Wildlife

Wild Whimbrel UK Decline Welfare

Whimbrel populations passing through the UK on migration have declined significantly, with habitat loss at stopover sites and hunting on migration routes both contributing to welfare problems.

Key Facts

Spring whimbrel counts at key UK sites have fallen 50% since the 1990s
Portuguese and Spanish coastal sites are critical spring staging areas for UK-passing whimbrels
Whimbrel are hunted legally in the Faroe Islands with up to 50,000 killed annually
UK stopover habitat including coastal grassland has declined from agricultural improvement
The Whimbrel tracking project has revealed previously unknown migration routes

Welfare Considerations

Whimbrel welfare is affected at multiple points in their migration cycle. Reducing hunting mortality and protecting stopover habitat are the most urgent welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Support campaigns opposing whimbrel hunting on migration routes
Record whimbrel at coastal sites through spring migration monitoring
Donate to tracking projects revealing whimbrel migration route welfare threats
Advocate for coastal grassland protection at key UK stopover sites