Curlew Welfare in the UK: Conservation Crisis
The curlew (Numenius arquata) is the UK's most threatened breeding bird, with welfare decline driven by upland and lowland habitat changes.
Key Facts
- UK curlew population has declined by over 65% since the 1970s
- Chick survival is critically low due to predation and habitat loss
- Breeding in both upland moorland and lowland wet grassland
- The species has one of the longest bills of any British bird, highly specialized for probing mud
- Conservation breeding programs provide a safety net but cannot substitute for habitat recovery
Welfare Considerations
Curlew welfare decline reflects the degradation of both upland and lowland habitats. Drainage of wet grassland, intensification of moorland management, and high predation rates combine to produce breeding failure in most years in many areas. Individual curlews that survive the gauntlet of predators to fledge face further challenges from habitat loss on wintering grounds. Conservation action combining predator management, habitat restoration, and conservation breeding offers hope but requires sustained long-term commitment.
What You Can Do
- Support curlew conservation organizations with donations or volunteering
- Advocate for wet grassland restoration and management
- Keep dogs on leads in curlew nesting areas during breeding season
- Report curlew sightings to the Curlew Country project
- Support farmers who are managing land for curlew through agri-environment schemes