Wildlife

UK Avocet and Stilt Wetland Future

Future prospects for avocets and black-winged stilts as they expand in UK wetland habitats.

Key Facts

Climate warming is enabling continued avocet range expansion into Scotland
Black-winged stilts may become regular breeders in coming decades
Wetland creation projects are providing habitat for both species ahead of their arrival
Both species demonstrate that conservation investment can enable recovery and expansion
Future range expansion depends on continued wetland restoration and legal protection

Welfare Considerations

Expanding avocet and stilt populations are a welfare and conservation success story, with ongoing wetland management delivering continued benefits as ranges expand.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB and Wildlife Trust wetland creation projects
Record avocet breeding sightings at new sites to document range expansion
Celebrate conservation success stories to build public engagement with wildlife