How to Help England’s Wonderful Wading Birds!
Curlews are Europe’s largest wading birds, and many of these critically endangered birds live in England. Named after their melodic call, their official name is Greek for ‘new moon’ (due to the shape of their long curved beaks, which are ideal to probe soft soil and mud, to find worms and crabs).
Curlews are endangered due to habitat loss, disturbance and intensive farming practices (curlews lay eggs directly on the ground). They mate for life, often returning to the same nesting spots each year.
Stick to Paths Near Potential Nests
Keep to official walking paths (especially during breeding season from April to July) and keep dogs on short leads. You can download free signs in English or Welsh.
Avoid Buying Peat Compost
This helps to protect wetlands, where curlews and many other birds live and feed. You can make your own compost or choose peat-free brands. Keep fresh compost away from pets (read more on pet-friendly gardens).
Use Nature-Friendly Farming Practices
As well as protecting wetlands (and avoid planting trees in these areas, as they can help to hide predators), leave areas with nesting curlews (mid-April to mid-July) alone. If you mow, then start from the inside out to the edges of fields, so creatures have a chance of escape.
Report Sightings of Curlews
As these birds are critically endangered, reporting sightings to Curlew Action helps to monitor their efforts to preserve these wonderful birds.
Campaign for Wildlife-Friendly Planning
Write to your MP to ask him or her to vote for wildlife-friendly planning. We need affordable homes, but not on land that is home to our native and endangered wildlife. Politicians can work with wildlife ecologists, to learn how to build without harming other creatures.
Report Litter to Your Local Council
Litter is harmful to all wildlife. Report any you see to Fix My Street. Councils (no matter who dropped it) are responsible for clearing it on public land. For private land, they can serve Litter Abatement Orders to have landowners clear it (or bill the landowner for clearing it themselves).
To avoid wildfires, never smoke near farmlands or wetlands (and use a personal ashtray to immediately distinguish cigarettes, until you find a bin).
Anglers can use a Monomaster to store fishing gear, until deposited at a fishing line recycling station.
Report Wildlife Crime (anonymously)
You can report wildlife crime (anonymously) to Crimestoppers. In many cases, there are rewards (using a bank code, so no personal details are given).
Avocets by Mr Watson Design
Wading birds (which sometimes live by the coast but mostly in wetlands) have long legs and long bills, to enable them to feed on worms, crustaceans and invertebrates in muddy estuaries. Some migrate here from the Arctic, others live in England year-round. All are at risk, due to lack of wetlands and modern farming methods, which off-run chemicals into water ways.
Often seen in huge flocks (often in tens of thousands), they are especially seen on Morecambe Bay (north west England) and The Wash in East Anglia.
Keep at least 50 metres away from wading birds (they need more space at high tide), as flying away wastes energy that could be used for feeding. Keep dogs away, as disturbing nests could cause birds to abandon chicks (most areas popular with wading birds have sinking mud, so are not safe areas to walk anyway. Read more on keeping dogs safe at the seaside.
Morecambe Bay and the Wash (wading bird heaven!)
Most of England’s wading birds live in wetlands and estuaries.
Morecambe Bay is the second largest bay in England that covers 300 square km of intertidal mudflats and sands, flowing from the River Lune in Lancashire. It’s a wetland paradise for over 200,000 wading birds. And also home to wildfowl, gulls and the rare brown fritillary butterflies.
One pretty town on Morecambe Bay is Cumbria’s Grange-Over-Sands. The ‘over-sands’ name is not just for show. Back in the 1800s, the local vicar got fed up of his letters ending up in Grange (Borrowdale) near Keswick. So he changed the name, to receive his post!)
The Wash (on the east coast where Norfolk meets Lincolnshire) is home to some of the best best saltmarshes and mudflats in England, fed by four rivers. Freiston’s sea wall has been adapted to increase saltmarshes to give more habitats for wading birds, and acts as natural flood prevention.
It’s also home to common seals (who give birth on sandbanks in summer, and important nursery areas for fish. Today the area is protected (one exploited shellfishery led to a decline in bird populations).
In 1216, King John took a safer route from King’s Lynn to Lincoln, but his men and horses died, when his baggage train with the crown jewels were lost in fast-moving tides, near what is now Sutton Bridge. The king became ill and died a week later, and the wagons were never found.
Let’s Meet Some of England’s Wading Birds!
There are separate posts on curlews (critically endangered due to loss of habitat and modern farming). And herons, egrets and bitterns (a related group of wading birds).
Avocets use their unique beaks to build ground nests surrounded by water. Mostly found in southern and eastern England, they almost became extinct, but conservation efforts means numbers are returning. These black-and-white birds are the emblem for RSPB.
