Record year for BASC Wing Survey as club raffle boosts returns

The 2025/26 season was the biggest on record for the BASC Wing Survey, with more than 4,000 wings submitted from across the UK. A membership raffle run by the Fenland Wildfowlers Association (FWA) helped drive the record, and the club’s initiative will be celebrated at the Game Fair later this month.

The record total builds on a strong 2024/25 season, when 3,201 wings were submitted and wigeon topped the species list with 1,097 wings, ahead of teal on 825 and woodcock on 452. This season’s total of more than 4,000 is a rise of around a quarter year on year.

How did a club raffle boost the Wing Survey?

Last season the FWA entered every member who submitted a Wing Survey return into a prize draw for a year’s free club membership. Members received one raffle entry for each return they made during the season, regardless of how many wings it contained.

The simple incentive generated a healthy level of participation, with FWA members submitting 142 wings during 2025/26. Teal and wigeon accounted for the largest number from the club’s ground, with 44 and 43 wings respectively.

BASC (basc.org.uk) was also able to give the club a summary of its submissions, showing members the age and mix of birds recorded on their own marshes through the season.

Why do wing submissions matter to wildfowlers?

The Wing Survey is one of the UK’s longest-running citizen science projects, providing information on the age and breeding success of wildfowl. Every wing submitted strengthens the evidence base that supports the sustainable management of quarry species – evidence the sport leans on whenever seasons and quarry lists come under scrutiny.

Wings reveal the age and sex ratios of the waterbird harvest. By analysing the ratio of juveniles to adult females, researchers can gauge breeding success and anticipate future population trends; BASC notes that the teal breeding index has fallen from four to six juveniles per adult female in the late 1980s to around two in recent years. Goose wings can now also be submitted through the Epicollect app.

Heather Warrender, BASC scientific advisor, said: “The Wing Survey relies on the commitment of people who take the time to submit their wings throughout the season. Every submission adds to our understanding of wildfowl populations, and it’s great to see clubs like the Fenland Wildfowlers Association finding new ways to encourage members to get involved.”

What happens next?

The FWA’s raffle draw will be held at the Game Fair at Ragley Hall (24 to 26 July), inside the BASC Dome on the main stand after the wildfowling talk on Friday 24 July. BASC hopes other clubs will consider similar schemes to lift participation further next season; details of the survey and how to take part are at basc.org.uk.