Wildlife

Eurasian Curlew Coastal Wintering Welfare

Curlews wintering on UK estuaries face disturbance, habitat loss and food shortages that compound breeding season declines.

Key Facts

UK curlew population declined over 60% since 1970
Estuaries hold most of UK wintering curlew population
Invertebrate prey availability depends on intertidal mudflat quality
Disturbance from recreation forces birds to flee and lose feeding time
Cold snaps can make prey inaccessible leading to starvation risk

Welfare Considerations

Disturbance events disrupt foraging at critical tidal windows causing cumulative energy deficits. Birds unable to meet daily energy needs suffer physiological stress and reduced survival through winter.

What You Can Do

Support estuary SSSI protections and management
Keep dogs on leads near estuarine bird feeding areas
Join BTO Wetland Bird Survey monitoring effort
Advocate for disturbance bylaws at key wintering sites