Snipe populations tumbled by 40% compared with spring 2010

Four UK wading bird species saw numbers fall to new lows last year, a survey has revealed. Lapwings, oystercatchers, snipe and curlew are all at their lowest numbers since the British Breeding Bird Survey of more than 100 bird species started in the early 1990s, the results for 2011 have shown. All four species suffered sharp drops in numbers compared with spring 2010, with populations tumbling by 40% for snipe (Gallinago gallinago) and by almost a fifth for oystercatchers (Haematopus ostralegus) (19%) and lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) (18%). Curlew (Numenius arquata) numbers declined by 13% between 2010 and 2011.

Source: Press Association, 24 July 2012
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