Lapwing numbers are on the up

Latest figures from The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs shows that lapwings, avocets, owls and geese are all on the increase.

"It is good to see the graph flattening out at last," Environment Minister Elliot Morley commented.

"There are still some worrying declines such as Turtle Dove and Corn Bunting."

Defra funds schemes

"So we must continue our efforts to address the underlying problems," he commented.

Latest figures from The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs show UK wild bird populations were 6% higher in 2003 than they were in 1970.

In Essex, the Tendring and District Wildfowlers have created wet areas on their land in Beaumont, which have already proved popular with avocets. They received Defra funding for the scheme.

In Norfolk, the Raveningham Estate has converted nearly 30 acres of former arable field into grazing marsh through funding which has provided a habitat for lapwings, avocets and redshank.

So we must continue our efforts to address the underlying problems Environment Minister Elliot Morley

The Stody Estate, near Holt, has seen an increase in the number of barn owls.

Funding has been used to create larger grass margins, which create additional habitat for the small mammals and provide part of the owls' diet.

In Suffolk, Mutton Hall Farm, in Wetherden, near Bury St Edmunds, has received CS funding to create habitats, which will encourage skylarks, barn owls and green woodpeckers.

The RSPB's Hope Farm in Cambridgeshire manages its hedgerows to encourage winter berries under CS which provides a vital food source for birds such as the redwing.

Church Farm, in Dunton, Beds has received funding to manage the farm to create additional food sources and nesting areas for birds such as the lapwing.

And in Northants, Gretton farmer Austin Clark at West Hill Farm has been putting his efforts into attracting lapwings onto his site by providing them with over three hectares of overwintered stubble.

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS) offers payments to farmers and land managers to improve the natural beauty and diversity of the countryside.

It is operated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).