Overview
The Wader-friendly Farming Initiative is a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NFU Scotland, the Scottish Crofting Federation, the Scottish Agricultural College, and, most importantly, farmers across Scotland.
Farmland wading birds benefit from active farming. This initiative aims to promote the incorporation of cost-neutral techniques that benefit farmland wading birds into everyday practice.
By demonstrating your support you will receive information on the simple steps you can take, and you will be championing the important voluntary contribution the farming community can make in addressing a key nature conservation issue.
Scottish farmers and farmland are vital
Farmland wading birds are a charismatic group of birds which includes lapwings, oystercatchers, curlews and snipe. All are long-legged, ground nesting birds, whose chicks leave the nest soon after hatching.
Lapwings and oystercatchers are typically found in the arable and mixed farming areas of east Scotland. They are also present on many hill livestock areas in the north and west of the country – along with curlews and snipe.
Wading birds are a familiar sight across the Scottish countryside; however, surveys show the populations of some – in particular lapwings and curlews – are declining at an alarming rate.
Drainage of wet grassland habitats, higher stocking densities and increased levels of nest and chick predation are all contributing factors. It is increasingly apparent that waders avoid undergrazed areas – particularly on wetter ground – where the vegetation becomes too coarse as suitable nesting and foraging habitat.
