Golden plovers breed on upland moors and need careful management to maintain suitable habitat. Their welfare is affected by predation, human disturbance, and changes in upland management practices.
Individual golden plovers nesting on disturbed or heavily predated moors face nest failure that is directly welfare-costly for eggs and chicks. Human disturbance causing nest abandonment exposes eggs and chicks to weather and predation. Dog control on upland moorland during the breeding season and appropriate upland management that maintains diverse prey habitats directly improves individual golden plover welfare.