Black-winged stilts have long pink legs and black-and-white feathers. A rare breeder in England, these birds have started to nest here, due to warmer weather. They like shallow lagoons, where they wade through still water in search of insects, snails and small fish.
Black-tailed godwits are slender birds with orange-brown necks in spring, and black-and-white wings. Mostly migrating from Iceland, some breed in England’s Fens in eastern England. Bar-tailed godwits are smaller, with striped tails and upturned bills.
Common snipes use a ‘sewing machine’ method to investigate marshes for food. Jack snipes are only seen in England in winter (they pump their bodies up and down, as they walk!)
Dunlins (and little stints) look similar to curlews, with downward-curving bills, and although brown in breeding season, are grey in winter. These small busy birds rarely rest, dashing about in large flocks to probe the mud for food. In winter, the sight of thousands wheeling in the air is a true spectacle.
Knots have brick-red plumage, though look more grey in winter. They migrate from the Arctic each autumn, to feed on shellfish and marine worms.
Lapwings have striking black and white plumage and distinct calls. They are critically endangered (at risk of extinction in west England) due to lack of wetlands. They also like grasslands for food and camouflage against predators, laying eggs in shallow scrapes.
Redshanks have carrot-coloured legs, and make fast-piping whistle calls. They again arrive from northern Europe in winter (greenshanks and spotted redshanks have longer legs and bills).
Plovers are common on England’s coast (ringed plovers are larger, and little-ringed plovers have golden rings on their eyes). known for their stop-start running after prey.
Ruffs have impressive ruffs around their necks, and favour flooded meadows, wetlands and muddy edges of lakes. They rarely breed in England, but migrate here from abroad.
Snipes are secretive birds that hide in reeds or long grass. When startled, they explode from cover in a zigzag flight, and in spring, males ‘drum’ by vibrating their tail feathers in a proud display.
Spoonbills are named after their spatula-shaped bills, which can easily sift through water and mud to find tasty treats like beetles, small fish and tadpoles. Mostly found on the North Norfolk coast, abroad these endangered birds roam the icy coasts of Siberia to lush wetlands of Africa.
Common cranes are England’s tallest birds. Mostly found in Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Somerset, they are known for their beautiful courtship dances (each bird walks around the other with spread wings, then leaps in the air to bow, and throws grass blades and sticks in the air, to show their love!)
How to Help England’s Wading Birds
Curlew by Mr Watson Designs
Stick to Paths Near Potential Nests
Keep to official walking paths (especially during breeding season from April to July) and keep dogs on short leads. You can download free signs in English or Welsh.
Avoid Buying Peat Compost
This helps to protect wetlands, where curlews and many other birds live and feed. You can make your own compost or choose peat-free brands. Keep fresh compost away from pets (read more on pet-friendly gardens).
Practice Nature-Friendly Farming Practices
As well as protecting wetlands (and avoid planting trees in these areas, as they can help to hide predators), leave areas with nesting birds alone. If you mow, then start from the inside out to the edges of fields, so creatures have a chance of escape.
Campaign for Wildlife-Friendly Planning
Write to your MP to ask him or her to vote for wildlife-friendly planning. We need affordable homes, but not on land that is home to our native and endangered wildlife. Politicians can work with wildlife ecologists, to learn how to build without harming other creatures.
Report Litter to Your Local Council
Litter is harmful to all wildlife. Report any you see to Fix My Street. Councils (no matter who dropped it) are responsible for clearing it on public land. For private land, they can serve Litter Abatement Orders to have landowners clear it (or bill the landowner for clearing it themselves).
To avoid wildfires, never smoke near farmlands or wetlands (and use a personal ashtray to immediately distinguish cigarettes, until you find a bin).
Anglers can use a Monomaster to store fishing gear, until deposited at a fishing line recycling station.
Report Wildlife Crime (anonymously)
You can report wildlife crime (anonymously) to Crimestoppers. In many cases, there are rewards (using a bank code, so no personal details are given).
Herons, egrets and bitterns are found everywhere (apart from Antarctica) and can be striking grey to muted blue, adapting to both freshwater and saltwater habitats.
Keep at least 50 metres away from wading birds, as flying away wastes energy that could be used for feeding (they need more space at high tide). Keep dogs away, as disturbing nests could cause birds to abandon chicks. Read more on keeping dogs safe at the seaside.
These birds often stand very still, waiting for their next meal. But how do you know which is which?
Herons and egrets both cover great distances, though endangered bitterns (just 200 or so breeding pairs in the UK) are less migratory – but still may move to find food elsewhere. Read more at Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.
- Herons (like cranes) perform courtship dances where they stretch their necks, flare plumage and fly in the air.
- Egrets are smaller and less noisy than herons, with white plumage. They are more social and preen each others’ feathers. They tend to prefer wetlands, while herons are sometimes spotted by the coast.
