Wild Birds

Wetland Waders: Habitat and Welfare

Wading birds like lapwing, redshank, and snipe are declining rapidly across the UK due to wetland loss, with welfare impacts across their populations.

Key Facts

Lapwing populations declined by 80% in the UK between 1960 and 2010
Drainage of wet grassland for intensive agriculture destroyed most lowland wader habitat
Predator management on nature reserves significantly increases wader breeding success
The Wet Grazing initiative has successfully restored wader habitat on farmland
Curlews are now one of the most at-risk bird species in Europe

Welfare Considerations

Wader chicks that hatch on drained farmland face immediate food shortages as wet invertebrate communities disappear. Adults on heavily drained farmland spend more energy foraging for scarce prey. Nest failures from predation cause repeated breeding attempts that deplete condition. Population declines mean surviving individuals are increasingly isolated, reducing breeding options and genetic diversity.

What You Can Do

Support wet grassland restoration schemes and agri-environment options
Advocate for baseline wader monitoring on all lowland farms
Back predator management on nature reserves to boost breeding success
Join local wader monitoring surveys to contribute population data
Support organisations like the Curlew Country project and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust