Wading Bird Welfare: Curlew and Snipe Conservation

Curlew and snipe are wading birds of wet grassland and moorland facing serious population pressures. Their welfare needs are intertwined with the ecological health of the wetland habitats they depend on.

Key Facts

Curlew populations have declined by 48% in the UK since the 1990s - one of our most urgent bird conservation crises
The UK holds around 68,000 breeding pairs - over 25% of the global European breeding population
Snipe populations have declined on lowland wet grassland with drainage the primary cause
Both species nest on the ground making them vulnerable to predation and agricultural disturbance
Curlew have the lowest nesting success rate of any UK wader with only 20% of nests producing chicks
Predator management on grouse moors incidentally benefits curlew by reducing fox and crow numbers
Wet grassland restoration through blocking drains raises water tables needed for invertebrate-rich soil
Curlew egg collection from threatened nests and headstarting programs are being piloted for recovery

Welfare Considerations

Curlew and snipe welfare is inseparable from the condition of their wetland and moorland habitats. Nesting birds on drained grassland face reduced invertebrate availability - the soil probe feeding that curlew depend on requires soft, moist ground. Chick survival on intensively managed grassland is reduced by predation and disturbance during agricultural operations. Ground-nesting birds are particularly vulnerable to silage cutting - chicks and eggs are killed directly. The dramatic decline in curlew breeding success means that many pairs invest substantial energy in breeding attempts that ultimately fail, a welfare cost alongside the conservation significance. Nest failure events where parents lose chicks to predation or agricultural operations cause loss of investment and require recovery before renesting.

What You Can Do

Support Curlew Country and RSPB curlew conservation programs with donations
Advocate for wet grassland restoration through agri-environment scheme requirements
Report curlew and snipe sightings to BTO BirdTrack to support monitoring
Support appropriate predator management on moorland and wet grassland for wader benefit
Engage with farmers about late cutting dates and nest marking programs
Donate to organizations conducting headstarting programs for critically low curlew populations