Wildlife

Stone Curlew Welfare in Breckland and Chalk Downland

The stone curlew is one of the UK's most distinctive summer visitors, nesting on open disturbed ground and requiring specialised management to protect nests from farming operations.

Key Facts

Stone curlews are the UK's only member of the thick-knee family
UK population approximately 400 pairs concentrated in the Brecks and Wessex chalk downlands
They nest on bare ground and are highly vulnerable to agricultural cultivation
Nest marking by farmers and conservationists prevents many nest destructions
Stone curlews winter in West Africa and Spain returning in March-April

Welfare Considerations

Stone curlew welfare during the breeding season depends on close cooperation between farmers and conservation organisations to identify and protect nests before cultivation. Nest destruction by machinery causes egg and chick mortality. Disturbance by visitors causes nest abandonment. Climate change may affect their wintering grounds and migration. The collaborative nest protection programme in the Brecks exemplifies effective welfare-positive conservation.

What You Can Do

Support RSPB stone curlew conservation programme in the Brecks
Respect site closures and access restrictions at stone curlew nesting areas
Participate in stone curlew survey schemes during the breeding season
Support farmer participation in nest protection agreements
Advocate for agri-environment schemes that benefit stone curlews and other ground-nesting birds