The global population of migratory shorebirds across the world saw a substantial decline, with some populations of migratory shorebirds decreasing by more than a third, according to the latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Photo: Vilnis Husko

A re-assessment was carried out for around half of the 254 species of shorebirds that the conservation partnership BirdLife International monitors, seeing sixteen shorebird species reclassified to higher threat categories: Seven were categorised as “near threatened” and nine are now “vulnerable” to extinction, experiencing global population declines of 20-40% over three generations.

Migratory birds are most at risk as they follow specific migration flyways or routes and stop along the way to rest and feed at certain sites that now face threats like habitat loss and climate change impacts.

Four UK shorebird species have seen significant declines in numbers and have moved to higher threat categories on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species; Grey Plovers; Dunlins; Turnstones; and Curlew Sandpipers. Key threats include habitat loss and degradation, hunting, and climate change impacts.

Shorebird population declines are resulting in whole ecosystems and food chains being disrupted.