Curlew numbers are in steep decline because too few chicks survive to fledge. In Cumbria, breeding populations have fallen by 50% in 25 years. Monitoring in parts of South Lakeland from 2020–2022 showed near-total breeding failure: 80% of nests were lost to predation or farming operations, and most chicks that hatched did not survive. Climate change and extreme weather are adding further pressure. Without our actions, breeding curlews could disappear from our landscape.

We find and protect curlew nests with electric fences, work with farmers to avoid accidental losses during operations, manage predation, monitor chicks and engage local people in curlew recovery. This approach increased fledging success from 4 chicks in 2023 to 19 in 2024 and 27 in 2025, showing that local declines can be reversed and helping create a future where curlews once again breed, survive and thrive across South Lakeland’s farms and fields.