Wildlife

Curlew Sandpiper Welfare: Migration to Africa

The curlew sandpiper undertakes one of the longest migrations of any wader and its welfare during stopovers on estuaries and coastal mudflats depends on abundant invertebrate food.

Key Facts

Curlew sandpipers breed in Arctic Siberia and migrate to Africa, some individuals covering 10,000+ km
They stage on coastal mudflats and estuaries in the UK during southward migration in August-September
Their decurved bill is adapted for probing soft mud for invertebrates including marine worms and molluscs
Numbers staging in the UK have declined significantly reflecting breeding success in Arctic Russia

Welfare Considerations

Staging birds require abundant invertebrate food to refuel for the next leg of migration. Disturbance of roosting and feeding flocks by dogs and recreational users wastes critical energy reserves. Mudflat habitat loss from coastal development and sea level change reduces food availability. Hunting pressure in parts of the Mediterranean and Africa causes direct mortality during migration.

What You Can Do

Avoid disturbing roosting and feeding wader flocks on estuaries during migration periods
Keep dogs on leads on estuarine mudflats during migration season
Support estuarine and coastal habitat protection through relevant wildlife organisations
Advocate for an end to hunting migratory waders in Mediterranean countries