Curlew Sandpiper Welfare and Passage Migration

The curlew sandpiper is a passage migrant through Britain en route from its Siberian breeding grounds to African wintering areas, with each bird representing a remarkable journey and welfare considerations across a vast flyway.

Key Facts

Curlew sandpipers breed on the Taimyr Peninsula of Siberia and winter in sub-Saharan Africa
Numbers passing through Britain vary dramatically between years, linked to breeding success in Russia
Adults in autumn show traces of the stunning brick-red breeding plumage gradually replaced by grey winter feathers
Juveniles, which look fresh and scaly, predominate in autumn and are often seen at freshwater scrapes and coastal pools
They feed by probing shallow water and mudflats for small invertebrates using their distinctly drooped bill tip

Welfare Considerations

Curlew sandpiper welfare during British passage depends on the availability of shallow freshwater scrapes and coastal pools where birds can refuel during their journey. The loss of suitable wetland habitats in Britain reduces the staging capacity available to passage migrants. The species breeding success in Siberia is linked to lemming cycles that affect predator abundance, creating boom-and-bust passage years. Long-distance migrants passing through multiple countries face cumulative threats across the flyway including habitat loss and hunting.

What You Can Do

Support creation and management of shallow scrape habitats at wetland reserves along the east coast
Contribute curlew sandpiper records to BTO BirdTrack during August and September passage
Advocate for wetland restoration that creates passage migrant staging habitat along flyway routes
Back JNCC and Natural England coastal wetland protection programs
Engage with international conservation to protect key staging areas along the East Atlantic Flyway