Eider ducks are coastal sea ducks whose welfare is shaped by mussel availability and disturbance at nesting and moulting sites.
Eider females disturbed from nests during incubation abandon eggs to chilling and predation. Colony nest sites must be protected from disturbance during the nesting season. Moulting flocks of males need quiet water areas to complete their wing moult safely. Protecting key island nesting sites from predators and visitors directly benefits eider welfare.