These Sustainable Urban SCC members include a wide community of Drainage Systems (or SUDS) principles are Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) slowly being applied to all our car-parks as Key Contact: Carrie Hume, [email protected] including development organisations, religious opportunities arise. organisations and a range of other interest Additional Partners: www.stopclimatechaos.org groups, along with environmental NGOs. This Key Contact: Kevin Peberdy, [email protected] Welney centre Nick Cottrel/WWTl

62 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 63 Dried mud on the Severn Estuary James Lees/WWT EU Water Framework Directive and River Basin Management Plans

The EU Water Framework Directive has the that will deliver wetland benefits across whole potential to deliver unprecedented positive catchments – we hope these factors can be changes for wetlands and the wildlife they considered integral to the delivery of the Directive. support. The goal of the Directive is to deliver Within the RBMPs, WWT is encouraging: ‘good ecological status’ on many of the UK’s most important wetlands – which includes 1. A clear rise in ambition relating to the some of our reserves. We need to ensure that proportion of water bodies delivering good the ambition of the Directive is fulfilled. ecological status, citing more carefully targeted supporting measures. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) has the potential to deliver a step change in addressing 2. A greater emphasis on more innovative historic damage to wetlands. It differs from ways (like treatment wetlands) of improving other water quality legislation in that it aims to ecological status and water quality, using the raise both the ecological quality of wetlands and skills and expertise of local partners such as the chemical status of the water which runs WWT. through them.

Many of our wetlands are in a poor ecological Key Contact: Carrie Hume, [email protected] condition, polluted and modified by humans Additional Partners: Blueprint for Water Coalition for many centuries. The WFD is designed (www.wcl.org.uk/blueprintforwater.asp) to undo, where possible, some of this (often unnecessary) harm so that wetlands can again provide society with good quality water and a wide range of wildlife. We have high hopes that the goals and targets of the WFD will be delivered through action described in the Environment Agency (EA) River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs). These describe a broad action plan for delivering good ecological status, drawing across a range of delivery mechanisms and partnership activity. WWT has commented on some of the plans and is seeking active engagement with the delivery of them. We are keen that the ambition to deliver good status on all relevant water bodies by 2015 is not eroded, and that the mechanisms described actually have the capacity to deliver the desired wetland quality benefits. We are also working to ensure that our own actions make a contribution to delivering the Directive.

WWT owns and manages large areas of important WWT Washington overland beds treating water wetlands, has extensive knowledge of water entering the centre which originates from a sewage treatment techniques, and is developing projects treatment works WWT

64 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 65 Blueprint for Water A Wetland Vision for England

