Wildlife

Wild Animal Welfare and UK Upland Bird Monitoring 2026

Upland bird monitoring programs in 2026 provide welfare and conservation data essential for managing populations of curlews, golden plovers, and dunlins.

Key Facts

UK upland bird monitoring involves over 500 survey plots across moorland and montane habitats
Curlew numbers have declined by 65% in the UK with monitoring identifying breeding success limitations
Golden plover are sensitive to human disturbance during breeding, requiring monitored buffer zones
Dunlin populations depend on functioning blanket bog habitat that monitoring helps protect
Citizen science upland bird monitoring is growing through BTO Upland Bird Survey programs

Welfare Considerations

Upland bird monitoring provides the welfare and conservation intelligence needed to protect declining species. Participating in monitoring is a direct welfare contribution.

What You Can Do

Participate in BTO upland bird monitoring programs
Respect exclusion zones around monitored breeding sites
Support organisations funding upland bird monitoring and conservation