Redshanks are common estuarine waders whose UK population has declined, with welfare depending on invertebrate-rich mudflats and undisturbed roosting habitat.
Redshank welfare during winter depends on access to productive mudflats with abundant invertebrate prey. Disturbance at high tide roost sites causes energetically costly flight. Saltmarsh loss from sea level rise threatens both breeding and roosting habitat. Predator pressure at roost sites increases when alternative roosting areas are lost. Welfare-focused estuarine management maintains diverse mudflat productivity, protects saltmarsh from erosion, and minimises disturbance at known roost sites. Their sensitivity to disturbance means responsible public use of estuaries is directly relevant to individual redshank welfare.