Wildlife

Wild Wigeon Wintering Welfare

Wigeon are abundant winter visitors to UK estuaries and freshwater wetlands, grazing on aquatic vegetation with welfare dependent on undisturbed feeding areas and mild winter conditions.

Key Facts

Over 450,000 wigeon winter in the UK making them one of our most abundant winter waterfowl
They graze on aquatic vegetation in shallow water and short grass near wetlands
Inland flooding creates valuable wigeon feeding habitat in mild winters
Disturbance at key sites causes energy-costly flights that reduce body condition
Wigeon are quarry species with shooting occurring throughout the winter season

Welfare Considerations

Wigeon welfare depends on undisturbed access to aquatic vegetation through winter. Disturbance at roost and feeding sites costs energy that is critical for survival through cold spells.

What You Can Do

Support undisturbed wetland zones at key wigeon wintering sites
Record wigeon counts through WeBS and other monitoring schemes
Donate to wetland conservation organisations managing wigeon habitat
Raise awareness of waterfowl disturbance as a welfare issue in winter