Curlew Migration Conservation and Wintering Welfare

Eurasian curlews winter on coastal estuaries after breeding on upland moors, facing threats from disturbance, habitat loss, and food scarcity on both their breeding and wintering grounds.

Key Facts

The Eurasian curlew has undergone a 48% global population decline and is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List
UK wintering curlew populations are partially sustained by birds from Scandinavia and continental Europe
Curlews use their long curved bill to probe soft mud for worms, bivalves, and crustaceans on estuary mudflats
Disturbance from dogs, kite surfing, and other recreation can prevent curlews from accessing food during critical tidal windows
Climate change is altering the timing of prey availability on wintering estuaries, creating food timing mismatches

Welfare Considerations

Wintering curlews face welfare challenges from disturbance that prevents foraging during the narrow tidal windows when prey is accessible on exposed mudflats. A curlew disturbed repeatedly during low tide loses critical feeding time in an environment with limited alternative food sources. Cumulative disturbance from multiple recreational activities on popular estuaries can prevent birds from meeting their daily energy requirements in cold weather. Estuary management plans that designate disturbance-free zones during key feeding periods directly improve curlew welfare and survival prospects.

What You Can Do

Keep dogs on leads near estuary mudflats during winter to avoid disturbing foraging waders
Respect disturbance exclusion signage on managed estuaries and reserves
Support WWT and RSPB estuary management programmes that protect curlew foraging habitat
Report curlew sightings and disturbance events to local wildlife recording groups