Global warming and dramatic climate changes are drastically reducing the number of geese that migrate to Gloucestershire each year, it is claimed.

A spokesman for the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge says he fears its human visitor numbers could drop as a result of the changes.

Dr James Robinson, of the trust said he feared decreasing numbers of migratory white-fronted geese flocks could lead to decreasing visitor numbers at the centre.

Dr Robinson said the Severn Estuary was attractive to the birds which had been coming to the area for years.

He said not only were numbers decreasing, but those that did come were leaving earlier than previously as a result of the mild winters caused by global warming.

There had been a 79 % decline overall, in the numbers of white-fronted geese visiting Slimbridge, he said.

The nearby National Birds of Prey centre, near Newent, recently announced its closure as a result of increasing costs.