Friends of Bewl Water shares the following reports to support transparency and to share relevant, publicly available evidence relating to bird populations at Bewl Water.
These reports serve different but complementary purposes, and are presented together for clarity.
Winter Gull (Roost) Survey – 2023/24–2024/25 (WinGS)
This draft report presents the results of the Winter Gull (Roost) Survey (WinGS), a specialist national survey coordinated by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) to assess wintering gull populations at evening roost sites across the UK.
Unlike daytime counts, the Winter Gull Survey focuses on dusk roosts, where large numbers of gulls congregate, providing the most reliable method for assessing winter populations and identifying sites of national importance.
The latest survey results show that Bewl Water is one of the most important inland winter roost sites in Great Britain, supporting nationally significant numbers of Common Gull and Black‑headed Gull. Bewl Water consistently appears among the leading inland sites identified in the survey results.
The Winter Gull Survey provides site‑specific evidence and is particularly relevant to understanding the role Bewl Water plays within the wider network of important wintering bird sites.
Waterbirds in the UK 2024/25 – Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) & GSMP
This national report presents the latest findings from the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) and the Goose & Swan Monitoring Programme (GSMP), which together provide the principal long‑term monitoring of wintering waterbirds across the UK.
The report offers:
- national and country‑level population trends;
- context on the status of waterbird species, including gulls; and
- insight into the overall health of wetland habitats.
This report is not site‑specific and does not assess individual locations in detail. It is shared here for context and reference, alongside the Winter Gull Survey, as part of the wider evidence base used by statutory bodies when considering the status and management of important wetland sites.
How these reports should be read together
- The Winter Gull (Roost) Survey provides detailed, site‑specific evidence about winter gull roosts, including Bewl Water.
- Waterbirds in the UK provides the national background and population context within which individual sites sit.
Together, these reports help explain why Bewl Water is recognised as an important site for wintering birds, and why changes affecting water quality, disturbance, access or habitat require careful consideration.
