Whimbrels pass through the UK in spring and autumn migration, with their welfare at stopover sites depending on undisturbed access to mudflat feeding.
Whimbrels at spring stopover sites must fuel efficiently after a long flight from Africa and before continuing to Arctic breeding grounds. Repeated disturbance at feeding estuaries reduces the time available for this critical refuelling. Protecting key estuarine stopover habitats from disturbance during peak migration directly protects whimbrel welfare.