Curlews come to Eden every year to raise their chicks. With their hauntingly beautiful call and their distinctive long down-curved beak, they’re a much-loved visitor. For many people in Eden, they herald the return of spring.

However, we are on the brink of losing them. Curlews are in steep decline as a breeding bird in the UK. Although we’re still seeing them here in Eden, in all likelihood they are not managing to raise many chicks. That’s the sad picture around the UK, and it’s the main reason that their numbers are in freefall. 

But there is hope for Curlews if we take action now to help them to breed more successfully. A new community group called Curlews of Eden started in spring 2025 to help them do just that, supported by PACT. And you can help!

How you can help Eden’s Curlews

Report where you see them

Do you know of an area in Eden where there are Curlews during the spring and summer? 

Please get in touch with Curlews of Eden to let them know.

Volunteer with Curlews of Eden

Would you like to help give Eden’s Curlews a chance? There are lots of roles you could potentially do, depending on your circumstances. Here are a few ways you could help:

Monitoring – paying visits to a particular Curlew area during the breeding season to help work out whether they fledge any chicks

Nest fencing – putting up temporary electric fencing around nests to keep the eggs safe from mammal predators

Raising awareness – whether you’re a whizz with words or love giving talks, you could help spread the word about the plight of Curlews and what local people can do to help

Mapping – helping to map out areas where Curlews breed in Eden

Administration – tasks like helping to keep an eye on the Facebook group and email account; processing the monitoring information sent in by volunteers; helping to organise events/talks

Coordination – helping to organise the work of all the volunteers

How Curlews of Eden is helping these struggling birds

The group is very new, and finding its feet. During 2025, they took in reports from the public to map out Curlew breeding areas in Eden. The volunteers began to monitor the birds in two areas, to build a picture of how well they’re doing. 

The group is also raising awareness, with a number of talks planned for 2025 and 2026, as well as via social media and the local press. A big thank you to the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald for their coverage!

Other Curlew groups in Cumbria

There are already several established Curlew action groups in Cumbria:

• South Lakes (Facebook | Bluesky)
• Matterdale
• Melbreak 
• Orton
• Hartley nr Kirkby Stephen