Wildlife

Wild Wigeon Breeding Ecology

Wigeon breeding ecology on Scottish and northern upland wetlands requires specific habitat conditions that have been reduced by drainage and agricultural change.

Key Facts

Breeding wigeon in the UK are concentrated in Scotland with smaller populations in northern England
Upland bog and loch edges provide preferred nesting habitat with adjacent grazing grassland
Ducklings require aquatic invertebrates in the first weeks after hatching
Predator pressure from foxes and corvids is a primary cause of nest failure
UK breeding wigeon population has declined as upland drainage has reduced suitable habitat

Welfare Considerations

Wigeon ducklings that cannot access sufficient invertebrate food in their first weeks face starvation that reduces survival to fledging. Nest failure from predation causes the energy cost of re-nesting or complete breeding failure after the investment of territory establishment and incubation. Maintaining and restoring upland wetland habitats with appropriate hydrology provides the food resources and cover needed for successful wigeon breeding.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and Wildlife Trust upland wetland restoration programmes
Advocate for agri-environment schemes protecting and restoring upland breeding wader habitat
Report breeding wigeon sightings to contribute to population monitoring