Redshank and avocet recovery in Northwest England: Predator control benefits in action

The Lytham & District Wildfowlers’ Association (LDWA) demonstrates a strong example of how locally driven conservation can significantly improve species recovery in sensitive coastal environments.

Managing around 1,000 acres of saltmarsh on the Ribble Estuary, the association combines habitat management with targeted predator control to support thriving breeding and overwintering bird populations. Notably, land managed by the club helps support breeding redshank and avocet with the Ribble Estuary having the highest breeding numbers of these species in the UK.

A key aspect of LDWA’s work is its structured approach to these management activities. The association maintains wet “flash” areas, carefully manages grazing cycles and undertakes regular bird monitoring to ensure optimal conditions for wildlife that inhabit the area.

To support breeding success, club members continue to monitor and warden the marsh throughout the breeding months, thus reducing accidental disturbance by members of the public. This balance between active management and protection has created a stable and productive ecosystem for a wide range of species.

Central to LDWA’s conservation success is its predator control programme. Ground-nesting birds such as lapwing and redshank are particularly vulnerable to predation, as their nests are exposed. To address this, trained and authorised members carry out year-round targeted predator control. By reducing predation pressure from both avian and terrestrial predators, the association has significantly improved nest success and chick survival rates for a variety of species.

Beyond the saltmarsh itself, LDWA extends its conservation efforts behind the sea wall, including on land owned by a major industrial corporation, close to club land. In these areas, the association operates a network of Larsen traps, primarily targeting corvid species known to predate eggs and chicks. These traps are carefully managed and monitored to ensure compliance and play a vital role in protecting nearby breeding sites on and surrounding the saltmarsh.

The use of technology further strengthens this approach. Trail cameras are deployed across key locations to monitor predator activity. These cameras frequently detect species such as foxes moving through the area. When predators are identified, dedicated individuals from LDWA are alerted and able to respond rapidly. This quick reaction capability is crucial during the breeding season, when even short periods of predation can have significant impacts.

Importantly, LDWA’s predator control measures are part of a broader, collaborative conservation framework. The association works alongside organisations such as Natural England and the RSPB, ensuring its activities align with wider conservation objectives. These partnerships help maintain a balance between effective management and wider biodiversity protection. The results of these combined efforts have been highly positive.

LDWA-managed land now supports some of the highest densities of breeding birds on the Ribble Estuary. Improved breeding success and increased chick survival have been directly linked to the association’s approach, particularly its effective predator control strategies. The area also continues to support large numbers of overwintering wildfowl, highlighting its importance as a year-round habitat.

The Lytham & District Wildfowlers Association demonstrates how practical, well-managed conservation can deliver a range of ecological benefits. Through habitat management, coordinated predator control, and monitoring, the association has created a highly productive environment. Its work stands as a valuable model for conservation in coastal landscapes.