Curlew recovery partnership

The future of curlew looks rosier after the launch, in March, of an initiative that brings together conservationists, farmers, landowners, gamekeepers and policymakers. The Curlew Recovery Partnership intends to “get people connected to vital contacts and advice”, according to its manager, Russell Wynn. It will also talk to DEFRA about including curlew-friendly activities within the upcoming Environmental Land Management Schemes and, in the longer term, look at how to join isolated curlew sites, monitor the effectiveness of different management actions and examine the root of the worst pressures on the species.

A co-ordinated approach is critical to help save the bird. “There is increasing recognition that curlews require extensive landscapes to thrive,” explains Wynn. “Consequently, the development of farmer clusters or groups of landowners can really benefit curlews.”