Photo by Dirk Perry
Curlew Action CEO Mary Colwell, some of our Trustees, and a number of our friends and supporters regularly publish articles, books and academic papers. In this section we aim to keep you updated with a selection of those, either presenting them in full where possible, or providing a summary and details on obtaining the full work. Click on an image to read full article.
Curlews in Crisis
Published in 2023 by Mary Colwell. Some conservation efforts focus on saving particular species from extinction, but what happens when a whole group of birds is under serious threat? Of the world’s eight curlew species, two have already disappeared and others could go the same way unless we act rapidly to mitigate the threats they face.
Name that plant in order to save it
Published in 2023 by Mary Colwell. A GCSE in natural history will be available in the UK by September 2025. As it is still a work in progress, it is difficult to say how many schools will decide to offer it, or how many children will take it if they do; but if enthusiasm is a measure of uptake, it could be very popular.
Bringing nature to the classroom
Published in 2022. A new natural history GCSE will be on the curriculum from 2025 to inspire the younger generation – Anna Shepard meets Mary Colwell, who led the campaign for it to be introduced.
A summary of Curlew Conservation in Britain
Published in 2022, Ellen Bradley reflects on the threats facing our curlew population and what is being done to turn things around.
Audit of local studies of breeding Curlew and other waders in Britain and Ireland (British Trust for Ornithology)
Published in 2020, this audit compiles information about local curlew studies.
Faith in nature (BBC Wildlife Magazine)
Mary Colwell examines the role the religions of the world have to play in conservation.
Curlew conservation efforts are essential (The Guardian)
Mary Colwell reflects on why we should be hopeful despite the curlew's devastating decline.
Curlew Moon (Mary Colwell)
Written by our founder and CEO, Mary Colwell, following her 500-mile walk to explore the plight of the Curlew. Click image to read an interview with Mary about Curlew Moon.
Exam For Life (Shooting Times)
Mary Colwell makes the case for a new GCSE in natural history in order to teach children about wildlife.
The Economics of Biodiversity: The Dasgupta Review (HM Treasury)
This groundbreaking independent report, published in February 2021, applies an economic framework to our declining natural world to argue that it is in our best interests to protect it.
A transdisciplinary approach to a conservation crisis: A case study of the Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata) in Ireland (Young et al.)
Published April 2020, this study takes a look at promising transdisciplinary approaches to protecting Ireland's declining curlews.
The bloody truth about conservation: we need to talk about killing (The Guardian)
Mary Colwell reflects that a civilised debate on predator control is required to protect wild species in decline.
Curlews in Crisis (British Wildlife Magazine)
Mary Colwell reflects on her epic 500-mile walk to highlight the plight of the Curlew.
