Reduction of golden plover numbers in the Dearne Valley.

Golden plover is probably the most important species that occur in the Dearne Valley as their numbers often exceed internationally important threshold levels.

However, there has been a large percentage decrease in golden plovers using the Dearne Valley in the last few years.

A theory has been suggested that it's a direct result of the new wind turbines at Marr.
But could the reduction be due to the wet summers we have been having over this last few years? This has delayed crops being harvested and subsequently fields have not been ploughed. The consequence of unploughed fields has reduced the amount of available foraging areas for golden plovers at a time of year when golden plovers are moving into the Dearne Valley.