CHANGES IN THE WILDFOWL POPULATIONS WINTERING ON THE SEVERN ESTUARY

Monthly winter counts of seven major wildfowl species show that, since 1960, Bewick's swan, shelduck, wigeon, teal and pintail have signific antly increased in both the Severn and Britain as a whole; European Wh ite-fronted geese have shown no trend on the Severn but have significa ntly declined in Britain; mallard show no trend on the Severn but have increased in Britain. All except shelduck show a correlation between the trends in Britain and the Severn Estuary, while all but mallard an d pintail rank as internationally important on the Severn. In recent y ears the Severn has assumed a considerable importance for pochard and tufted ducks. The status of many species in the Severn Estuary is depe ndent on the management of key areas.