Wildlife

Wild Curlew Winter Welfare

Curlew wintering on UK estuaries and wet grassland require undisturbed feeding access to maintain condition for the return migration to upland breeding grounds.

Key Facts

UK curlew winter in large numbers on estuaries and coastal grassland from October to March
Estuarine invertebrates including ragworms and bivalves form the primary winter diet
Disturbance from birdwatchers, dogs and recreation repeatedly displaces birds from feeding areas
Spring migration begins from February, requiring birds to accumulate fat reserves during winter
Disturbance budget analysis shows that repeated flushing reduces winter body condition significantly

Welfare Considerations

Curlew winter welfare depends on undisturbed access to productive estuarine feeding. Reducing recreational disturbance on key estuaries and maintaining intertidal habitat quality are the most effective interventions.

What You Can Do

Give estuarine curlew flocks generous space and avoid approaching to flush them
Record curlew winter numbers through WeBS estuary counts
Support estuarine habitat protection that maintains intertidal feeding quality for wintering waders