De populatie-omvang (broedparen) van enkele weidevogelsoorten in Nederland en de omringende landen

In this article the populations of 11 species which frequently breed in meadows and pastures are estimated for the Netherlands and estimations for other countries are mentioned. The results can be read in the different tables, in the last one of which the scientific names have been added. Interesting is the great density of most species in the Netherlands, compared with other countries. But also the Dutch portion of the total populations in Western and Central Europe or even Western, Central and Northern Europe is often great. Of all Ruffs (Philomachus pugnax) in Western and Central Europe with Denmark 55 Netherlands. The Dutch portion of the populations of Curlew (Numenius arquata) and Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) is high on the continent, but not if we compare with Great Britain and Ireland and Scandinavia with Finland. Of Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) and Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa) about 35% and about 90% of the populations of Western, Central and Northern Europe breeds in the Netherlands. For the Redshank (Tringa totanus) this is about 15% and even 30% for Western and Central Europe. The Dutch portion of the Northwest European population of the Shoveler is roughly estimated one third to a half, but data are less accurate. Decrease in numbers in the Netherlands is obvious for the Ruff (1954 : ± 6000, now 1250- 1500), Snipe, Garganey (Anas querquedula) and Black Tern (Chlidonias niger). This is best demonstrated in the tables of Midden-Nederland, Noord-Holland Noord- and West- Nederland. Population trends in other species are not everywhere the same. On a local scale greather fluctuations and sometimes even increase may occur. The population of the Oystercatcher still increases. The numbers in Midden-Nederland and Noord-Holland Noord are at least the double of the number of about ten years ago.