Rare birds flourishing at Staffordshire nature reserve
Rare birds which are suffering massive decline across the UK are flourishing at a nature reserve in Staffordshire.
After carrying out a number of bird surveys, the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust has announced species including oystercatcher, lapwing and redshank are living and continuing to breed at Croxall Lakes near Alrewas.
All three species are in decline across the country, with the lapwing's breeding population having fallen by more than 40 per cent in the last 18 years. According to figures from the British Trust for Ornithology, the redshank has declined by more than 60 per cent in the last 35 years. As a result, the bird has been put on the 'red list' by the RSPB for its rarity.
Monitoring officer at the charity, Scott Petrek, said it was wonderful to find out the species are breeding at the Staffordshire reserve.
"Recent publications from the British Trust for Ornithology shows alarming declines for many bird species in the UK, with numbers for some wetland species dropping by almost 70 per cent over the last 20 years," said Mr Petrek.
"The main species that have been found are the lapwing – the breeding population of which has gone down by 41 per cent since 1995.
"It is, however, very difficult to work out exactly how many birds there are. No survey will ever get every bird. Previously, habitats for these birds would have been farmland and wetlands, but they are now becoming a much rarer sight across the county.
"This is because over the years, many of their habitats have been destroyed by development and differing farming techniques."
Mr Petrek added the charity will now be working on the 107-acre site to ensure the best habitats are provided at the reserve.
