Saving Curlews at Ysbyty Ifan and Hiraethog
The Welsh Project Area straddles the upper Conwy Valley and the remote moors to the east of the A5 known as Hiraethog. The site comprises of a mix of farmland, upland moorland, blanket bog and ffridd habitats. The area attracts a range of birdlife including waders, raptors and song birds.
The north Wales moors landscape supports the largest breeding population in Wales, 38 – 47 breeding pairs equating to roughly 10% of the countries breeding population. The 'State of Birds in Wales 2018' report indicated that “more than three quarters of the Welsh curlew population has disappeared over the last 25 years, with no hint of this trend levelling out”.
The project will work with the local farming community to deliver a range of activities including monitoring the existing curlew population and improving habitat for curlew through the creation of wet areas, rush cutting and controlled grazing. Another important component will be engaging with the communities to spread enthusiasm and passion for curlew conservation in the area and secure the future of curlew long-term.
Photo by Tony Pope
Why this project matters.
A look at the stats.
If things don’t improve for curlew in Wales, they are predicted to go extinct in Wales by 2033.
Image gallery
Photo by Tony Pope
Photo by Tony Pope
Photo by Tony Pope
Photo by Tony Pope
Project successes
June 2021
We found our first chicks of the year on the 2nd
February 2021
Project Officer Lucy Foster starts
Video gallery
Our partners
The Curlews in Crisis project is managed by the RSPB with generous support from the EU LIFE programme and the following project partners; Cairngorms Connect, Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme, Natural Resources Wales and NIEA-DAERA.
Cairngorms Connect is part of the Endangered Landscapes Programme, which is managed by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative in partnership with Arcadia - a charitable fund of Lisbet Rousing and Peter Baldwin.
Fellfoot Forward Landscape Partnership Scheme is led by North Pennines AONB Partnership and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Additional funding has also been received from the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund. The fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
