Migratory Bird Protection and Habitat Networks

Migratory birds face welfare threats across their entire flyway from breeding to wintering grounds, requiring international cooperation to protect the habitats they depend on.

Key Facts

Around 300 species of migratory birds regularly visit the UK, including 120 million individual birds
Migratory species face threats at every point on their flyway including hunting, trapping, and habitat loss
The East Atlantic Flyway connects Arctic breeding grounds to African wintering sites through the UK
Illegal bird trapping in Malta and Cyprus kills millions of migratory birds annually
Climate change is shifting timing of migration and affecting food availability along flyways

Welfare Considerations

Migratory birds experience exhausting journeys of thousands of miles requiring specific stopover habitats for refueling. Welfare threats along flyways include exhaustion from habitat loss forcing longer non-stop flights, illegal hunting and trapping causing injury and death, and light pollution disorienting night migrants. Climate-driven mismatches between migration timing and food availability are emerging welfare concerns. International agreements like the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) and the Ramsar Convention on wetlands provide frameworks for protection, but enforcement and implementation varies enormously between countries.

What You Can Do

Support organizations protecting stopover habitats along Atlantic Flyway migration routes
Advocate for stronger enforcement against illegal migratory bird trapping in EU member states
Reduce light pollution by turning off unnecessary outdoor lights during migration seasons
Plant native shrubs and trees providing autumn berries for refueling migratory birds
Participate in Birdwatch surveys contributing to migratory bird population monitoring