The Big Picture for Shorebirds in 2024/25
In 2024, a report published by the IUCN (the International Union for the Conservation of Nature), revealed shorebird populations are becoming increasingly threatened.
The report highlighted global population declines for turnstone, dunlin, grey plover and curlew sandpiper, all species which visit the Northumberland coast over winter.
Read on for a roundup of what makes these birds special, and why it is so important to give them space to ensure their survival.
Turnstone are one of the most widespread bird species globally; they breed in the Arctic and migrate to coastlines around the world for winter. They feed and roost in large flocks, especially on rocky and shingly shores, or sandy beaches with plenty of storm-wracked seaweed. They have declined by at least 20% globally since the mid-2000s, and by 21% in the UK over the past 25 years.
Dunlin are widely distributed worldwide; their breeding range extends from the Arctic into northern temperate regions including Scotland and northern England. They migrate southwards throughout the British Isles in winter, favouring estuaries and mudflats. Dunlin populations have declined by at least 20% globally since the early 2000’s, and by 34% in the UK over the past 25 years.
Grey plover breed in the Arctic and fly southwards for winter. Mostly found on mudflats, grey plovers are usually seen as singular birds on the Northumberland coast, with larger winter populations occurring on more southward estuaries. Grey plover have declined by more than 30% globally since the late 1990s, and by 35% in the UK over the past 25 years.
Curlew sandpiper breed in northern Siberia and winter in western Africa, occasionally passing through coastlines of the British Isles on migration, and a rarity in Northumberland. They are found variously feeding on mudflats, saltmarshes, rocky shores and amongst tidewrack. They have declined by more than 30% globally since the late 2000s.
What is causing shorebird population declines?
There are several interacting factors causing shorebird population declines:
Habitat loss and degradation. Land use changes on the coast including urbanisation and agricultural intensification often require extensive drainage and land reclamation. This results in the destruction of mudflats, saltmarsh and sandy shore habitats, meaning a loss of essential feeding and nesting areas for shorebirds. Additionally, these human landscapes can support large populations of predators such as crows and foxes, which can increase predation of shorebirds.
Human disturbance. Coastal development also increases human disturbance. The presence of people on beaches creates a perceived threat to birds, leading to greater energy expenditure, disruption to essential feeding and resting time, and loss in body health from repeated flushing (flying off). Human disturbance also potentially exacerbates other pressures on shorebird survival, such as vulnerability to predators.
Climate change. Shorebird habitats such as rocky headlands, saltmarsh and sand dunes are at increasing risk of inundation from sea level rise caused by global warming. In places where human land use dominates the coastline, these habitats cannot easily move inland, creating a ‘coastal squeeze’ effect whereby the habitat area becomes narrower and closer to human activity. Climate change might also impact shorebird populations by reducing survival during extreme weather, shifting seasonal food availability, and increasing predation as warming temperatures disrupt predator-prey food webs.
Overfishing. Intensive commercial fishing has caused declines in shellfish such as cockles and mussels, an essential food source for many shorebirds. Subsequent population declines in species such as oystercatcher have been identified on major estuaries in the British Isles, such as The Wash in eastern England and Carmarthen Bay in south Wales.
Pollution. Pollution from industrial processes, mining activities and agriculture often occurs in coastal environments and enters natural food webs, which can impact the health of shorebirds. Some of the most common pollutants shorebirds are exposed to include heavy metals (especially cadmium, mercury and lead), and PCBs (man-made organic chemicals). These can severely affect reproduction, impair chick growth and reduce migration performance.
Hunting. Wild birds are hunted for recreation, commercial value or subsistence. Prior to the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), hunting of wild animals was widespread in Britain and Ireland, and this contributed to population declines for many shorebird species such as the curlew. Still today, there are complex social and cultural barriers to ceasing hunting of wild birds throughout the world, and this continues to threaten many shorebird species.
How can we all help protect shorebirds?
We can all tackle these global problems by protecting shorebirds on our local beaches. The Northumberland coast is one of the best places in the British Isles (and globally!) for shorebirds, and one of the most impactful ways everyone can help is by giving these birds space when visiting the beach. Avoiding disturbance to feeding, roosting and nesting areas allows the birds to preserve their energy and maintain body health, giving them a much better chance of survival.
You can allow plenty of space for the birds and still enjoy the beach by:
Looking and listening for birds nearby. Keep vigilant to avoid getting too close – noticing the wildlife around us is great for our own wellbeing too!
