Wildlife

Wild Wigeon Conservation in Scotland

Scotland holds the majority of the UK's small breeding wigeon population, with conservation dependent on upland loch and bog habitat protection.

Key Facts

Over 95% of UK breeding wigeon are in Scotland, primarily in the highlands and islands
Breeding success depends on invertebrate-rich shallows adjacent to nesting areas
Drainage of upland bogs and lochs has reduced available breeding habitat significantly
Predator pressure from mink has negatively impacted wigeon at some lowland sites
Hen harriers and other raptors are natural predators of wigeon ducklings in upland areas

Welfare Considerations

Scottish breeding wigeon exist in small numbers where habitat quality directly determines breeding success and individual duckling survival. Drainage of upland bogs reduces invertebrate food needed for duckling growth. Mink predation causes both direct predation and disturbance stress that suppresses breeding. Habitat restoration and mink management at key breeding sites directly improves individual wigeon welfare and population sustainability.

What You Can Do

Support Scottish Wildlife Trust and RSPB Scotland upland habitat restoration
Advocate for mink management programmes protecting ground-nesting waterbirds
Report breeding wigeon sightings to contribute to population monitoring