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Breeding birds of saltmarshes
Breeding birds represent a major conservation interest on many saltmarshes
which can be the only suitable nesting habitat in areas of intensive agriculture.
The table below gives an indication of the nature of the habitat required and
the density that has been recorded for some species. The grazing
regime is an important factor in determining the structure of the
saltmarsh and hence the species which nest there.
Table: Habitat, geographical location and density of breeding birds
on saltmarshes in Great Britain (Cadbury et
al. 1987).
| Species |
Habitat |
Distribution |
Average Numbers |
| Tringa totanus |
Tussocky, moderately grazed mid-high marsh |
50% East Anglia / 25% north west England |
up to 100 pairs per km2 (The Wash) |
| Haematopus ostralegus |
Moderately to heavily grazed high marsh |
Highest densities in the north west |
72 pairs per km2
(The Solway) |
| Vanellus vanellus |
Grazed grassland on high marsh |
Western England & eastern Scotland |
20 per km2 |
| Larus ridibundus |
Mounds on marsh; also in Spartina islands |
Scattered large colonies |
20 000 in 1 colony
(The Ribble Estuary) |
| Alauda arvensis |
Upper grassy marsh |
Widely distributed |
up to 105 pairs per km2 |
| Emberiza schoeniclus |
Edge of marsh with tall vegetation |
Widely distributed |
up to 80 pairs per km2 |
| Anthus pratensis |
Upper grassy marsh |
Widely distributed |
up to 76 pairs per km2 |
References
Cadbury, C.J., Green, R.E. & Allport, G.
1987.
Redshanks and other Breeding Waders of British Saltmarshes.
RSPB Conservation Review, 1
RSPB., 37-40.
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