The breeding season is the most vulnerable period for wild birds, and human disturbance during nesting can cause nest failure and reduced welfare for parents and chicks.
Nest failure through disturbance causes the death of eggs and chicks and the energy cost of failed breeding attempts on parent birds. Repeated disturbance can prevent breeding success across multiple seasons. Simple behavioural changes by walkers, photographers, and land managers can make a substantial difference to breeding success and individual bird welfare.