- Bitterns are harder to spot, as they often hide their streaky brown feathers amongst reeds and marshes. These solitary birds live amid dense vegetation, but in spring you may hear their distinctive ‘booming’ call.
Restoring our wetlands is the best way to help wading birds, as it provides natural food and habitat. In recent years, many wetlands have been lost to farming and building, so birds lose their nesting and feeding grounds.
Other issues are water pollution, raw sewage and climate change which changes weather patterns). So support small organic farmers that protect wildlife corridors, and avoid companies that use pesticide, that kill the creatures that wetland birds feed on.
Grey Heron
The Grey Heron stands as one of the most familiar sights near lakes, rivers and ponds. With slate-grey wings, a long neck and a sharp yellow bill, it’s not easily missed.
You’ll often spot one standing still, ready to spear a fish or frog with a quick snap. These birds are patient hunters and can be seen almost anywhere there’s slow-moving water.
They build huge, untidy nests in treetops, usually in groups known as heronries. With a six-foot wingspan, the Grey Heron is an impressive figure in flight, legs trailing behind. Even if you’ve seen them before, their steady presence always adds something special to the landscape.
How to Humanely Deter Herons from Ponds
It’s sad to say, but herons do kill fish and ducklings. So if you have a garden pond, herons will try to find them. You have to accept it’s nature. Two possible solutions are tall plants at the edge (to obscure views of fish) and a solar fountain to agitate the water (so herons are less likely to see them).
Dummy herons rarely work (herons hunt together, so think they’ve found a mate). And heron deterrent discs have holes in which hedgehog spikes could get caught. Netting is not recommended, as it can trap birds and wildlife.
The Little Egret used to be rare in England, but its numbers have grown since the late 20th century. Now these small, brilliant white birds are often seen along the coasts and in estuaries.
They stand out with their slender bodies, black legs and vivid yellow feet, often wading through shallow water to catch fish, shrimps and insects.
Little Egrets look delicate but handle cold winters and busy summer wetlands with ease. Their courtship displays, with fine plumes and sweeping wings, can be breath-taking if you’re lucky enough to watch. They bring a lively, almost exotic feel to even the quietest streams.
The Great Egret is similar to the Little Egret but larger, with a long, graceful neck and all-white plumage. Not long ago, spotting one was rare, but now they’re turning up more often, especially in southern and eastern England. They hunt in slow water, stalking fish and amphibians with quick, darting movements.
Their size can surprise even regular birdwatchers, as they’re about as tall as a Grey Heron but seem brighter and more elegant. During the breeding season, their fine plumes attract plenty of attention. The increase in sightings is cause for hope, showing how restoration work and warmer winters are helping some birds thrive.
Cattle Egrets are smaller and chunkier than other egrets, with short yellow bills and, in breeding season, rusty-orange feathers on the head and chest.
They’ve started turning up in England more, following livestock in fields and snatching insects disturbed by grazing cows. You might spot a group in rough pasture or even perched on the back of a sheep.
Their spread into England is a sign of changing seasons and shifting habitats. They’re quick to adapt, nesting where they find safe islands and feeding grounds. Cattle Egrets bring an unexpected spark to farmland scenes.
The Bittern is a master of disguise, with streaked, brown plumage that lets it melt into reeds and tall grasses. For years the Bittern was very rare, its numbers crashed by wetland drainage and pollution, but careful conservation has helped it start to recover.
It’s still shy and hard to see, but you might hear its booming call echoing over the marsh in spring.
This bird spends its days deep in reedbeds, hunting fish, eels and amphibians. If you catch a glimpse, you’ll see its thick neck and a habit of standing straight, bill pointing up. The return of the Bittern is a real victory for wetland work, and every sighting feels like a small moment of magic.
The Night Heron isn’t a regular sight, but it’s turning up more often, sometimes nesting in southern England. Shorter and stockier than the Grey Heron, it has a black back and crown, grey wings and a bright red eye. True to its name, it feeds at dusk and dawn, hunting quietly in shallow water.
Night Herons favour quiet, well-vegetated lakes and rivers. Their odd, barking call and hunched shape make them stand out if you’re lucky enough to see one. While still rare, each sighting hints that England’s wetlands are becoming wilder, more welcoming places.
Squacco Herons are rare visitors from southern Europe, but every year a few appear in English wetlands. They’re smaller and stockier than most herons, with buff and white plumage and a surprisingly bold blue beak in breeding season.
You’re most likely to spot one during spring and summer migration, resting in quiet ponds or marshes.
Their upright stance and sudden dashes after small fish or insects make them entertaining to watch. Each arrival is big news for keen birdwatchers and a reminder of the links between our wetlands and the wider world.
