Welfare of Migratory Birds During Autumn Hunting Season

Migratory birds face hunting pressure across their flyways during autumn migration, with welfare impacts varying dramatically by species, shooting method, and regulatory framework.

Key Facts

An estimated 25 million migratory birds are legally shot each year across Europe, with additional illegal killing documented
Wounding rates in waterfowl hunting are estimated at 20-40%, meaning many birds die slowly from injury rather than immediate kill
Lead shot from hunting ammunition contaminates wetland habitats, causing secondary poisoning in waterfowl and raptors
The Mediterranean is a bottleneck for migratory birds where illegal killing of millions of birds annually is documented
Spring hunting of migratory species is banned under the EU Birds Directive but persists illegally in Malta and Cyprus
Steel shot alternatives to lead reduce secondary poisoning but require proper equipment and technique to achieve humane kills

Welfare Considerations

Migratory bird hunting creates welfare harm both through direct injury and through the toxicological cascade of lead ammunition contamination. Birds that are wounded but not retrieved may die slowly from haemorrhage, infection, or starvation over hours to days. Illegal killing of protected species adds welfare harm without even the regulatory mitigation that legal hunting involves. Welfare improvement requires mandatory non-toxic shot requirements enforced with meaningful penalties, closed seasons that protect peak migration periods, and crackdown on illegal trapping and shooting at Mediterranean bottlenecks.

What You Can Do

Advocate for mandatory non-toxic shot requirements in all waterfowl hunting jurisdictions
Support organisations monitoring and documenting illegal migratory bird killing in the Mediterranean
Report suspected illegal bird trapping or shooting to relevant authorities
Engage with hunting organisations that support sustainable and welfare-conscious hunting practices
Support BirdLife International and national equivalents working on migratory bird protection