Wildlife

Wild Snipe Boggy Habitat Welfare

Snipe breed in boggy upland and lowland grassland, probing soft ground for earthworms with their flexible bill tips.

Key Facts

Snipe declined by 75% in England between 1970 and 2015
Soft wet ground is essential for probing feeding technique
Drained grassland has eliminated most lowland snipe habitat
Upland populations depend on wet flushes and boggy moorland
Wet grassland restoration has benefited lowland snipe populations

Welfare Considerations

Snipe unable to probe wet ground cannot find food effectively. Drainage eliminates their feeding habitat entirely. Upland peat restoration and lowland wet grassland management create the conditions snipe require.

What You Can Do

Support upland peat restoration and lowland wet grassland management
Donate to conservation managing snipe habitat
Advocate for wet grassland agri-environment schemes