Stone curlews are rare breeding visitors to chalk grassland and arable fields in southern England. They nest directly on bare ground and are highly vulnerable to agricultural operations, requiring coordination between farmers and conservation bodies.
Stone curlew chicks killed or orphaned by farm machinery die from direct trauma or subsequent starvation and predation. Adults repeatedly flushed from nests by agricultural operations experience prolonged stress and may abandon attempts. The species dependence on bare arable ground means that nest protection requires active cooperation between farmers and conservationists, with welfare outcomes directly linked to that relationship quality.