Dry summer hits migrating birds

RSPB warden Ian Barthorpe says it has been one of the driest years on record

A coastal reserve where migrating birds stop over in the autumn is drying out because of low summer rainfall.

Marshes and lagoons at the Orford Ness reserve in Suffolk have been left with very little water.

The National Trust, who owns the site, estimate two weeks of solid rain is needed to replenish levels needed by migrating waders, ducks and geese.

Suffolk had 5.35ins (128.3mm) of rain between June and August. The driest summer on record saw 5ins (120.2mm).

"It's thought that the combination of this summer's low rainfall, as well as bright and breezy days increased evaporation," Stuart Warrington, nature conservation advisor for the National Trust, said.

"This has led to the brackish lagoons - a mixture of fresh and salt water - on Orford Ness reaching critically low levels.

Conservation status amber

"Created from former airfields on this secret military testing site, the lagoons have become vital habitats for thousands of autumn migrants that stop off here during September and October.

"It's feared that this drought will result in some of Orford's notable autumn visitors having to find somewhere else to fill up on their long passage south.

"Those that will be affected include common and green sandpiper, ringed plover and little ringed plover, as well as redshank and greenshank.

"These birds are generally migrating from Scotland and northern England at this time of year, joining those that are already resident in Suffolk.

"Then in late autumn, winter visitors such as teal, wigeon and pintail would normally start to arrive, all of which are currently on amber conservation status, as many are noted to be in decline," Mr Warrington said.