Wader populations on the non-estuarine coasts of Britain and Northern Ireland: results of the 1984–85 Winter Shorebird Count

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Abstract
The wintering wader populations of the non-estuarine coasts of Britain, the Isle of Man, the Channel Isles and Northern Ireland were surveyed in December 1984 and January 1985. The total length of such coasts is 13525 km, compared with 4315 km of estuarine shores. Approximately 90% of the non-cliff shores outside the estuaries was surveyed and almost 300000 waders of 19 species were recorded. The highest densities were found around the Irish Sea, NE England and SE Scotland, while very low densities were recorded for much of south and SE England, the Shetland Islands, and the mainland west coast of Scotland. Oystercatchers, Curlews, Turnstones, Dunlins and Redshanks were the most abundant species. With the exception of Dunlins, these were also the most frequently encountered species. The effects of the severe weather which occurred during the latter half of the survey were analysed using repeat counts. There were no detectable effects on the populations of Oystercatchers, Ringed Plovers, Turnstones, Curlews, Knots and Purple Sandpipers. Grey Plovers, Golden Plovers and Dunlins increased in density across the whole country on non-estuarine shores during the cold period, while Lapwings, Bar-tailed Godwits, Redshanks and Sanderlings showed more complex regional patterns. Non-estuarine coasts may, therefore, be important refuges for some species during severe weather.