Some populations of this species in milder areas of Europe are resident, with the remaining populations wintering to the south over a large range, encompassing much of the southern coast of Europe. It breeds chiefly inland, with much breeding habitat created by rising water levels. It inhabits the temperate zone to the edge of boreal forests of the Palearctic; mainly at low altitudes, and generally near calm, shallow water of coastal or inland waters, including rivers and their estuaries. In winter it tends to occur far more in coastal habitats, but also inland at relatively low elevations. It relies heavily on aquatic and terrestrial insects, earthworms and marine invertebrates, and to lesser extent on fish for prey (Burger at al. 2020).

Although the generation length for both EU and Europe regional assessments were calculated using the same methodology, new information arriving after the EU assessments were undertaken gave rise to an update in the generation lengths. This new information was then used for the Europe level assessments giving rise to a difference between the generation lengths used for the EU and Europe regions.

Conservation Actions Underway
The species is listed under the African Eurasian Waterbird Agreement. Within the EU it is listed on Annex II of the Birds Directive. It is listed within 43 marine Important Bird Areas. In the EU it is listed in 928 Special Protection Areas.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Management plans established for protected sites, including monitoring and enforcement from disturbance and removal of eggs.