Wildlife

Wild Wigeon Welfare and Reserves

Wildfowl reserves managed specifically for wigeon welfare provide undisturbed feeding, appropriate grass sward, and winter refuge that support individual body condition.

Key Facts

WWT Slimbridge, Martin Mere, and Welney host tens of thousands of wintering wigeon
Managed grazing by cattle and horses maintains appropriate sward height for wigeon feeding
No-shoot refuge areas allow birds to feed undisturbed through the winter period
Supplementary feeding in hard weather conditions prevents starvation during cold snaps
Reserve management mimicking natural estuary conditions provides highest welfare outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Managed wetland reserves demonstrate that targeted welfare intervention for wild birds is both achievable and effective. Wigeon that winter on well-managed reserves maintain better body condition than those wintering on unmanaged sites, as measured by arrival at spring migration in better shape. This body condition advantage translates to improved breeding success in Icelandic and Russian breeding grounds.

What You Can Do

Visit WWT reserves during winter to observe wigeon and support reserve management
Donate to WWT habitat management programmes that maintain reserve welfare conditions
Advocate for increased reserve management funding to expand wigeon winter refuge capacity