A press release by Welsh Government on the GWCT-led Curlew Connections Wales Project
“It was great to have the Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies out at the Curlew Connections Wales Project, which we at GWCT Wales are leading on working in partnership with Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority and Clwydian Range National Landscape.
“He saw the work that is being done to tackle the key issues driving the low breeding success of curlew across Wales, one of which being the predation of eggs and chicks. Predation management is key when you are approaching extinction of a species, as every egg, chick or fledgling lost has a significant impact on the survival of that species.
“Predation poses a significant threat to Curlew at all stages of the breeding season, driven largely by high densities of generalist predators within the landscape.
“When curlew and other ground nesting birds return to having a healthy thriving population, the need to control predators will become less critical.” Come and find out more about the Curlew Connections project at our GWCT stand at the Royal Welsh Show on Wednesday when all the partners will be there to answer questions and there will be a panel discussion from 2pm – 3pm.
Curlew Connections Wales is a wader conservation project supported by Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Fund, delivered by the Heritage Lottery Fund. One million pounds has been allocated to support breeding curlew across Wales.
It aims to tackle the key issues driving the low breeding success of curlew in Wales, monitoring and understanding curlew populations, implementing nest protection, predator management and habitat works.
With breeding curlew predicted to be extinct in Wales by 2033, an important aspect of the project is to connect the landscape and people to these iconic birds.