Black-tailed godwit, snipe, lapwing, ruff: distribution

Grasslands are the habitat for black-tailed godwit, snipe, lapwing and ruff. In the last 25 years these meadow birds have vanished from many places in the Netherlands.

Trends in the black-tailed godwit

A comparison with 1973-1977 shows that the black-tailed godwit has disappeared from some regions in the Netherlands, especially on the higher-lying sandy soils. The species is currently widespread in the carr peat areas, but there it is also declining.

Despite the implementation of measures such as protecting nests, the black-tailed godwit's decline, which began in the 1960s, is continuing. The decline is the result of the intensification of agriculture, specifically the higher stocking rate, the draining of grassland, the heavier applications of fertiliser and the more frequent ploughing-in of grassland.

Trends in the snipe

The snipe has vanished from many areas in the Netherlands. The national population has shrunk by 50-75% since the 1960s. Snipes nest in wet grassland. Important reasons for its dramatic decline are the draining of grassland and the high stocking rates.

Trends in the lapwing

Compared with other meadow bird species, the lapwing has disappeared from far fewer localities, but it too is in decline. Unlike other meadow birds, this bird also nests in maize fields.

Trends in the ruff

The ruff is now absent from eastern and southern Netherlands, and its numbers have also fallen in its core areas in Friesland and Noord-Holland. The decline relative to 1950 is 90%! Once again, the main reasons for the decline are drainage and the intensification of agriculture.

The black-tailed godwit, snipe and ruff are on the Red List of birds. The Netherlands is the most important breeding area for the black-tailed godwit world-wide.