Meadow pipits are one of the most abundant upland birds in the UK but have declined in lowland areas. Understanding their welfare needs informs land management recommendations for both upland and lowland habitats.
Meadow pipit chicks exposed to late spring snow events in upland areas face hypothermia and starvation if parents cannot brood them effectively. This is a natural welfare challenge amplified by climate change, which is producing more variable spring weather. Adult pipits in intensively managed grassland face reduced invertebrate prey, compromising their ability to provision chicks.