Waders are amongst the most defenceless birds in Britain. They nest on open ground so they can see their enemies coming. Ironically, this makes them sitting targets as it leaves them vulnerable to attack from other birds and predators. Sadly, their vulnerability means that waders are becoming an increasingly rare sight in the British countryside.

But despite this worrying decline, there is still time to save the wader. Research shows that the best chance of wader survival is on managed land where the numbers of predators, such as stoats, weasels and foxes, are managed. For example, at Otterburn, in Northumberland, a major scientific experiment is currently taking place to discover the best way of protecting ground-nesting birds. It compares the numbers of waders living on keepered and unkeepered land. Now in its eighth and final year, the results of this project show that waders have an increased chance of survival and successful breeding on managed land. We’ll keep you posted as and when the final results are published.

The main cause of wader loss in lowland areas has been drainage and disturbance of wetland habitat, and intensification of farming methods. In some marginal and upland areas such as Wales, afforestation and the loss of traditional grouse management on the moors have also contributed to a disastrous decline in the numbers of waders . Even on a flagship RSPB reserve such as Lake Vyrnwy in the Berwyn Mountains, all breeding pairs of Golden plover have been lost and Curlews were down to just two pairs in 2003.

Managing predators, though not eliminating them, is vital for the survival of waders and it benefits many other breeds of bird which are also at risk.

Waders are the birds that get bullied in the playground and who no one else is standing up to protect. We are fighting for their survival. We need to act now before it really is too late to save the wader.