Wildlife

Grey Plover Welfare on Estuaries

The grey plover is a non-breeding winter visitor to UK estuaries, highly sensitive to tidal disturbance and estuary degradation.

Key Facts

Breeds on High Arctic tundra, winters on UK estuaries
Feeds on invertebrates in intertidal mudflats
Highly faithful to individual estuary roost sites
UK winter population around 43,000 individuals
Listed as Amber conservation status in the UK

Welfare Considerations

Tidal roosting flocks are vulnerable to disturbance by dogs, kites, and drone users. Repeated flushing wastes critical energy reserves in birds fattening for long migrations. Sea level rise threatens intertidal feeding habitat.

What You Can Do

Keep dogs on leads near estuary roost sites
Avoid flying kites or drones near wader roosts
Support estuary habitat management and SSSI protection
Donate to Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT)