Wild Curlew Sandpiper: Migratory Welfare Stopover Sites

Curlew sandpipers and other long-distance migratory waders depend on a chain of stopover sites along their flyway where welfare during the critical refuelling period is determined by food availability and disturbance.

Key Facts

Curlew sandpipers breed in Siberia and migrate to Africa and Australia, stopping at key intertidal sites
UK estuaries serve as important refuelling stops for migratory waders in spring and autumn
Weight gain at stopover sites must be sufficient to complete the next migratory leg safely
Human disturbance of roosting wader flocks at high tide forces energy-costly flights during rest periods
Intertidal habitat loss from sea level rise and development threatens stopover site quality
International flyway conservation connects welfare conditions across countries on migration routes

Welfare Considerations

Migratory wader welfare at stopover sites is a welfare issue that crosses international boundaries. A curlew sandpiper disturbed repeatedly at a UK estuary stopover may fail to reach the weight needed for safe onward migration to Africa, dying mid-journey or arriving in poor condition. The cumulative welfare impact of multiple disturbances at multiple stops along a flyway determines individual survival. International flyway conservation that protects key stopover sites from development and minimises disturbance is directly a welfare intervention for individual birds making extraordinary journeys.

What You Can Do

Support international flyway conservation partnerships protecting migratory wader stopover sites
Maintain respectful distances from roosting wader flocks at estuaries and coastal wetlands
Advocate for protection of intertidal habitat from development along key migration flyways
Donate to BTO and RSPB international wader conservation programmes
Report large wader concentrations to local bird recorders to contribute to population monitoring