Wildlife Welfare

Wild Wigeon Wetland Advanced

Wigeons are wintering ducks that depend on intertidal mudflats and freshwater wetlands for grazing and roosting. Their welfare is affected by habitat availability and human disturbance at key sites.

Key Facts

UK wigeon numbers peak in winter with hundreds of thousands arriving from Iceland and Russia
Wigeons graze on eel grass and other wetland plants in coastal and freshwater habitats
Human disturbance at roost sites forces energy-costly flights and reduces feeding time
Protected wetland sites hold the majority of wintering wigeons and are essential welfare refuges
Climate change is affecting eel grass distribution and the quality of key feeding sites

Welfare Considerations

Individual wigeons at disturbed roost or feeding sites expend energy on unnecessary flights and have reduced feeding time, compromising body condition during the critical winter period. Protected wetland sites with appropriate visitor management provide essential welfare refuges where wigeons can feed and roost without excessive disturbance. Maintaining and expanding protected wetland coverage is an important wigeon welfare priority.

What You Can Do

Respect wetland bird disturbance guidelines at key wigeon wintering sites
Support RSPB and Wildlife Trust wetland reserve management
Advocate for expanded coastal and freshwater wetland protection