March webflash

World’s waterbirds in decline

A Rocha France make regular counts of waterbirds, such as Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) at the Ilon Marsh, Provence, enabling them to monitor local habitat and population changes, and also contribute to the global picture for each species.

Wetlands International have released their fourth Waterbird Population Estimate demonstrating that nearly half the world’s waterbird species are in decline. At a global level, 44% are decreasing, 34% are stable and 17% are increasing. 15,000 fieldworkers, including some A Rocha team members, have taken part in the annual January counts that provide the data.

A Rocha Kenya co-ordinate these counts for all the major wetlands in the Malindi-Watamu area. This year the team of A Rocha staff, volunteers and Arabuko-Sokoke Forest Guides counted a total of 70,685 birds. Rarities (for the area) included a Common Redshank Tringa totanus and about 70 Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa.

Since 2001 A Rocha France have monitored waterbirds weekly at the Ilon Marsh, an exceptional wetland of 70 ha in the foothills of Les Baux de Provence. The main trend has been a decline in both wintering and breeding species. Mallard Anas platyrhynchos for example, have dropped by 50%. However, the value of the site remains high: herons and egrets of five species regularly try to establish a small breeding colony as well as a nocturnal roost of up to 400 birds. One, a Great White Egret Egretta alba, was found carrying a ring, demonstrating that it had hatched in the Po Delta, in Italy.

A Rocha France’s eco-consulting activities with private landowners have led to the restoration of 53 ha of wetlands where Purple Heron Ardea purpurea, Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus and many other waterbirds are now breeding. In partnership with the Parc naturel régional des Alpilles, A Rocha France is also leading a promising participatory wetland restoration project affecting the whole ancient floodplain of 1500 ha. A Rocha teams in South Africa, Lebanon, Portugal and Canada are also working to monitor and protect vitally important wetlands.

New job vacancies

A Rocha teams in the USA, the UK, South Africa, Portugal and Lebanon are looking for new team members. Could you be the person they need? Read more.