Wild Curlew Chick Welfare on Farmland

Eurasian curlew chicks require species-rich wet grassland with abundant invertebrates, and farmland management is critical to reducing chick starvation and predation.

Key Facts

UK curlew populations have declined by 48% since 1995, qualifying for red list conservation status
Curlew chicks are precocial and follow parents to invertebrate-rich feeding areas immediately after hatching
Drainage of wet grassland reduces crane fly, earthworm and beetle larvae availability for chick feeding
Predation management including fox and carrion crow control increases chick survival rates
Agri-environment schemes funding wet grassland creation are critical to curlew breeding success

Welfare Considerations

Curlew chick welfare depends on insect-rich wet grassland that has largely been drained or improved. Targeted agri-environment investment and predator management offer the best near-term welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Support agri-environment schemes creating wet grassland for curlew breeding
Report curlew breeding attempts to the RSPB and BTO to contribute to monitoring
Donate to curlew recovery programmes working with farmers to improve nesting habitat