Photo by Tony Pope
Curlew Fieldworkers' Toolkit
The Online Curlew Fieldworker Toolkit, created with the Curlew Recovery Partnership, is a free resource designed to support everyone working with Curlews in the field. It brings together practical advice, and techniques on nest finding, nest protection, monitoring chicks and counting fledgelings, engaging with landowners, drones and apps and much more. Whether you’re a volunteer, researcher or land manager, the toolkit gives you the knowledge and confidence to take effective action for Curlews.
Fact sheets in the Toolkit include:
1. Basic Field
2. Curlew Identification
3. Curlew Vocalisations and Behaviour
4. Land Manager Liaison
5. Mitigating Disturbance
6. Curlew Roost Monitoring
The remaining nine factsheets relate to work at or around the nest - they are available upon request, but will need to be accompanied by a short statement outlining the location where you are conducting fieldwork, the project you are supporting (if applicable), and the name of a recognised authority who can support your statement (e.g. a Curlew researcher, wader group co-ordinator or licensed BTO ringer).
Note that you will be responsible for securing the necessary permits and permissions to conduct the planned fieldwork. To request these factsheets, please email hello@curlewrecovery.org
On-Request Factsheets
Nest Finding using Field Observation
Nest Finding using Rope Dragging
Processing an Active Nest
Processing an Empty Nest
Estimating Hatching Date
Temperature Loggers
Nest Cameras
Nest Fencing
Radio-tracking Curlew Chicks
Curlew Action is working with the CRP to design a work programme to expand and update the Toolkit resources as best practice and research evolves.
Workshops and training videos
Curlew Action is working with the Curlew Recovery Partnership to produce training videos and run workshops for those wanting to develop skills in Curlew conservation.
supporting work on the ground
Curlew Action supports field workers running practical projects to protect and conserve Curlews. For instance, we have helped Curlew Country pay for their hugely important work headstarting Curlew chicks.
Photo credit: A Bicheno, Curlew Country
Policy work
Curlew Action is a member of the Curlew Recovery Partnership (CRP) England, and our Director chairs the partnership. The work of the CRP involves pushing for stronger policy to protect Curlews in England, including improved Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) to protect Curlews.
Curlew Action is also working with other organisations in the drafting of a UK Curlew Action Plan, which is expected to be complete by the end of 2025.