Fears of slumping bird numbers in south Essex have been backed by a shocking survey.
A report by the Royal Society for Protection of Birds revealed "continuing declines" in numbers of wetland birds - such as the redshank - in lowland areas.
Birdwatcher Brian Dawson, of Little Oxcroft, Laindon, said: "In Essex, it is getting bleak. I go out to the rivers a couple of times a month and the whole wildlife situation is changing here.
"There are birds we don't see as much as we used to. Some of the grebes aren't that regular and the redshank numbers are definitely down."
Mr Dawson organises public tours around estuaries at the rivers Roach and Crouch for birds and seal sightings.
The RSPB survey reveals in the last two decades, 60 per cent of snipe, 40 per cent of lapwings and 20 per cent of redshanks have disappeared - birds which used to nest on flood meadows in east England's river valleys.
Keith Crees, of Southend RSPB, blames declining bird numbers on unsustainable farming measures and shrinking wetland areas.
Published Monday, June 9, 2003
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