Wildlife

Wild Curlew Breeding Disturbance Welfare

Curlews are one of Europe's most rapidly declining wading birds, with breeding welfare affected by predation, habitat change, and human disturbance at nest sites.

Key Facts

UK curlew populations declined 65% between 1994 and 2020
Curlews need extensive wet grassland and moorland for successful breeding
Nest failure from crow and fox predation is higher in fragmented agricultural landscapes
Human and dog disturbance causes nest abandonment and chick separation
Curlew recovery programmes involving headstarting and predator management show early promise

Welfare Considerations

Curlew chick welfare is compromised by nest predation and disturbance. Habitat management and predator control in key areas prevent welfare failures affecting a critically declining species.

What You Can Do

Keep dogs on leads in curlew breeding areas from March to July
Support curlew conservation projects through donations
Report curlew sightings and breeding behaviour to monitoring schemes
Advocate for agri-environment funding maintaining wet grassland curlew habitat