Messages about the benefits that wetlands This vision of future wetlands shows great Our work on delivering and enhancing small deliver and the need to manage water sustainably promise to deliver significant new areas of scale wetlands in people’s backyards, and our are core to WWT’s mission, and we have been a wetland habitat that will benefit both people and expanding program of treatment wetlands also member of the Blueprint for Water Coalition since wildlife – indeed it is already doing so. We look contribute. We are a partner in a related project, its inception in 2006. The Coalition’s message is forward to playing our role in furthering its aims. championed by the Environment Agency, to that there are ‘ten steps to sustainable water’, help identify how climate change may affect the Set against a lengthy backdrop of abuse and each necessary, and urgent, if we are to avert a delivery of the vision in different parts of mismanagement, the long-term future of our water crisis. We believe these steps are crucial to the country. deliver a more sustainable and valued future for wetlands is very uncertain. Wetlands once A key objective of the Wetland Vision is to ‘make wetlands and wetland wildlife. covered vast parts of England, and whilst we can not reverse the clock, we can plan for a future in wetlands more relevant to people’s lives...and While there are many individual Government which more wetlands provide essential services communicating their benefits widely throughout policies, organisations and initiatives designed to society, and support a rich diversity of wetland society’. We are uniquely placed to deliver to manage water effectively, there is no strategic wildlife. This requires a long term creative vision elements of this via messages through our plan describing what is necessary to ensure that WWT supports all of the 10 steps to sustainable that helps to influence, rather than is influenced network of wetland centres and through our every aspect of water conservation is maximised water identified by the coalition, but those we by, current practical and policy constraints. engagement programs and wetland benefits to deliver benefits to society and the environment. actively champion are: advocacy work. In 2008, a coalition of statutory bodies (Natural Water is polluted, wasted and undervalued and 1. Waste less water – we advocate the need for England, the Environment Agency, and while individual elements of this are addressed, water saving technologies, and demonstrate English Heritage) and NGOs (RSPB and The Key Contact: Carrie Hume, [email protected] there is a long way to go before we can be proud Wildlife Trusts) launched a 50-year Wetland these at our centres and in our wider Additional Partners: The Wetland Vision partnership of our stewardship of water. community work. Vision for England. This described a positive (www.wetlandvision.org.uk). future for our much diminished wetlands, and The Blueprint for Water Coalition is a Wildlife and 2. Retain water on floodplains and wetlands – identified locations in which wetland wildlife Countryside Link campaign, which brings together we practice, on our reserves, and advocate could again flourish whilst delivering a host of the voice of WWT and a number of other concerned the maintenance of floodplains and wetlands other benefits to society. These include flood NGOs around the issue of water conservation. It for their biodiversity and other benefits, such water management, carbon storage, and long has become an effective means of influence in as flood risk management. term protection of our buried archaeological Government, and the respected voice of the NGO resources. WWT is pleased to have been community on water conservation issues. 3. Clean up drainage from roads and buildings – we both advocate and demonstrate the involved in this project which was instrumental In 2009, the coalition reviewed priority actions benefits of implementing Sustainable Urban in levering millions of pounds for new wetland that need to be taken, and identified a range Drainage Systems (SUDS) and wetland conservation schemes, and we look forward to of upcoming opportunities to deliver these, treatment systems. playing our part in helping deliver its objectives. such as those potentially available through the WWT helped to develop the Wetland Vision Flooding and Water Management Bill, the River through our role in the project’s Technical Basin Management Plans and as a result of Key Contact: Carrie Hume, [email protected] Advisory Group (TAG) participating in workshops, various other Government-led reviews. We are Additional Partners: Blueprint for Water Coalition authoring material and hosting the launch of the working hard both individually and through the (www.wcl.org.uk/blueprintforwater.asp). outputs at our London Wetland Centre. coalition to influence these so that they deliver better outcomes for wetlands and their wildlife. We now have a position on the initiative’s steering group, and will therefore help guide future delivery. Many of our reserves contribute to Wetland Vision target areas, and we aim to work in partnership to help realise its People enjoying the beautiful wetland at WWT Arundel landscape-scale ambitions. Heather Tait

66 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 67 Wildlife health Avian influenza and wider wildlife health issues: an international policy approach

