UK Curlew Conservation: Wet Grassland, Moorland, and Population Decline

The curlew is in severe decline across the UK and is now a red-listed species of high conservation concern. It is considered one of the most urgent conservation challenges in British ornithology.

Key Facts

UK curlew population has declined by over 50% since the 1970s
England has lost around 70% of its curlew breeding population in the same period
Curlews nest on wet grassland and moorland, raising typically 2-4 chicks per year
Nest failure from predation and agricultural operations is the primary cause of decline
Curlews have one of the highest site fidelity rates of any UK wader
BTO population model suggests curlews will be extinct as a UK breeding bird within 10 years without intervention

Welfare Considerations

Curlew chicks that fail to fledge experience the full welfare costs of developmental failure - starvation and predation. Adult curlews are highly site-faithful and return year after year to sites that may no longer support successful breeding, investing energy in repeated failed breeding attempts. The existential threat to the UK breeding population represents a welfare crisis at population scale. Nest protection interventions that allow more chicks to fledge are direct welfare improvements for the individuals involved.

What You Can Do

Support Curlew Country and similar nest protection volunteer schemes
Avoid off-road vehicles and recreational disturbance of wet grassland and moorland
Contribute curlew survey data through BTO BirdTrack
Advocate for agri-environment funding that supports wet grassland management
Support predator management in key curlew breeding areas through legitimate means