Dotterels are rare upland breeding birds in Scotland whose welfare is increasingly threatened by climate change reducing their high-altitude breeding habitat.
Dotterel welfare at breeding sites depends on cold, open plateau conditions. Warming summers push vegetation upward and reduce bare plateau habitat essential for nesting. Increased predation pressure from foxes and corvids following warmer winters threatens eggs and chicks. Climate-related range contraction means remaining populations face increasing density and habitat degradation. Protection of existing high-altitude habitats and reduction of upland predator pressure are key welfare interventions.