Wildlife

Curlew Conservation: Breeding Welfare and Recovery

The Eurasian curlew is now one of the UK's most threatened breeding birds, with welfare and conservation challenges linked to agricultural change and predation.

Key Facts

UK curlew breeding numbers have declined by over 60% in 30 years
Nests are ground-laid and highly vulnerable to predator and farm machinery disturbance
Curlew chicks are precocial and follow parents from hatching
Loss of wet grassland and upland moorland has removed key breeding habitat

Welfare Considerations

Nest destruction by machinery and predation causes nest failure and chick mortality. Conservation headstarting programmes rescue eggs and hand-rear chicks, raising welfare questions around imprinting and release.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes that protect curlew nesting habitat
Advocate for predator management that is humane and evidenced
Follow and share curlew conservation research and monitoring projects