Wildlife Conservation

Wild Curlew Breeding Conservation

Curlews are the UK's most urgent bird conservation priority with populations declining by 48% in 25 years. Breeding on wet grassland and moorland requires targeted habitat management and predation control.

Key Facts

UK curlew breeding population has declined by approximately 48% between 1994 and 2020
Curlews have one of the lowest breeding success rates of any UK wader species
Predation by foxes and crows at nest and chick stage is a primary cause of breeding failure
Upland moorland drainage and agricultural improvement have removed essential breeding habitat
Curlew-friendly farming schemes provide payments for maintaining wet grassland habitat

Welfare Considerations

Curlew conservation is at a critical point where population decline may become irreversible without urgent intervention. The welfare of each breeding bird and chick in a diminishing population carries exceptional conservation significance.

What You Can Do

Support Curlew Country and RSPB curlew conservation projects financially
Advocate for curlew-specific agri-environment scheme funding at sufficient scale
Record curlew sightings and breeding observations to support population monitoring