Poole Harbour Study Group - Important Birds of Poole Harbour

Important Birds of Poole Harbour Bryan Pickess and John Underhill-Day ISBN 0-9542349-0- I 192 pages, including 21 distribution maps, 78 tables and 19 figures Obtainable from: The Secretary, PHSG, Syldata, Arne, Dorset, BH20 5BJ Price: £25.00 (includes p + p) Brief Description This is the second publication of the Poole Harbour Study Group. The review includes:		Avocet

Brent Goose	The past and present status of wintering and passage wildfowl and waders that occur in international and nationally important numbers, and species whose peak winter populations represent over 5% of the Harbour's total peak wintering population. In addition, the Harbour's Red and Amber Listed breeding species are appraised. Also included are those breeding species, whose population represents over 1% of the national breeding population. In total 31 species meet one or more of these criteria. Analysis of seven years data of the low water WeBS counts, which is undertaken by volunteers each month, during autumn and winter in each of 31 divisions that makes up the survey area. The distribution in the Harbour of 21 important species is shown using maps to illustrate density or percentage of the population in each section of the Harbour.

This review has revealed numerous facts about the Harbour's birds and how rapidly changes can occur. Several examples to illustrate this point: in 1978 there were 930 breeding pairs of Herring Gull, now there may be only 10 pairs; until the late 1980's the Little Egret was nationally a very rare bird, now over 40 pairs breed on Brownsea Island; the Avocet, once a rare visitor, now its wintering population is present in internationally important numbers. These few examples illustrate the rapid changes that can occur.		Sandwich Tern

Black-tailed Godwits	The purpose of this review is to form a baseline by which to gauge the fortunes or misfortunes of the international and nationally important species that use Poole Harbour to breed, refuel on passage or for winter quarters.