Waders are declining for all kinds of complex and overlapping reasons. We might understand specific issues in certain areas, but the same logic will not always apply everywhere. We’re acting upon the information we already have, but it’s always important to gather more data on waders to inform future research. Importantly, we need to be able to prove or quantify the significance of certain problems so that we can argue effectively for political or legislative change.

Anyone can gather data on wader declines. You don’t need a degree in ecology to support beloved birds like lapwings and curlews, and Working for Waders has been involved in the development of data-collection methods which allow farmers, gamekeepers and birders to turn their observations into valuable scientific information.

Please visit the BTO Wader Hub (www.bto.org/wader-hub) for guidance for local individuals and groups on how best to collect information on breeding waders to inform their conservation. Please also read the information on two key WfW monitoring schemes below, to see if you would like to get involved.

Approaching spring 2024, we’re running two important projects which wader enthusiasts can join and get involved with.

1. Wader Calendar

The Wader Calendar was developed in association with BTO to make it easy for farmers and other land managers to monitor wading birds on their land. A simple weekly calendar makes it easy to record simple counts per field of breeding waders observed as you go about work on the farm, as well as wader-relevant land management information

2. Nest Camera Project

The Working for Waders Nest Camera Project encourages people to remotely monitor waders during the process of incubating eggs. Recent work has generated some valuable data, highlighting not only how hard it can be for waders to hatch their eggs successfully, but also how difficult it is to monitor waders during their breeding season.

If you’re willing to help, please let us know and we can help you to make 2023 the most successful year yet!