The garganey is the UK's only summer migrant duck, arriving from Africa to breed in shallow wetlands and marshes across England.
Garganey breeding in degraded or dry wetlands have poor nest success. Fluctuating water levels in managed wetlands can flood nests or expose them to predation. Predator pressure from foxes and mink is a welfare concern at small nesting sites. Their African wintering grounds are subject to habitat loss and hunting pressure, representing welfare risks across the entire annual cycle.