Status of breeding Dotterel Charadrius morinellus in Britain in 1999: A minimum of 220 male Dotterel nested in Britain in 1999, which after correction for missed birds led to an estimated 630 breeding males.

Aims To provide a reliable population estimate of Dotterel against which past and future estimates could be compared. Methods Over half of the potential breeding habitat in Britain, selected randomly and to cover protected sites and former breeding sites for Dotterel, was surveyed through a single visit when Dotterel had young chicks. Results After correcting for missed birds, 750 males were estimated to be breeding in Britain in 1999. An alternative method led to an estimated 510 males. Both methods had their drawbacks – 630 males probably represented the best estimate. Almost 93% of males bred in three regions: central, east and north Highlands. Around a third of surveyed sites were occupied by breeding birds. The national population estimate was significantly higher in 1987/88 but numbers were probably greatest in 1989 and declined in the 1990s. In 1999 Dotterel distribution had contracted to those sites with the highest densities in the late 1980s. Conclusion It is unlikely that changes in numbers bet...