Broad environmental changes are resulting three years, the virus spread across Asia, Europe in the emergence of wildlife diseases which and Africa affecting public and poultry health, are having an increasing impact on global and killing wild birds. biodiversity, wildlife conservation, human WWT staff use a corrall to gather In additional to the direct effects of mortality birds for their annual vaccinations health, domestic animal health and economies of wild birds, particularly worrying responses Nick Cottrell/WWT worldwide. WWT has played a significant role to this strain of avian influenza have been the in ensuring wildlife health is addressed in an development of public fear about waterbirds appropriate way by the major international materials, including guidelines for reducing makers have the appropriate information, tools and misguided attempts to control the disease conservation conventions. avian influenza risks at Ramsar sites and other and structures to help deal with these complex by disturbing or destroying wild birds and wetlands of importance to waterbirds (available cross-cutting problems. Late spring 2005 saw an unprecedented their habitats. Such actions would be not only from: www.ramsar.org/pdf/key_res_x_21_e.pdf). development in the epidemiology of highly damaging, but ineffective. pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 as it CMS Resolution 9.08, Responding to the Key Contact: Dr. Ruth Cromie, [email protected] These conservation implications and the moved from domestic poultry into the wild bird challenge of emerging and re-emerging high profile nature of this issue ensured that Funders: UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), CMS. population causing mass mortality of several diseases in migratory species including highly the subject was high on the agendas of the species including 10% of the world population pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, called on Additional Partners: The 14 member organisations of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar), the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds, of Bar-headed Geese Anser indicus in an Contracting Parties to address the broader Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and including BirdLife International, Wetlands International, outbreak at Lake Qinghai, China. Over the next issues of wildlife disease and called for the the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement CMS, Ramsar and FAO. creation of a UN-funded Scientific Task Force (AEWA) when they met in 2008. In response to on Wildlife Disease (based on the success of these concerns, WWT together with the Joint the Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), were Wild Birds), which WWT is developing with UN instrumental in drafting a number of resolutions, partners and Ramsar. (available from: www. which were adopted by the Contracting Parties to cms.int/bodies/COP/cop9/documents/meeting_ each convention: docs/Res%20and%20Rec/Post_session_Pre_ AEWA Resolution 4.15, Responding to the final/Res_9_08_Wildlife_Disease_E.pdf). spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1, The adoption of these Resolutions was a major urged Contracting Parties to use and further step forward in ensuring that avian influenza disseminate the ‘Practical Lessons Learned’ and other wildlife diseases are addressed guidance compiled by the Scientific Task Force in a consistent and appropriate way at an on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds, a United international level. Nations (UN) -funded Task Force coordinated by WWT which brought together many of the The importance of the emergence of wildlife practical issues involved in responding to diseases affecting human and livestock health – this disease including contingency planning, as well as conservation – has become apparent surveillance and communications (available at a global scale. WWT has been called upon by from: www.unep-aewa.org/meetings/en/mop/ Ramsar’s Scientific and Technical Review Panel mop4_docs/final_res_pdf/res4_15_responding_ to produce guidance, similar to that produced threat_ai_final.pdf). for HPAI, for other diseases of importance to wetlands. Ramsar Resolution X.21, Guidance on responding to the continued spread of highly This, together with the work of the two UN- WWT staff showing Testing Greylag Goose pathogenic avian influenza, called on Contracting funded Task Forces, and WWT’s wider wildlife the administration of for Avian Influenza Parties to adopt non-lethal responses to HPAI health work, will go some way to ensuring site annual vaccinations Nick Cottrell/WWT in wild birds and provided a number of guidance managers, governments and other decision Nick Cottrell/WWT

68 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 69 Wetland Link International PUBLICATIONS

