Britain’s breeding population of wading birds has collapsed due to habitat loss. For example the lapwing population in England declined by 80% between 1960 and 1998. These declines were mirrored in Somerset, but unlike many other British wetlands, the Somerset population clings on. We urgently need to improve breeding habitat around core areas to give wetland birds a more secure foothold in the landscape. This will also help birds from all over Europe which overwinter in Somerset.

Through breeding bird surveys, we have learned more about the kind of habitat species like snipe, lapwing and redshank need for breeding. With this funding we will manage water, so that levels are just right, and create new shallow pools that are good for feeding chicks. This will allow breeding populations to increase by spreading out to new areas. Shallow pools will also attract more wintering birds, making the reserves even more spectacular for the thousands of people who visit each year.