Wildlife

Wild Curlew Breeding Welfare and Conservation

Curlews are facing severe population decline and are at risk of extinction as a UK breeding bird without urgent conservation action.

Key Facts

UK breeding curlew population has declined by 48% over 25 years
Curlews nest on upland heath and lowland wet grassland habitats
Chick survival rates are critically low due to predation and habitat degradation
Curlew eggs and chicks are highly vulnerable to corvid and fox predation
Partnership schemes including Curlew Country and Curlew Action are restoring populations at key sites

Welfare Considerations

Curlew chick death from predation is both a welfare and conservation emergency. Chicks are preyed on during their most vulnerable period by corvids and foxes in habitats that have become unsuitable. Adult curlews defending nests against predators experience significant stress and energy expenditure. Conservation interventions including targeted predator management and habitat restoration reduce predation pressure and improve individual chick survival and welfare.

What You Can Do

Support Curlew Country and Curlew Action through donation or volunteering
Report curlew sightings to local wildlife trusts and conservation bodies
Advocate for curlew-friendly agri-environment schemes in upland management policy