Wildlife

Greenshank Welfare and Highland Breeding Ecology

The greenshank breeds on remote Scottish Highland flows and is a flagship species for the conservation of blanket bog habitats.

Key Facts

Around 1000 pairs breed in Scotland, mainly in the Flow Country
Nests on open ground near lochs and bog pools
Long-distance migrant wintering in West Africa and South Asia
Very sensitive to human disturbance at nest sites
Drainage and afforestation of peat bogs are key threats

Welfare Considerations

Blanket bog drainage for agriculture or forestry destroys breeding habitat and reduces invertebrate prey availability. Disturbance near nests causes abandonment. Protecting the Flow Country as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is vital for this species.

What You Can Do

Support Flows to the Future peatland restoration
Avoid walking near greenshank nesting areas in spring
Campaign against further afforestation of blanket bog
Donate to RSPB Scotland upland programmes