Wildlife

Wild Stone Curlew Welfare and Breeding

Stone curlews are rare UK breeding birds dependent on chalk downland and arable land with open bare ground, requiring careful habitat management and protection from disturbance.

Key Facts

UK stone curlew populations are approximately 600 breeding pairs, restricted to Suffolk, Norfolk and Wiltshire
They require open short-vegetation habitats with bare ground for nesting and chick rearing
Nest protection through farmer cooperation and RSPB advisory services is highly effective
Chicks are mobile from birth and follow parents to feeding areas with beetles and invertebrates
Conservation partnership between RSPB and farmers has doubled the stone curlew population since 1985

Welfare Considerations

Stone curlew welfare recovery through farmer partnership demonstrates successful human-wildlife coexistence. Individual pairs receive nest protection that directly improves breeding success.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB Stone Curlew Recovery Programme through donation
Respect seasonal access restrictions at stone curlew breeding areas
Record stone curlew sightings through BTO surveys to support population monitoring