Conservation and welfare of wigeon in UK wetland breeding habitats and wintering flocks.
Key Facts
UK wigeon breeding population is small and confined to northern England and Scotland
Wigeon graze on grass as well as feeding on aquatic vegetation
Males produce a distinctive whistling call heard in winter flocks
UK hosts internationally important numbers of wintering wigeon from Iceland
Wet grassland management supports both breeding and wintering wigeon populations
Welfare Considerations
Individual wigeon depend on wet grassland and shallow wetland habitats for breeding and wintering, with habitat management delivering direct welfare benefits.
What You Can Do
Support Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust wigeon habitat management
Visit WWT reserves to see wigeon winter flocks
Advocate for wet grassland flooding management in conservation planning