Wildlife

Shorebird Welfare and Coastal Habitat Loss

Shorebirds including godwits, knots, and sandpipers undertake extraordinary migrations but face severe habitat loss at critical stopover and wintering sites.

Key Facts

Some godwit species fly non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand covering 12,000 km
Shorebird populations have declined over 70% in North America since the 1970s
Coastal development, drainage of wetlands, and rising seas eliminate stopover habitat
Horseshoe crab egg availability in Delaware Bay is critical for red knot survival
Climate change is shrinking Arctic breeding habitat at the poles of migration routes

Welfare Considerations

Shorebirds arriving at stopover sites depleted of food from habitat loss face life-threatening energy deficits after long flights. Red knots that cannot refuel on horseshoe crab eggs fail to reach breeding grounds in sufficient condition. Individual welfare and conservation outcomes are inseparable for these birds: protecting Delaware Bay habitat directly prevents starvation deaths.

What You Can Do

Support coastal wetland protection and restoration in your region
Advocate for limits on horseshoe crab harvesting to protect red knot food supply
Avoid disturbing shorebirds at stopover sites during migration seasons
Join citizen science shorebird monitoring programs to contribute data
Support international shorebird conservation treaties and their implementation