Whimbrel are long-distance migrants that pass through the UK in spring and autumn. Providing safe staging habitats supports their welfare during demanding migration.
Whimbrel staging at UK estuaries need undisturbed access to intertidal feeding areas to fuel long migratory flights. Birds disturbed from feeding incur energy costs that reduce body condition at the critical spring staging period. Protecting staging estuaries from disturbance directly supports whimbrel welfare during their most energetically demanding period.