Wildlife

Wild Curlew Conservation and Breeding Welfare

Curlews are one of the UK's most rapidly declining breeding waders, with welfare implications from predation, agricultural intensification, and disturbance.

Key Facts

UK curlew breeding population has declined by 50% since the 1990s
Curlews nest on moorland and rough grassland from March to July
Nest predation by foxes and corvids is a primary cause of breeding failure
Curlew breeding success requires 50%+ chick survival, rarely achieved without management
Upland afforestation has removed significant curlew breeding habitat

Welfare Considerations

Curlew breeding failure causes welfare costs to parent birds that have invested months of effort, and chick mortality that may involve prolonged suffering. Active management including predator control and habitat restoration at key sites can achieve the breeding success rates needed for population stability.

What You Can Do

Support Curlew Country and similar curlew recovery organisations
Advocate for upland habitat restoration and predator management at curlew sites
Report curlew nest sites to local conservation organisations for monitoring