The Curlew Conservation Programme involves locally based teams of advisors, community engagement and nest protection officers, working closely with landowners and other local interests, to protect Curlew nesting attempts and to improve habitat quality. The programme places the landowner and the birds at the centre of all considerations, with key goals of giving the Curlews a better chance of rearing chicks and stopping the population sliding further towards extinction.
The annual report for 2023 of the Curlew Conservation Programme is now available. The annual reports for 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are also available.
The programme is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine.
Beteween 2017 and 2022, the Curlew Conservation Programme focussed on nine of the most important areas in Ireland for breeding Curlew, including the Stack’s Mountains in Kerry, Lough Ree, Roscommon/Mayo, Leitrim, North Monaghan, Donegal, Lough Corrib, Slieve Aughties and Laois/Kildare. In each of these areas, local teams surveyed for Curlew, engaged in nest protection efforts and liaised with landowners. Funding was made available for landowners and communities to engage in efforts on the programme, including habitat improvement works.
Curlew Action Teams
- Stack's Mountain
- Lough Ree
- North Roscommon-East Mayo
- Mid Co. Leitrim / North East Roscommon
- North Monaghan
- Donegal
- North Lough Corrib
- Sliabh Aughty Mountains
- Laois (Sliabh Blooms) and Kildare
Landowners and members of the public are asked to get in touch with the Agri-Ecology Unit of NPWS, by emailing Agri.Ecology@npws.gov.ie, if they would like to let the project know of any Curlew sightings during the summer or if they would like to get involved with the project or engage in habitat improvement works.