The 2025 International Wing Survey Report 2nd September 2025

For the second year in a row, Waterfowlers’ Network has released its Annual International Wing Survey Report, providing the latest insights from the collection of wings from Sweden, Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.

Text: Lene Midtgaard

The report demonstrates the value of voluntary wing collection by hunters, offering data on the age and sex distribution of harvested waterfowl. This information is vital for supporting sustainable hunting practices. Expanding its scope for 2025, the report includes data from Ireland for the first time and also features mallard. More than 19,000 wings were collected across the four countries, creating a foundation to monitor trends in species such as teal, wigeon, greylag geese, and mallards.

“Continuous, international data collection is essential to track population trends,” says Claus Lind Christensen, chairmann of Waterfowlers' Network. “The Wing Survey report demonstrates the power of collaboration between hunters and researchers across borders.”

The report emphasizes the need to increase hunter participation and develop digital tools to make data collection easier and more efficient. Despite challenges in data harmonization and quality, the long-term benefits are clear: better knowledge of waterfowl populations, more sustainable hunting, and stronger collaboration across countries and communities.

Read the International Wing Survey report

Waterfowlers' Network would like to express our sincere gratitude to all the hunters who have contributed to the wing surveys. Your valuable input plays a crucial role in improving our knowledge of waterfowl populations and ensuring their sustainable management.