Wildlife

Wild UK Upland Birds Climate Change

How climate change is affecting upland bird species in the UK through altered prey availability, weather events, and habitat change.

Key Facts

Upland areas are warming faster than UK lowland averages under climate change
Ptarmigan and dotterel are showing range contraction as suitable cold upland habitat shrinks
Snow bunting winter visitors are declining as European breeding populations struggle
Breeding wader chick rearing is affected by altered insect emergence timing under warming conditions
Peatland restoration provides some climate resilience for upland bird communities

Welfare Considerations

Individual upland birds face welfare challenges from climate-driven habitat loss, food web disruption, and extreme weather events. Species at the margins of their climatic range face increasing survival stress as conditions move outside their tolerance range.

What You Can Do

Support peatland restoration as climate resilience for upland bird communities
Record upland bird sightings to contribute to range change monitoring
Advocate for ambitious climate action as the fundamental long-term welfare intervention