Scotland proposes fourteen new wader recovery zones

New wader recovery areas proposed across Scotland

Fourteen strongholds for Scotland’s declining wading birds have been proposed by NatureScot and the Working for Waders partnership, which is consulting farmers, gamekeepers and other conservationists on the plans.

The areas, which stretch from Shetland to the Central Belt, have been identified as hotspots where wader populations remain healthy and conditions can support multiple species. Each would cover thousands of hectares of suitable habitat, with the aim of concentrating conservation effort and resources where they are most likely to make a difference.

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Decline of Scotland’s farmland waders

Scotland holds internationally important numbers of some breeding waders, but almost all species are in serious decline. Curlew numbers fell by 62% between 1995 and 2024, while lapwings declined by 63% and oystercatchers by 41% over the same period.

Waders are under pressure from the loss of open breeding habitats through agricultural intensification and woodland planting. They nest in moorland and agricultural grassland, leaving eggs and chicks vulnerable to livestock, machinery and predators. Forestry can displace waders directly, and the birds will frequently avoid land within hundreds of metres of woodland edges.

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Consultation with farmers and land managers

Patrick Laurie, Working for Waders project coordinator, has been travelling the country to consult farmers, gamekeepers and conservationists in the proposed areas, focusing on what is already being done, what more could be achieved and what support is needed.

“Wherever they’re found, species like lapwings, curlews and redshank are loved and admired, but they face a range of issues depending on where they are,” he said.

“Predation is an issue for waders in Lanarkshire, but fewer ground predators are present on islands like Islay, where weather conditions and climate change may be more significant threats. In Angus and Lanarkshire, forest expansion is a major concern for waders, but the same cannot be said of areas like Orkney and Shetland. There are no easy answers, but the Wader Recovery Area approach allows us to focus on the detail and deliver real change.”

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NatureScot calls for collaborative action

Dave Parish, NatureScot ornithologist, said: “Waders are some of our most wonderful and celebrated birds, but they are suffering steep declines. All the ‘big five’ farmland waders – curlew, lapwing, oystercatcher, redshank and golden plover – have been lost from historical parts of their breeding range in Scotland.

“Sadly, we probably do have to recognise that the days of every suitable farm having a few wader pairs might be a thing of the past, but with this new approach we hope to put the brakes on the overall decline that we are seeing in Scotland. We want to work with partners, farmers and land managers in these areas to see what more we can do together to help these much-loved species.”