About Curlew Connections
Curlew Connections Wales is a wader conservation project supported by Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Fund, delivered by the Heritage Lottery Fund. One million pounds has been allocated to support breeding curlew in Wales, focusing on three ‘Important Curlew Areas’.
As a collaborative, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust is leading in Montgomeryshire and North Radnorshire alongside partners Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscapes working in the South Clwyd Mountains and Dee Valley area and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority working in the Usk Catchment and Llangorse Lake area.
Curlew Connections Wales aims to tackle the key issues driving the low breeding success of curlew in Wales, monitoring and understanding curlew populations within these three Important Curlew Areas, implementing nest protection, predator management and habitat works. With breeding curlew predicted to be extinct in Wales by 2033, an important aspect of the project is to connect the landscape and people to these iconic birds. A team of dedicated Curlew and People Officers will work closely with farmers, landowners and land managers, alongside contractors and a workforce of volunteers to improve the fledging success of local populations of curlew throughout Wales.
Important Curlew Areas (ICA’s)
In 2019 Gylfinir Cymru (Curlew Wales) at the recommendation of Welsh Government, prepared the Wales Action Plan for the Recovery of Curlew (learn more here: Recovery Plan | Curlew Wales). In this plan they outlined 12 Important Curlew Areas across Wales, these areas combine to represent possibly as much as 65% of the Welsh curlew breeding population.
The Curlew Connections Wales Project is focusing on three of these Important Curlew Area’s with a dedicated Curlew and People Officer heading the work on the ground in each area.
ICA 5 – South Clwyd Mountains and Dee Valley
Sam Kenyon Curlew and People Officer
samantha.kenyon@denbighshire.gov.uk 07795 616853
ICA 9 – Montgomeryshire and North Radnorshire
Katie Appleby Curlew and People Officer
kappleby@gwct.org.uk 07458 147148
ICA 12 – Usk Catchment and Llangorse Lake
Róisín Normanly Curlew and People Officer
roisin.normanly@beacons-npa.gov.uk 07811 009614
All three officers are extremely interested in connecting with the farming community, local community groups and schools in their areas that might want to get involved or learn more about the project. Please contact any of the officers through the details above to learn more, we do not charge fees and are able to host a range of activities at events or as workshops.
Why do Curlew need our help?
The Eurasian Curlew is declining globally, they are on the Red List as ‘Near Threatened’, with Curlew in Wales predicted to be extinct by 2033 (no longer viable breeding species). They are the most pressing bird conservation priority in Wales. It is believed currently the population of Curlew in Wales is declining at a rate of 6% per year.
The reason for this decline in Eurasian Curlew is because there is a lack of chicks making it to adulthood, across Wales it is expected that there are 0.2 chicks surviving the breeding season per pair per year. To sustain populations of curlew they need at least 0.5 chicks per pair per year. Curlews nest on the ground and this means that their nests and chicks are extremely vulnerable to a host of problems. There are many factors influencing this decline of Curlew in Wales. Below highlights some of the most significant factors:
There are many factors causing the decline of Curlew. Below highlights some of the most significant factors:
- Predation of nests and chicks
- Habitat Fragmentation – loss of suitable feeding and breeding habitats
- Tree Planting – tree cover provides cover and perches for potential predators as well as reducing the open landscape curlew like
- Drainage of damp ground – lack of feeding areas
- Food availability – reduction in insect numbers meaning less food to support chicks
- Agriculture – advancements in machinery, disturbance or trampling of stock and changes in land use
Curlew Connections is working with landowners, farmers and local communities across Wales to help save this magnificent species. Without the participation from everyone the curlew will not continue to carry their elusive call across our Welsh landscape. Always report sightings of curlew (Report a Curlew – Wales – GWCT Wales or to your Local Records Centre), just knowing where curlew are being seen can be of huge benefit to understanding their status.
Curlew Connections is working with Landowner, Farmers and Local Communities across Wales to help save this magnificent species.
What are we doing to support Welsh breeding curlew?
As part of the three-year project funded by Welsh Government, the Curlew Connections Wales team are working on the ground in the three ICA’s. Connecting with farmers, landowners, the local community and schools. Here are some ways we are achieving this:
On the ground:
Conducting surveys across the project areas to locate curlew during the breeding season (March – August), to understand potential breeding sites and breeding status. Where nests are located, and landowner permission is granted electric fences can be installed around the nest to reduce potential predation from mammalian predators and disturbance from livestock. If you would like to volunteer with the Curlew Connections Wales project to assist with Predation management of foxes and carrion crows under the general license around breeding territories. Foxes and crows are known to be some of the highest predators of ground nesting birds, by managing the number of these species in areas we know there are breeding curlews we give the birds a fighting chance to produce chicks. The breeding season for curlew is extremely vulnerable, for four weeks the adults are protecting their nest against disturbance, predation or damage. If the eggs make it to hatch the adults must then protect their chicks for a further 4-6 weeks before they are able to fly.
Farmers and Landowners:
We are supporting farmers and landowners with funding and advice to improve habitat and protect nesting curlews. There is financial support for engagement with the project allowing the team land access to survey for curlew. Other actions covered include:
- Nest fencing – where nests are fenced with electric fencing there is a payment to cover loss of grazing/habitat.
- Delayed cutting/grazing – payments for delaying agricultural activities where nests or chicks are present.
- Scrub, bracken and rush cutting – maintaining an open grassland or moorland habitat.
- Scrape creation and maintenance – creating wet features in the landscape to provide food sources for chicks and adults.
- Predator management – targeted control of crows and foxes within curlew breeding territories.
Get in touch with your local Curlew and People Officer if you have curlew nesting/feeding on your land or report a curlew on your land in Wales here: Report a Curlew – Wales – GWCT Wales
Local community:
Curlew are an iconic species, recognised widely for their iconic call. There are 24 names for curlew in Welsh, which highlights their place in the Welsh language and landscape.
A huge aim of the project is to connect people with curlew, throughout the year our Curlew and People Officers work with community groups, schools and organisations to spread the plight of curlew. Conducting talks, activities, attending events and writing updates for newspapers and letters. The three officers are always keen to get involved in any way that they can to support community events, talk about the work they are doing in your area and also provide lessons and activities for schools and youth groups. *Free of charge*
Curlew Connections Wales have school packs and care home (Curlew Resources – Activity Packs) across the three project areas. If your school or home would like to receive one of these free packs, please contact your local Curlew and People Officer.