This study identified 35 high-tide waterbird roost sites between Brean Down and Clevedon on the Severn Estuary. The roost sites support a variety of waterbird species and were characterized based on habitat, bird composition, and existing disturbance. The results of the study will be used to inform plans for the England Coast Path and the Severn Estuary Wintering Wader Refuge Area Plan to protect important roost sites for waterbirds in the region. Natural England has commissioned additional studies to identify roost sites between Clevedon and Oldbury and in Bridgwater Bay.

1. Identification of wintering
waterbird high tide roosts on the
Severn Estuary (Brean Down to
Clevedon)
Katie Clark
Severn Estuary Team
Somerset, Avon and Wiltshire

2. The Severn Estuary European Marine Site
The Estuary supports a
wide range of habitats
and species of
International importance
for nature conservation,
and is designated as:
SAC
SPA
Ramsar
SSSI
http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/3977366

3. The Severn Estuary SPA features

4. WeBs data
• Natural England uses WeBS data for site
management and in Habitats Regulation
Assessments to determine whether a proposed
development plan or project could result in
impacts on SPA features.
• WeBS data is assigned to sectors as a whole,
and not to the individual roost site.

5. The High Tide Roost Study
• Natural England commissioned James Latham
(an independent Ecological Consultant) to
carry out a study to:
• (a) identify the locations of any waterbird high
tide roost sites between Brean Down and
Clevedon; and
• (b) characterise the habitat(s), waterbird
composition and any existing sources of
human disturbance associated with each roost
site.

6. Study Area
The study area was sub-divided into four
sectors:
• Brean Down to Anchor Head
• Anchor Head to Sand Point
• Sand Point to the River Yeo confluence
• The River Yeo confluence to Clevedon
14401
13402
14402
14404
14413
14412
14403
14406
14408
14409
14411
14415

7. Methods
Waterbird and roost data was collected
from the following sources:
• WeBS core count (ie, high tide) data
supplied by the BTO;
• interviews with the WeBS counters for
the study area;
• Individual site visits with the WeBs
counter to each of the sectors within the
study area.

8. Results
35 high-tide waterbird roost sites
were identified by this study:
• 20 (57%) support mixed
flocks of waterbirds
• 9 (26%) support waders only
• 3 (8.5%) support wildfowl
only
• 3 (8.5%) support gulls only

9. Results

10. Results
Description of
Habitat/Feature/
SPA
QS
SPA
QA
SSSI
Substrate
Shelduck  L  20-50 100 Possible
Dunlin  L  10-200 100 Possible
Redshank  L  100-200 100 Yes
Wigeon L  Oct-20 100 -
Teal L 20-50 100 -
Knot N-L  01-Oct 50 -
Black-tailed
godwit
N-L 01-May 50 -
Bar-tailed
godwit
N-L 0-3 10 -
Dunlin  L  10-200 50 Possible
Redshank  L  100-200 50 Yes
Mallard N-L 20-50 100 -
Dunlin  L  May-20 75 No
Ringed plover L  May-20 75 -
Sanderling N-L 0-6 Variable -
Shelduck  L  Oct-20 100 No
Dunlin  L  Oct-20 50-75 No
Redshank  L  100-200 50-75 Yes
Teal L Oct-50 100 -
1F
ST 31190
57210
Mixed
waterbird
Saltmarsh Possible
1D
ST 33820
58290
Mixed
waterbird
Saltmarsh
margins (all
species) and
open water
(mallard only)
Possible
1E
ST 31000
58630
Wader Sandflats Possible
Percentage
presence at
roost site (%)
2
SPA
Primary
Roost
3
Significant
Existing
Disturbance
4
1C
ST 33630
58490
Mixed
waterbird
Saltmarsh and
associated
creek/channel
Possible
Roost
ID
Grid
Referenc
e
Roost
Type
Species
Composition
Status
Number
of birds1

11. How is this report being used?
• The report has improved our evidence base
for the SPA features in this area, and has so
enabled us to give more tailored advice to
proposed plans or projects in this area
In particular we will use the data to inform:
• the route of the proposed England coast path
along this stretch
• The Severn Estuary Wintering Wader Refuge
Area Plan and/or other Mitigation Measures
for potentially disturbing activities.

12. Future Work
Natural England have just commissioned the
next two phases of the study
• Clevedon to Oldbury
• Bridgwater Bay
• We are also linking in with the The ‘Coming
Home to Roost Project’, part of ‘A
Forgotten Landscape – Restoring the
Heritage of the Lower Severn Vale Levels’
partnership. Further information is available
at http://www.aforgottenlandscape.org.uk/.

13. For more information please contact:
Katie Clark katie.clark@naturalengland.org.uk
Colin Leppard colin.leppard@naturalengland.org.uk