Shorebird Roost Protection and Welfare

High-tide roosts where shorebirds rest when feeding areas are covered are critical welfare resources that require protection from disturbance to maintain bird condition and migration success.

Key Facts

Shorebirds must maintain fat reserves for long migrations — disturbance from roosts depletes energy budgets
High-tide roosts concentrate thousands of birds in small areas making them particularly vulnerable to disturbance
Dogs off-lead flush roosts, burning energy reserves and potentially preventing adequate rest
Urban development has eliminated many traditional roost sites, increasing pressure on remaining sites
Waders disturbed from roosts show measurably poorer body condition affecting migration and breeding success

Welfare Considerations

Shorebird roost welfare is connected directly to individual bird condition and ultimately to survival. A wader repeatedly flushed from its high-tide roost cannot rest adequately or maintain the fat reserves needed for migration. Each disturbance burns energy that must be replaced through additional feeding. During severe weather or peak migration preparation, disturbance can be fatal by preventing adequate energy accumulation. The welfare protection is straightforward: maintaining appropriate human and dog exclusion zones around roost sites during the periods when birds are present. Volunteer wardening programs that engage visitors with educational information have demonstrated effectiveness at reducing disturbance without enforcement.

What You Can Do

Keep dogs on leads in areas with shorebird roost signs and maintain appropriate distances
Support coastal conservation organizations that protect and manage critical roost sites
Volunteer with shorebird monitoring and wardening programs during roost periods
Report persistent disturbance of roost sites to coastal wildlife authorities
Advocate for roost site designation and legal protection as key wildlife areas