Loss of roost sites through development and disturbance reduce the winter survival of water birds and affect their breeding condition in the following spring. The continued availability of safe, secure roosting sites becomes even more important as other threats to the Severn’s water birds increase.

In conjunction with the RSPB and local Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) counters, A Forgotten Landscape launched the Coming Home to Roost project. An enthusiastic team of local volunteers monitored water bird numbers at high tide roosts, recording seasonal changes in the numbers of all species and noting levels of human disturbance at each roost site.

Participants had a chance to increase their knowledge and skills in the identification of wildfowl and waders and gain an understanding of the importance of the estuary and the conservation needs of its waterbirds.

The project aimed to develop a new generation of bird-watchers in the locality and a pool of trained volunteers able to continue the work.

Data was supplied to the project team, the RSPB and the Bristol Regional Environmental Records Centre (BRERC).