Volunteers working to protect meadow birds

The number of volunteers working to protect meadow birds is increasing, as is the area of protected meadowland.

Trends in number of volunteers

The purpose of meadow bird protection work is to protect the birds' eggs. The number of volunteers carrying out this kind of work has been increasing for several years (left-hand graph). Some 10 800 volunteers were active in 2000. The greatest efforts to protect meadow birds are in the province of Friesland. Protection work takes place in close collaboration with farmers, more than 16 500 of whom were involved in meadow bird protection schemes in 2000.

Trends in area

The area of land where meadow birds are protected by the efforts of volunteers is increasing (right-hand graph). In 2000, that area came to 333 436 hectares, an increase of approximately 2% compared to the figure for 1999.

Effects

Despite efforts to protect their eggs, meadow birds such as the black-tailed godwit and the lapwing are declining.

Technical note

The figures are taken from three umbrella organisations working to protect meadow birds: Vanellus vanellus (Lapwing), Landschapsbeheer Nederland (Landscape Management Netherlands) and the Bond van Friese Vogelbeschermingswachten (Association of Frisian Bird Protection Wardens). No data are available for 2001 due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Access to many areas of meadowland was prohibited in that year, meaning that it was not possible for members of meadow bird protection organisations to enter.

References