The Curlew Connections Wales project is yet another example of how working collaboratively with farmers and providing support is proving to be beneficial for breeding curlew.
It aims to challenge the key issues driving the low breeding success of curlew in Wales by monitoring and understanding curlew populations. GWCT is leading in Montgomeryshire alongside partners in the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley National Landscapes and Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
Credit: Katie Appleby (2023)
GWCT covers Important Curlew Area (ICA) 9 in Montgomeryshire, where Katie Appleby the Curlew and People Officer is working on the ground with contractors and volunteers. Essential components of this project include monitoring and surveying known curlew areas, actively engaging with farmers and the public, while also providing support to farmers and implementing measures that increases curlew hatch success and chick survival.
This project requires strong collaboration and teamwork. The first step is to identify potential curlew territories, then contact the farmer/landowner to ask if they are willing to provide access to their land, this enables the team to monitor and assess the breeding status of the curlew. If a nest is located options for nest protection can be discussed with the landowner and financial support is incorporated with this.
Giving farmers financial and informative support is proving to be effective, this is used to compensate for any management changes that the farmer may need to make, such as delaying silage cutting for nests or areas where chicks are feeding. This is an excellent example of how farmers can be supported and has shown the team their passion for curlew and interest in the project. Further support to farmers will include events and training on how to support curlew, along with predation control training.
If you would like to learn more about this project, or report a curlew on your land please visit Curlew Connections.