Wildlife

Wild Wigeon Breeding Welfare

Wigeon breed in Scotland and northern England, with welfare implications from habitat loss on breeding moorland and wetland sites.

Key Facts

UK breeding wigeons number only around 5,000 pairs, mostly in Scotland
Breeding occurs on moorland pools, lochs, and wetland edge habitats
Drainage of upland wetland removes breeding habitat
Wigeons are ground nesters vulnerable to predation from foxes and corvids
Breeding success requires both suitable nesting habitat and invertebrate-rich water for ducklings

Welfare Considerations

Wigeon breeding welfare depends on appropriate upland wetland habitats that are increasingly threatened by drainage and afforestation. Breeding failure through habitat loss causes welfare costs to breeding pairs. Upland wetland restoration and appropriate predator management at key sites improves individual wigeon breeding welfare.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and wetland conservation organisations protecting upland breeding habitats
Contribute to waterbird monitoring schemes recording wigeon breeding distribution
Advocate for upland peatland restoration protecting breeding duck habitats