Wading Bird Welfare: Wetland Loss and the Plight of Curlews and Lapwings

Wading birds including curlews, lapwings, and snipe have undergone catastrophic population declines due to wetland drainage and agricultural intensification. Their welfare and conservation are inseparable.

Key Facts

Curlew has declined by 48% in the UK since the 1970s and is now considered a conservation emergency
Lapwing breeding populations have declined by 80% in lowland England since the 1960s
Wetland drainage for agriculture has eliminated over 50% of UK wetland habitat since the Second World War
Nesting waders on farmland face predation, disturbance, and loss of wet grassland feeding habitat simultaneously
Conservation grazing and wet grassland restoration have been shown to reverse wader declines where implemented
The RSPB, WWT, and other organisations run wader recovery programmes combining habitat management with nest protection

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of declining wading bird populations is closely tied to habitat quality. Birds in degraded habitats face chronic nutritional stress, failed nesting attempts, and the energetic demands of searching increasingly depleted feeding grounds. Chicks that hatch into areas without sufficient invertebrate prey die from starvation within days of hatching — a welfare harm that is invisible to most observers but widespread across degraded agricultural landscapes. Habitat restoration that supports high invertebrate abundance dramatically improves breeding success and the welfare of chick cohorts. Agricultural policy that supports wet grassland and wetland restoration is the most impactful welfare and conservation intervention for these species.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB, WWT, and other organisations conducting wading bird habitat restoration work
Advocate for agri-environment scheme funding that prioritises wet grassland restoration on farmland
Engage with landowners and farmers about the welfare and conservation benefits of wetland restoration
Visit and financially support nature reserves managing habitat specifically for breeding waders
Share the story of wading bird decline as a welfare consequence of agricultural intensification with others