Give birds space of around 40-50m. If you see birds flying or walking away from you, or if you hear them calling loudly, this means they need more space.
Follow signage and guidance from rangers. The Space for Shorebirds team are always happy to help you identify important areas for birds, and to tell you all about them!
If you want to learn more about the conservation status of these shorebird species and their population trends, visit our Big Picture page here.
If you want to join our free beginner’s guided walks and birdwatching events, click here.
References
Anderson, C.M., Fahrig, L., Rausch, J., Martin. J.L., Daufresne, T. & Smith, P.A. (2023) ‘Climate-related range shifts in Arctic-breeding shorebirds’. Ecology and Evolution. 13:2, 1-10
Appleton, G. (2022) When Oystercatchers can’t find food | wadertales
Atkinsona,P.W., Clark, N.A., Bell, M.C., Dare, P.J., Clark, J.A. & Ireland, P.L. (2003) ‘Changes in commercially fished shellfish stocks and shorebird populations in the Wash, England’. Biological Conservation. 114:1, 127-141
BirdLife DataZone (2024) BirdLife DataZone | BirdLife DataZone
Collop, C., Stillman, R.A., Garbutt, G., Yates, M.G., Rispin, E. & Yates, T. (2016) ‘Variability in the area, energy and time costs of wintering waders in response to disturbance’. Ibis. 158, 711-725
Galbraith, H., Jones, R., Park, R. Clough, J., Herrod-Julius, S., Harrington, B. & Page, G. (2005) ‘Global Climate Change and Sea Level Rise: Potential Losses of Intertidal Habitat for Shorebirds’. USDA Forest Service General Technical Reports. Available online at: psw_gtr191_1119-1122_galbraith.pdf
Gallo-Cajiao, E., Morrison, T.H., Woodworth, B.K., Lees, A.C., Naves, L.C., Yongg, D.L., Choih, C.Y., Mundkuri, T., Birda, J., Jaing, A., Klokovj, K., Syroechkovskiyk, E., Chowdhuryl, S.U., Fum, V.W.K., Watson, J.E.M. & Fuller. R.A. (2020) ‘Extent and potential impact of hunting on migratory shorebirds in the Asia-Pacific’. Biological Conservation. 246
Hamilton, C.D., Kovacs, K.M., Ims, R.A., Aars, J. & Lydersen, C. (2017) ‘An Arctic predator-prey system in flux: climate change impacts on coastal space use by polar bears and ringed seals’. Journal of Animal Ecology. 86:5, 1054-1064
IUCN Red List (2024) IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Ma, Y., Choi, C.Y., Thomas, A. & Gibson, L. (2022) ‘Review of contaminant levels and effects in shorebirds: knowledge gaps and conservation priorities’. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 242:1
Nolet, B.A., Kölzsch, A., Elderenbosch, M. & van Noordwijk, A.J. (2016) ‘Scaring waterfowl as a management tool: how much more do geese forage after disturbance?’. Journal of Applied Ecology. 53, 1413-1421
O’Rourke, J. (2021) How is climate change impacting food availability for shorebirds? – Manomet Conservation Sciences
Pringle, H. Wilson, M., Calladine, J. & Siriwardena, G. (2019) Associations between gamebird releases and generalist predators. Journal of Applied Ecology. 56(8), 2102-2113
RSPB (2024a) Life on the Edge LIFE on the Edge | Coastal habitat Creation & Restoration
RSPB (2024b) What Does the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 do?
Wildlife and Countryside Link (2017) Sustainable Shores – Are we doing enough to address habitat loss at our coast? – Wildlife and Countryside Link
Woodward, I.D., Austin, G.E., Boersch-Supan, P.H., Thaxter, C.B. & Burton, N.H.K. (2022) ‘Assessing drivers of winter abundance change in Eurasian curlews Numenius arquata in England and Wales’. Bird Study. 68:3, 289-301
Woodward, I.D., Calbrade, N.A., Birtles, G.A., Feather, A., Peck, K., Wotton, S.R., Shaw, J.M., Balmer, D.E. & Frost, T.M. (2024) ‘Waterbirds in the UK 2022/23: The Wetland Bird Survey and Goose & Swan Monitoring Programme’. BTO/ RSPB/JNCC/NatureScot. Thetford. Available online at: Waterbirds in the UK — Summary report | BTO – British Trust for Ornithology
