Monitoring data reveal significant changes in the number of meadow birds in the Netherlands. The overall yearly decline has nearly quadrupled in recent years, i.e. from 1.2% in 1990-2000 to 4.6% since 2000. All meadow birds in the monitoring scheme (Skylark Alauda arvensis, Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata, Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava, Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Common Redshank Tringa totanus, Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis en Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula) are declining since 2000. Songbirds like Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Yellow Wagtail declined up to 30% from year to year in some regions which may lead to a population drop of 75% in only five years. Particularly alarming is the steep decline of meadow birds in the western peat land of the Netherlands (with an overall annual decline of 13% since 2000). The bird decline observed since the nineties correlates well with the increasing use of imidacloprid, which was first introduced in agriculture in 1994 and is now by far the most widely used insecticide. Imidacloprid is may leach from soil and is a major surface water pollutant in the Netherlands, particularly in the western part of the country.