The iconic and much-loved Eurasian Curlew is in serious decline. The curlew’s distinctive call signals spring like no other, but the UK population has fallen by a staggering 48% over a 25-year period between 1995 and 2020 and added to the UK red list for threatened species with the highest conservation priority in 2015.

They’re a familiar sight across Nidderdale National Landscape, however, while adult curlews return to the area each February, their presence is likely masking a sharp decline in breeding success here too.

It is tempting to assume that because we see numbers of adult curlews, populations are stable. But what really matters is the number of fledged chicks at the end of summer – those are the birds that will sustain the population in the future.

A recent study shows that breeding success on farms is poor; the curlews we see are largely likely to be mature adults without enough young to replace them. If this trend continues, we could face a sudden and catastrophic decline.

Without concerted effort, Nidderdale National Landscape’s curlews could follow the same trajectory. Parts of England, such as Dartmoor, are already seeing the possibility of local extinction. Research by the Northern Upland Chain Local Nature Partnership (NUC LNP) highlights Nidderdale National Landscape’s importance: 49% of England and Wales’ breeding curlew population is found within just 4.9% of the land area, including Nidderdale National Landscape.

Yet despite this, breeding failures are widespread, largely due to farming intensification, landscape changes, and increased predation.

We need your help to save the curlew