Curlew Welfare: The Most Urgent UK Bird Conservation Priority

The curlew is considered the most urgent bird conservation priority in the UK, with breeding populations having collapsed by 65% since the 1970s. Individual welfare and population survival are inseparable.

Key Facts

UK breeding curlew populations have declined by 65% since the 1970s, with fewer than 60,000 pairs remaining
Curlews are long-lived birds that mate for life, making breeding failure particularly significant for welfare
Chick survival is the key limiting factor — predation by foxes and corvids is the most commonly cited cause on managed land
Blanket bog and upland moorland curlews have been most severely affected by afforestation and drainage
The Curlew Country project has demonstrated that targeted predator management and habitat restoration can improve breeding success

Welfare Considerations

Curlew welfare is critically compromised by breeding failure. These long-lived, monogamous birds invest enormous energy in migration, site selection, and incubation — only to have chicks predated in the first few weeks of life year after year. Repeated reproductive failure in intelligent, social birds represents chronic welfare deprivation. The urgency of their conservation status means welfare and survival are inseparable concerns. Habitat restoration and, controversially, targeted predator management are the tools with the most evidence for improving curlew breeding welfare.

What You Can Do

Support Curlew Country, Curlew Action, or regional curlew projects working on habitat and breeding success
Report curlew breeding attempts to local wildlife recorders and BTO BirdTrack
Advocate for upland management policy that protects blanket bog and wet grassland for curlew breeding
Keep dogs on leads in upland areas during the curlew breeding season from March to July
Donate to the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts managing curlew breeding habitat on reserves