Wading Bird Conservation and Wetland Welfare

Wading birds including lapwing, curlew, and snipe have declined dramatically in the UK, with the welfare of remaining populations dependent on targeted habitat management.

Key Facts

UK curlew populations have declined by 48% since the 1990s, making the species one of the most conservation-urgent birds in Europe
Lapwing numbers on farmland have fallen by over 50% since 1970 due to agricultural intensification
Predator pressure from foxes and corvids is a significant cause of wader nest failure where habitat management is lacking
Wet grassland restoration through agri-environment schemes has demonstrated recovery of lapwing and redshank populations
Drainage of upland blanket bog for grazing has devastated curlew nesting habitat across northern England
Headstarting programs for curlew - raising chicks in captivity before release - are being trialed as population recovery tools

Welfare Considerations

Wading birds experiencing nest failure from predation or habitat loss do not suffer acutely as individuals in the immediate term, but the cumulative welfare impact of population-level failure is the elimination of populations and the suffering associated with failed nesting attempts. Curlew and lapwing are long-lived birds with complex social lives - the loss of breeding populations represents welfare harm across entire cohorts. Habitat restoration that enables successful breeding has welfare benefits for individual birds as well as population-level conservation value.

What You Can Do

Support wader-friendly farming initiatives through agri-environment scheme advocacy
Donate to RSPB and Wildlife Trusts working on wet grassland restoration
Avoid disturbing nesting waders on farmland and moorland between March and July
Advocate for higher standards of agri-environment scheme delivery for wader species
Back curlew headstarting programs and report curlew sightings to monitoring schemes