Wildlife

Curlew Welfare: Breeding Recovery in the UK 2026

The Eurasian curlew is near extinction as a breeding bird in many parts of England and Wales, and active recovery programmes are essential to halt welfare impacts from population collapse.

Key Facts

UK breeding curlew numbers have declined by around 48% since 1994
England and Wales have lost around 80% of their breeding population in recent decades
Curlews nest on wet grassland, upland heath and moorland and require long vegetation-free areas for foraging chicks
Headstarting programmes rearing chicks and releasing them have been piloted with some success

Welfare Considerations

Low productivity from predation of eggs and chicks by foxes, crows and badgers is the primary driver of UK breeding population decline. Habitat loss from upland drainage and agricultural intensification reduces suitable nesting and foraging habitat. Individual birds experience welfare impacts from nest failure, chick predation and poor body condition from declining food availability. Intensive management at remaining strongholds is critical.

What You Can Do

Support the Curlew Country project and other headstarting and conservation programmes
Advocate for predator management and habitat restoration at key curlew breeding sites
Record curlew nesting attempts and submit data to national monitoring programmes
Donate to BTO, RSPB and Curlew Country for breeding population recovery work