Ahead of World Curlew Day, we spoke with Jon Avon, the Duchy’s Curlew Recovery Project Officer. Jon is working to restore one of the UK’s most iconic yet endangered bird species. Learn more about the species as Jon shares his insights into the curlew’s decline, the challenges of conservation, and the hope driving efforts on Dartmoor.

Curlews are the largest wading bird in the UK, recognised by their long-curved bill and long legs. They are often seen in large flocks during the winter on estuaries. In the spring and summer, curlews return inland to nest on farmland, heaths and upland moors, where their beautiful ‘bubbling’ song echoes across the landscape. They are in serious decline, and 25% of Europe’s curlew population breeds in the UK.

Curlews are an iconic species associated with wild, open spaces and landscapes. In spring, the sound of their bubbling song and undulating display flight is a welcome sight and sound. However, their decline has meant that many areas have lost the calls and song, making the curlew recovery project critical to boosting the population and returning the species across the Dartmoor landscape.

The first curlew nest on Dartmoor was found on 11th May 1886. Their population of about 30 pairs was stable throughout the 1970’s and 80’s, however, since 1990, numbers declined rapidly and nesting areas have been abandoned. The last few pairs have returned and nested on East Dartmoor since 2005, but only five chicks have fledged successfully.

As ground nesting birds, habitat management is crucial to provide suitable nesting and feeding conditions, however evidence shows that the loss of curlew eggs and chicks from carrion crows and foxes is the biggest threat to breeding success. There is a need for each pair of curlews to produce one chick a year to stabilise the curlew population, we’re hoping our work can support this!

Conservation measures for curlew are varied but mostly require vegetation management, habitat improvements and creation e.g. new ponds and wetland areas to help nesting areas, predator management e.g. carrion crow removal to protect eggs, installing fencing to deter predators, signage, footpath diversions and wardening to help reduce visitor pressure around breeding areas.

Curlew conservation strategies can be identified and implemented across a landscape, however whether they work or not is the test. I often refer to the following saying when questioned about strategy:

From March to July, my role is undertaking fieldwork across many locations and sites across Dartmoor. This involves several hours of walking and observing curlew behaviour, nesting activity, predators and land use. My plans are weather dependant, and I maximise the best weather as wet and windy days are not recommended!

I invest a lot of time working with Dartmoor landowners and partner organisations to ensure good working relationships and getting the best results in the future for both the birds and the landowners.

The role title and the project outcomes seem straight forward however in reality there are two factors that have emerged:

• Most outcomes of the project are out of our control because we are dealing with natural circumstances with wild birds/ weather patterns /predators etc.

• The timescale for curlew recovery takes much longer than first envisaged due to their long lifespan, survival patterns and other aspects of curlew ecology that is being uncovered through this project.

In 2016, I watched a fledged curlew take its maiden flight and that remains a unique memory which still gives me hope that we can help their population recover and increase.