Wetland Bird Survey publications and results

Wetland Bird Survey publications and results

WeBS Annual Report: Waterbirds in the UK

National waterbird monitoring started in 1947, and reports in various guises have been produced covering every year since then, containing population changes and other results from the scheme. 

Historical reports:

  • Annual reports for every year back to 1969/70 can be downloaded.
  • A selection of National Wildfowl Counts reports from the 1940s and 1950s are available.

Waterbirds in the UK

Today, the WeBS annual report Waterbirds in the UK is published each spring and comprises a summary report and statistics, maps and plots accessible through an online interface.

WeBS Annual Report

WeBS Newsletter: Waterbirdnews

Waterbirdnews is the annual newsletter of the Wetland Bird Survey and the Goose & Swan Monitoring Programme (GSMP), both of which monitor internationally important waterbird populations across the UK. 

It is produced in the autumn to give counters updates on what has been going on, primarily in WeBS and GSMP, but also in the wider world of waterbird conservation. 

  • The latest issue of the WeBS Newsletter is available to browse online.
  • Previous issues are also available to download.
WeBS Newsletter: Waterbirdnews

WeBS Periodic Reports: WeBS Alerts

The WeBS Alerts Report is produced every three years to monitor changes in the numbers of wintering waterbirds in the Constituent Countries of the United Kingdom, Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

WeBS Alerts results are now available to browse online and are also published as a standalone document.

WeBS Periodic Reports: WeBS Alerts

Other publications

Estuarine Waterbirds at Low Tide

Estuarine Waterbirds at Low Tide is a summary of the results achieved from the first seven winters of the WeBS Low Tide Counts (1992–93 to 1998–99). 

Scientific publications

A selected list of publications that involve WeBS data, including peer-reviewed scientific papers and BTO Research Reports.

WeBS Leaflets

WeBS has an informative leaflet aimed at introducing WeBS and encouraging volunteers to take part.