Although this is a Shropshire-based survey, readers may be interested in helping either of the recently-formed groups operating just across the border from Montgomeryshire.
Two Community Wildlife Groups in the west of Shropshire are about to begin the second year of their Lapwing and Curlew projects. The Tanat to Perry (TP) group covers an area immediately south of Oswestry and stretching from the Welsh border to Ruyton-XI-Towns, while the Severn-Vyrnwy Confluence (SVC) group is, unsurprisingly, centred around the rivers' confluence near Melverley.
Both groups are seeking additional volunteers to continue the fieldwork started last year. You don't need to be an expert birdwatcher to join in: Curlews and Lapwings are easy to identify, and you'll be given help to get going. The survey is straightforward and requires only three visits between late March and mid June on dates to suit you. Records of casual sightings within each group's study area are also welcomed.
Results from both groups feed into the county-wide 'Save Our Curlews' campaign led jointly by Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Shropshire Ornithological Society.
The project is motivated by the plummeting populations of these once familiar birds. In Shropshire, the breeding population of Curlew has fallen from approximately 700 pairs in 1990 to around 160 in 2010, and that of Lapwing from an estimated 3,000 pairs to only 800 over the same period; declines of 77% and 73% respectively.
The aim of this year's fieldwork is to confirm the locations of birds found in 2018 and to find any that were missed. Once we have established where these birds remain, we can work with landowners and farmers to attempt to reverse their decline.
If you're interested in taking part, or would simply like to learn more about these charismatic birds, come and meet us - you'll be sure of a warm welcome!
- Severn-Vyrnwy Confluence meeting 7.30pm Tuesday 19th February at Alberbury Village Hall
- Tanat to Perry meeting 7.30pm Tuesday 5th March at Morda Village Hall
Further information - including maps of each group's study area - at www.shropscwgs.org.uk or contact Claire Backshall on 01691 830691 or tpcwg@shropscwgs.org.uk
Picture credits: Curlew by Leo Smith; Lapwing by John Harding.
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