During December 2004, February 2005 and March 2005, the JNCC conducted aerial surveys of wintering aggregations of seaducks, divers and grebes within a number of UK inshore areas. The aim of the surveys was to collect data on the wintering numbers and distribution of inshore waterbirds in areas of the UK known to be important for this group of species. The surveys were carried out as part of the JNCC annual programme of surveillance of wintering inshore waterbirds in the UK.