Wildlife

Curlew Welfare and Breeding Recovery in 2026

The curlew faces catastrophic decline and is considered one of the most pressing conservation crises in UK wildlife, with welfare and breeding success dependent on urgent habitat restoration.

Key Facts

Curlew populations have declined approximately 65% since the 1970s in the UK
They are now amber-listed with fewer than 60000 breeding pairs remaining
Curlews require large areas of unfragmented wet grassland, moorland or damp farmland for breeding
Nest survival is very low with only about 20% of nests producing chicks in some areas
Predation management and habitat restoration are both required for population recovery

Welfare Considerations

Curlew welfare during breeding depends on access to large undisturbed areas with appropriate vegetation structure for nesting and foraging. Their slow reproductive rate means each nest failure has significant population-level implications. Disturbance from farming operations, recreational access and predators causes nest abandonment. The curlew's long bill is a specialised tool for probing wet soil; habitat drying reduces food availability and welfare.

What You Can Do

Support Curlew Country and other curlew recovery programmes
Respect buffer zones around known curlew nesting areas in spring
Advocate for wet grassland restoration and management in curlew range
Participate in curlew surveys to track population changes
Support farming practices that protect curlew nests during agricultural operations