Wildlife

Dotterel Welfare on Scottish Mountains

The dotterel is a rare Arctic-alpine breeding species on Scottish mountaintops, highly vulnerable to climate change and human disturbance.

Key Facts

UK breeding population only 500-900 pairs on high mountaintops
Males incubate eggs and raise young while females compete for mates
Staging flocks appear on lowland farmland during spring migration
Listed as Schedule 1 specially protected species
Dependent on high-altitude invertebrates and bare mountain heath

Welfare Considerations

Climate-driven upward shift in vegetation zones is shrinking suitable high-altitude breeding habitat. Increased human access to mountains for recreation causes disturbance at nest sites. Very small population makes each breeding failure disproportionately significant.

What You Can Do

Keep strictly to paths near known dotterel nesting areas
Report sightings to Scottish Natural Heritage
Support climate action as primary conservation measure
Donate to upland bird research programmes