The Wader Atlas aims to support the conservation of waders and
their habitats in Africa, South-west and Central Asia and
Europe. The 90 wader species in the region rely heavily on a
network of healthy wetlands for their survival. Many of these
sites are however critically endangered. “An extremely important
work, not least for the conservation of the species involved. It
really is a milestone publication (…), an impressive and
innovative compilation of numbers, distribution and the
movements of waders”, the judges stated. The information
presented in the numerous maps, tables and text articles of the
Wader Atlas were derived from a great number of sources,
including the International Waterbird Census (IWC) coordinated
by Wetlands International. This census combines the results of
waterbird counts undertaken by thousands of volunteer
birdwatchers in over 100 countries. Recognition of the work
Simon Delany, principal editor of the Atlas and waterbird
conservation specialist at Wetlands International, said “It’s