Wildlife Welfare

Wild Curlew Chick Welfare and Conservation Recovery

Eurasian curlews are one of Europe's most rapidly declining bird species, and protecting curlew chicks during their vulnerable ground-nesting phase is critical to population recovery.

Key Facts

Curlew populations have declined by over 65% in the UK since the 1970s
Nest failure from predation and agricultural disturbance is the primary cause of decline
Curlew chicks are precocial but vulnerable for 5-6 weeks after hatching
Head-starting programmes where eggs are hatched in captivity show some success
Upland grassland management and predator control can improve nest survival rates

Welfare Considerations

Curlew chicks face enormous predation pressure from foxes, corvids and other predators during their most vulnerable weeks. Conservation interventions including nest protection, predator management and head-starting help individual chicks survive what would otherwise be fatal encounters. Each successfully fledged chick represents not just a population gain but avoided suffering.

What You Can Do

Support curlew conservation organisations working on nest protection
Donate to head-starting programmes that boost curlew chick survival
Advocate for farming policies that protect upland habitats for ground-nesting birds