Current status
The aquatic warbler is a regular autumn migrant to sites in southern Britain, particularly to wetlands along the south coast from Kent to Cornwall. Although there is no accurate record of numbers, it is estimated that hundreds of individuals pass through Britain each year, comprising between 1% and 25% of the world population of this globally threatened species.
The aquatic warbler is listed on Annex I of the EC Birds Directive and Appendix II of the Bern Convention.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Wetland habitat deterioration in a number of important sites where the aquatic warbler regularly occurs. During migration through Britain it has a very localised distribution and is therefore very susceptible to factors affecting even a small number of sites.
Current action
Known key passage sites are designated as nature reserves or SSSIs.
RSPB is currently assessing historic records to confirm all likely key sites.
NE promote habitat management for this species through action plans for reedbed birds.
Action plan objectives and targets
Ensure all key passage sites are, and remain, protected.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Encourage the uptake of schemes such as ESA and Countryside Stewardship to manage wetlands and watersides for the species. (ACTION: MAFF, WOAD)
Support initiatives, where appropriate and identified in the international Action Plan, which safeguard and enhance populations in other countries. (ACTION: DoE, JNCC)
Site safeguard and management
Seek to designate any sites regularly supporting qualifying numbers of warbler as SPAs. (ACTION: CCW, WO)
Seek to oppose any development proposal which would adversely affect key sites for this migrant species. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Following further research to identify the ecological requirements of this species, ensure that the needs of this species are taken into account in management plans for any SSSI used regularly by this species. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Species management and protection
Consider this species for protection under international legislation. (ACTION: CCW, DoE. NE, JNCC)
Advisory
Ensure land owners and managers with regularly occurring migratory populations are aware of the importance of their land to the species, and appropriate methods of habitat management, when known. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Future Research and Monitoring
Identify and implement a method for monitoring aquatic warbler numbers on passage through the UK. (ACTION: CCW, NE, JNCC)
Survey to identify sites which regularly hold significant numbers of aquatic warbler. (ACTION: NE)
Research habitat use and ecology of species to provide habitat management advice for regularly used sites. (ACTION: NE)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to JNCC or BRC so that it can be incorporated in national databases. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Provide information annually to Birdlife International on the UK status of the species to contribute to maintenance of an up-to-date global red list. (ACTION: JNCC)
Communications and Publicity
No action proposed.
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report - Volume II: Action Plans (December 1995, Tranche 1, Vol 2, p96)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species