Curlew Nest Protection: Conserving Europe's Largest Wader

Curlews are facing a breeding crisis in the UK. Protecting nests from predation and agricultural disturbance is critical for the welfare of this iconic bird.

Key Facts

The curlew is Europe's largest shorebird, with a distinctive long curved bill
UK breeding curlew populations have declined by 48% since 1994
Curlew nests are highly vulnerable to predation by foxes, crows, and badgers
The incubation period is around 30 days - a long time on an exposed moorland or meadow nest
Chick mortality is high: only around one chick per pair survives to fledging in unmanaged areas
Headstarting (taking eggs for captive rearing) is used experimentally to boost wild populations

Welfare Considerations

Curlews that lose nests to predation experience clear behavioural signs of distress - persistent calling, searching behaviour, and disrupted flock dynamics. The welfare cost extends across the whole breeding season as pairs attempt to re-nest. Nest protection schemes using electric fences around nest sites have shown dramatic improvements in hatching success, directly reducing both curlew suffering and population decline.

What You Can Do

Support Curlew Country and other curlew recovery organisations
Donate to headstarting programmes if you are comfortable with managed conservation
Avoid moorland and meadow areas marked with curlew nesting signs in spring
Advocate for predator control where curlew populations are at risk
Report curlew nest disturbance to your local wildlife trust