Wetland Link International (WLI), launched in continents. Regional network coordinators are in Papers Crowe, O., Austin, G.E., Colhoun, K., 1991, is an engagement support network for regular contact via telephone/skype conference Cranswick, P.A., Kershaw, M. & Musgrove, A.J. over 300 wetland centres globally. We have a and we aim to have a face-to-face meeting once Banks, A.N., Sanderson, W.G., Hughes, B., 2008. Estimates and trends of waterbird numbers Memorandum of Co-operation with the Ramsar every two years, to provide training, sharing of Cranswick, P.A., Smith, L.E. Whitehead, wintering in Ireland, 1994/95 to 2003/04. S., Musgrove, A.J. Havelock, B., & Fairney, N.P. 2008. Secretariat for WLI’s role in delivering wetland best practice and study visits. Bird Study 55: 66–77. The Sea Empress oil spill (Wales, UK): Effects on CEPA (Communication, Education, Participation Common Scoter Melanitta nigra in Carmarthen and Awareness-raising) worldwide. Priority themes Drewe, J., Mwangi, D., Donoghue, H.D. & Bay and status ten years later. Marine Pollution Cromie, R.L. 2008. PCR analysis of presence and We also focus on helping our members to Bulletin 56: 895-902. location of Mycobacterium avium in a constructed What is a wetland centre? deliver messages effectively in several areas , with implications for avian tuberculosis Wetland centre means any place where people are of importance to wetlands and the wildlife and Bowler, J., Mitchell, C., Broad, R., Leitch, A. control. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 67: 320-328. brought into contact with wetlands for education, people that they support globally. These include: & Stroud, D. 2008. Wintering wader surveys on involvement and recreation. These range from • climate change the Isle of Tiree, Argyll. Scottish Birds 28: 32-41. Eaton, M.A., Brown, A.F., Noble, D.G., huge, built complexes with thousands of visitors • migratory birds Musgrove, A.J., Hearn, R.D., Aebischer, N.J., a week, to small community-based groups that • invasive species Briggs, P.A., Bullock, R.J. & Tovey, J.D. 2007. Gibbons, D.W., Evans, A. & Gregory, R.D. 2009. run a few guided walks per year. The emphasis • wise use of wetlands Ten years of bat monitoring at the WWT London Birds of Conservation Concern 3: the population is on giving people a better understanding of why • threatened wetland species. Wetland Centre – a comparison with National status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Bat Monitoring Programme trends for Greater wetlands are important, the threats they face and WLI provides draft press releases and generic Islands and the Isle of Man. British Birds 102: London. The London Naturalist 86: 47-70. positive action that can be taken to protect them. background information to support members 296–341. in delivering messages around these themes Information and resources Brooks, T.M., Collar, N.J., Green, R.E., through their own activities. Information is often Fisher, J., Stratford, C.J. & Buckton, S. 2009. Marsden, S.J. & Pain, D.J. 2008. The Science Variation in nutrient removal in three wetland WLI facilitates the sharing of information and provided to coincide with international campaigns of Bird Conservation. In: Bird Conservation blocks in relation to vegetation composition, resources, and the WLI website makes them or activities, such as World Wetlands Day, World International, Volume 18, Supplement S1, inflow nutrient concentration and hydraulic accessible across the world. A central store Migratory Birds Day and World Water Day. September 2008, pp S2-S12. loading. Ecological Engineering 35: 1387-1394. of resources serves to support the set-up and running of new centres, and to help existing Buckton, S.T. & Ormerod, S.J. 2008. Fox, A.D., Cao, L., Barter, M., Rees, E., Hearn, R., wetland centres to deliver CEPA activities and Key Contact: Chris Rostron, [email protected] Niche segregation of Himalayan river birds Cong, P.H., Wang X., Zhang Y., Dou, S.T. & Shao, X.F. manage visitors in a low impact way. There is an WLI website: www.wli.org.uk Journal of Field Ornithology 79: 176–185. 2008. The functional use of East Dongting Lake, interactive map, showing project locations and Funders: WLI was funded by HSBC until China, by wintering geese. Wildfowl 58: 3-19. linking to detailed descriptions. A web-forum June 2009. Childress, B. & Hughes, B. 2007. Evidence of promotes contact and information sharing Additional Partners: Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. interchange between African Lesser Flamingo Fox, A.D., Hearn, R., Cao, L., Cong, P.H., between members. populations. Ostrich 78: 507-507. Wang, X., Zhang, Y., Dou, S.T., Shao, X.F., Current initiatives include the development of Barter, M. & Rees, E. 2008. Preliminary Childress, B., Hughes, B., Harper, D., a skills audit to allow members to ask each observations of diurnal feeding patterns of Van den Bossche, W., Berthold, P. & Querner, U. other for support, and a distance learning Swan Geese Anser cygnoides using two different 2007. East African flyway and key site network package to help build the capacity of site-based habitats at Shengjin Lake, Anhui Province, China. of the Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus minor) environmental educators. Wildfowl 58: 20-30. documented through satellite tracking. Co-ordination Ostrich 78: 463-468. Furse-Roberts, J. 2009. Interpretation master planning: creating holistic narrative experiences. An e-mail list and regular regional meetings Roots 6: 5-8. help improve contact and co-ordination between the partners. Active WLI networks exist in Asia, North America and Oceania, and Children pond-dipping at Hong Kong Wetland Park we are developing regional networks in other Hong Kong Wetland Park

