Wild Animals

Wild Curlew Nest Concealment

Curlew nests are ground-level scrapes in grassland or heath, and their success depends on concealment from predators and freedom from agricultural disturbance during the 28-day incubation period.

Key Facts

Curlew incubation takes 28-30 days with both parents sharing duties
Nests in short vegetation have lower survival rates than those in longer rank grass
Fox and crow predation accounts for 60-70% of nest failures on unmanaged farmland
Nest camouflage is so effective that many agricultural workers unknowingly drive over nests

Welfare Considerations

Curlew eggs crushed by agricultural machinery or vehicle tyres cause instantaneous embryo death that terminates the reproductive investment of adult pairs. Adults disturbed from nests by livestock, dog walkers or machinery abandon incubation during cold or wet weather, causing egg chilling. The long incubation period creates extended vulnerability to disturbance that compounds across each failed breeding season.

What You Can Do

Alert farmers and contractors to curlew nest presence before operations during April to July
Keep dogs on leads in curlew breeding habitat from March to July
Support curlew nest monitoring schemes with local wildlife trusts and Curlew Action
Donate to Curlew Country and Curlew Action projects providing nest protection and monitoring