2024, Kent Wildlife Trust, Marine Internships, Wetland Bird Survey

Using data from the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), this exploratory analysis used General Additive Models to create population indices, from which trends in percentage change of relative population size were calculated. This identified long-term declines in the majority of sites surrounding the Greater Thames Estuary, along the north Kent and Essex Coastlines. This will help demonstrate vulnerable sites and high-impact external pressures, which in turn can help identify priority restoration sites. Overall, the results suggest strong application opportunities for the use of Dark-Bellied Brent Geese as environmental indicators. The following report was produced as part of the Coast Explorer Internship; a collaborative project between Adonis Blue Environmental Consultant (Kent Wildlife Trust), The Crown Estate, Vattenfall, and the Canterbury City Council, which is funded by The Crown Estate and managed by Adonis Blue Environmental Consultant.