70 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 71 Griffin, L.R. 2008. Identifying the pre-breeding Mitchell, C., Street, L., Moore, P. & Prescott, T. Tombre, I.M., Høgda, K.A., Madsen, J., Griffin, Brooks, T.M., Collar, N.J., Green, R.E., areas of the Svalbard Barnacle Goose Branta 2009. Changes in the numbers of breeding L.R., Kuijken, E., Shimmings, P., Rees, E. & Marsden, S.J. & Pain, D.J. 2008. (Editors) Bird leucopsis between mainland Norway and waders on wetlands and farmland in Badenoch Verscheure, C. 2008. The onset of spring and Conservation International, Volume 18, Supplement Svalbard: an application of GPS satellite-tracking and Strathspey, between 2000 and 2005. Scottish timing of migration in two arctic nesting goose S1, September 2008, pp S2-S12 doi:10.1017/ techniques. Vogelwelt 129: 226–232. Birds. 29: 195-201. populations. Journal of Avian Biology 39: 691-703. S0959270908000427. Published Online by Cambridge University Press 07 Aug 2008. Guillemain, M., Elmberg, J., Gauthier-Clerc, M., Mitchell, C. & Trinder, M. 2008. On reading colour Trinder, M.N., Hassell, D. & Votier, S. 2009. Massez, G., Hearn, R.D., Champagnon, J. & Simon, rings. Ringing & Migration 24: 11-14. Reproductive performance in arctic-nesting geese Childress, B., Nagy, S. & Hughes, B. (Compilers). G. 2010. Wintering French Mallard and Teal are is influenced by environmental conditions during 2008. International Single Species Action Plan for the heavier and in better body condition than 30 years Newth, J., Colhoun, K., Einarsson, O., Hesketh, R., the wintering, breeding and migration seasons. Conservation of the Lesser Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ago: effects of a changing environment? Ambio McElwaine, G., Thorstensen, S., Petersen, A. Oikos 118: 1093-1101. minor). CMS Technical Series No. 18. & AEWA 39:170-180. Wells, J. & Rees, E.C. 2007. Winter distribution of Technical Series No. 34. Bonn, Germany. Whooper Swans (Cygnus cygnus) ringed in four Trinder, M.N. & Madsen, J. 2008: Predictive Inger, R., Gudmundsson, G.A., Ruxton, G.R., geographically discrete regions in Iceland between modelling of the Svalbard Pink-footed Goose Eaton, M.A., Austin, G.E., Banks, A.N., Conway, G., Newton, J., Colhoun, K., Auhage, S. & Bearhop, S. 1988 and 2006: an update. Wildfowl 57: 98-119. Anser brachyrhynchus population: an evaluation Douse, A., Grice, P.V., Hearn, R.D., Hilton, G., 2008. Habitat utilisation during staging affects of the potential impacts of increased hunting Hoccom, D., Musgrove, A.J., Noble, D.G., body condition in a long distance migrant, O’Brien, S.H., Wilson, L.J., Webb, A. & Cranswick, pressure. Vogelwelt 129: 158–168. Ratcliffe, N., Rehfisch, M.M., Worden, J. Branta bernicla hrota: potential impacts on fitness. P.A. 2008. Revised estimate of numbers of & Wotton, S. 2007. The State of the UK’s Birds Journal of Avian Biology 39: 704-708. wintering Red-throated Divers Gavia stellata in Ward, R.M., Cranswick, P.A., Kershaw, M., Austin, G., 2006. RSPB, BTO, WWT, CCW, EHS, NE and SNH, Great Britain. Bird Study 55: 152–160. Brown, A.W., Brown, L., Coleman, J., Chisholm, H.K. Sandy, Bedfordshire. Long, P.R., Székely, T., Kershaw, M. & O’Connell, M. & Spray, C.J. 2007. Numbers of Mute Swans 2007. Ecological and human factors both drive O’Connell, M.M., Rees, E.C., Einarsson, Ó., Cygnus olor in Great Britain: results of the Eaton, M.A., Balmer, D., Burton, N., Grice, P., wildfowl population declines. Animal Conservation Spray, C.J., Thorstensen, S. & O’Halloran, J. national census in 2002. Wildfowl 57: 3-20. Hearn, R.D., Hilton, G., Leach, D., Noble, D.G., 10: 183-191. 