Wildlife

Dunlin Arctic Breeding Welfare and Climate

Dunlin breed in Arctic tundra and Scottish uplands, with climate change altering the timing and abundance of invertebrate food critical for chick survival.

Key Facts

Dunlin are among the most abundant arctic-breeding waders globally
UK breeding population confined mainly to Outer Hebrides and Flow Country bogs
Chick food timing must match invertebrate emergence, which is shifting with warming
Long migrations from breeding to wintering grounds expose birds to multiple threats
UK wintering dunlin declined by 27% between 1975 and 2020

Welfare Considerations

Climate mismatch between chick hatching and peak invertebrate availability is an emerging welfare and population concern. Birds that cannot rear chicks successfully suffer wasted reproductive effort after long migrations.

What You Can Do

Support peatland restoration in Scottish uplands for dunlin habitat
Advocate for strong climate action to protect arctic breeding conditions
Participate in WeBS counts of wintering dunlin at estuaries
Fund research into dunlin breeding ecology and climate adaptation