Using Adult/juvenile Ratios of Waders in Winter Cannon Net Catches in Britain and Ireland to Measure Recruitment

The UK is of international importance for waders. Although relatively few species of waders breed here, many more are present during passage and in the winter.

For such migratory species, the UK has obligations to protect both the birds and their habitat.

The UK is a signatory to a number of international conservation conventions.

Of particular importance in the context of waders are the EC Birds Directive, the EU Habitats and Species Directive and the 'Ramsar' convention on Wetlands of International Importance.

This legislation requires the UK to identify habitats and sites important for birds and designate them for protection; as part of this it is essential to monitor populations to identify, and then monitor, important sites.

In addition, the UK has ratified the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) of the 'Bonn' Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

AEWA requires countries to conserve migratory waterbirds, identify sites and habitats used and ensure they are protected and managed appropriately.

Again, to fulfil these obligations, the populations must be monitored.