2008. Blood lead levels in wintering and moulting Ratcliffe, N., Rehfisch, M.M., Whitehead, S. & Icelandic Whooper Swans over two decades. 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72 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 73 Mitchell, C. 2007. Little Grebe. Pp. 341-344. Pain, D. 2009. Commentary. Pp. 369-371. In: Bullock, R.J. 2007. London Wetlands Project 38th Hall, C., & Cranswick, P.A. 2009. Monitoring of In: Forrester, R., Andrews, I.J., McInerny, C.J., Watson, R. T., Fuller, M., Pokras, M., & Hunt, W.G. Progress Report: 1st January – 31st December. the UK Ruddy Duck population during ongoing Murray, R.D., McGowan, R.Y., Zonfrillo, B., (Eds.). Ingestion of Lead from Spent Ammunition: Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust report to Environment control operations: survey results winter 2008/09, Betts, M.W., Jardine, D.C. & Grundy, D.S. (Eds). Implications for Wildlife and Humans. The Agency. London, UK. 82pp. preliminary report. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust The Birds of Scotland. The Scottish Ornithologists’ Peregrine Fund, Boise, Idaho, USA. DOI 10.4080/ report to the Central Science Laboratory. Club, Aberlady. ilsa.2009.0108. 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Slimbridge, UK. 27pp. Club, Aberlady. Pain, D.J., Fisher, I.J. & Thomas, V.G. 2009. & Wetlands Trust and Veterinary Laboratories A global update of lead poisoning in terrestrial Agency report to the Department for Environment, Hall, C., Cranswick, P.A., Trinder, M.N. & Hughes, Mitchell, C. 2007. Northern Shoveler. Pp. 216-219. birds from ammunition sources. Pp. 99-118. In: Food and Rural Affairs, BTO Thetford. 165pp. B. 2008. Monitoring of the UK Ruddy Duck In: Forrester, R., Andrews, I.J., McInerny, C.J., Watson, R. T., Fuller, M., Pokras, M., & Hunt, W.G. population during ongoing control operations: Murray, R.D., McGowan, R.Y., Zonfrillo, B., (Eds.). Ingestion of Lead from Spent Ammunition: Department for Business Enterprise and survey results winter 2007/08. Wildfowl & Betts, M.W., Jardine, D.C. & Grundy, D.S. (Eds). Implications for Wildlife and Humans. The Regulatory Reform. 2007. Aerial Surveys of Wetlands Trust report to the Central Science The Birds of Scotland. 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74 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 75 Hutchins, E., Simpson, M. & Woodward, R. 2007. Mitchell, C., Walsh, A.J., Hall, C. & Crowe, O. 2008. Trinder, M., Mitchell, C. & Bowler, J. 2009. An WWT Consulting report to the Joint Nature Wigeon habitat creation at Welney: Detailed Greenland Barnacle Geese Branta leucopsis in assessment of the status of the native Greylag Conservation Committee. Slimbridge, UK. 8pp. design. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust report to the Britain and Ireland: Results of the international Goose (Anser anser) population in Scotland and Environment Agency. Slimbridge, UK. 9pp. census, spring 2008. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust an analysis of future trends based on population WWT Consulting. 2008. Aerial Survey of inshore report to Scottish Natural Heritage. Slimbridge, modelling. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust report to waterbirds in Northern Ireland, March 2008. Hutchins, E. & Woodward, R. 2007. Wigeon UK. 19pp. Scottish Natural Heritage. Slimbridge, UK. 30pp. WWT Consulting report to the Joint Nature habitat creation at Welney: Scoping consultation Conservation Committee. Slimbridge, UK. 8pp. document. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust report to Newson, S., Snow, L.C., Musgrove, A.J. & UK Government’s Darwin Initiative Guyana the Environment Agency. Slimbridge, UK. 10pp. Cranswick, P.A. 2007. Targeted surveillance Partnership. 2008. North Rupununi Adaptive WWT Consulting. 2008. Potential impacts of in Great Britain for Highly Pathogenic Avian Management Process (NRAMP) Wetlands Project.. proposed offshore windfarms on the viability of the Lee, R. & Hughes, B. 2008. Review of waterbird Influenza (H5N1) from a wild bird perspective. UK Pink-footed Goose population. WWT Consulting re-establishments in the AEWA region. AEWA Pp 97-116. In: Crick, H.Q.P., Atkinson, P.W., Ward, R.M., Cranswick, P.A., Kershaw, M., Austin, G., report to the Department of Energy and Climate MOP document 4.11. 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Distributions of Cetaceans, Areas: Common Scoters in Carmarthen Bay report to Scottish Natural Heritage. Slimbridge, in the United Kingdom. WWT Consulting report Seals, Turtles, Sharks and Ocean Sunfish recorded 1994 – 2008. CCW Marine Monitoring Report, UK. 19pp. to the Joint Nature Conservation Committee. from Aerial Surveys 2001-2008. WWT Consulting Countryside Council for Wales, Bangor. Slimbridge, UK. 12pp. report to the Department of Energy and Climate Petkov, N., Rees, E. & Solokha, A. 2009. Overview Change, London. Slimbridge, UK. 32pp. Mitchell, C. 2008. Status and distribution of of the status of the NW European population of WWT Consulting. 2007. Identification and analysis Icelandic-breeding geese: results of the 2007 the Bewick’s Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii. of external funding opportunities for wetland WWT Consulting. 2009. Marine Monitoring Project: international census. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust Wetlands International/WWT Unpubl. 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Mitchell, C., Trinder, M., Newth, J. & Griffin, L. Rees, E.C. 2009. Lough Neagh Wetlands Whooper WWT Consulting. 2008. Aerial survey of inshore 2008. The population size of breeding Greylag Swan Study: Project Report. Wildfowl & Wetlands waterbirds in , March 2008. Geese Anser anser in Scotland in 2008/09. Interim Trust report to the Irish Whooper Swan Study report. Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust report to Group. Slimbridge, UK. 68pp. Scottish Natural Heritage. Slimbridge, UK. 30pp.

76 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 77 Welney Washes WWT daveporterphotography.co.uk WWT CONSULTING

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WWTC provides a high quality, professional, specialist consultancy service on all aspects of wetlands, their wildlife and the benefits and enjoyment that wetlands can bring to people, with all profits transferred to WWT. WWTC specialises in the following areas: Ecological Surveys and Assessment – survey and analysis services for all wetland species and habitats. Habitat Design and Management – design, creation, restoration and management services for all wetland habitats. Visitor Centre Planning – master planning, design and interpretation services for natural history and heritage centres. Wetland Treatment Systems – design and WWT Consulting construction of high-performance wastewater treatment systems that maximise biodiversity.

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78 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 WWT Conservation Report, 2008-2009 79 Releasing Brazilian Mergansers following a ringing exercise Adriano Gambarini