Celebrating World Curlew Day 2023

Today is World Curlew day, where we pay homage to one of our favourite residents here at Gazegill. 

Curlews are ground-nesting waders preferring grassland with panoramic views to watch for predators, traditional hay meadows like those here at Gazegill are ideal habitat. 

To prepare for their arrival, we prepare the meadows with a light dressing of well-rotted compost to provide camouflage and food, and await for the first call of the Curlew which is usually in early February.

When the birds have arrived,  they will begin pairing for the breeding season, where the male birds can sometimes be seen doing a courtship dance. Emma was lucky enough to witness one of these recently, although the male bird didn't have much luck this time around.

The chicks will hatch between Spring and Summer, and will feed from worms, spiders and various bugs their parents find, until they are old enough to leave the nest and start hunting on the ground for themselves. 

We don't cut a single blade of grass until we know the Curlews have fledged and left us for the year, which is usually around July/August.

At Gazegill, we are extremely proud that Curlews choose to nest in our meadows each year. We see it as a subtle nod from mother nature to let us know we're on the right track!

We like to pay homage to the Curlew by having them front and centre on the boxes in which we send orders in.

Jan, one of our Border Collies, doesn't bow down to many things, but here she is bowing to the magnificent Curlew!

Unfortunately, these majestic birds are under threat due to habitat loss throughout their native countries, and are on the red list for endangered species.

The intensification of farming with a switch from hay meadows to silage fields has drastically reduced suitable habitat for the Curlew, and they now find themselves on the endangered list in the UK alongside 8 previously common birds.

In spite of this, our support for the Curlew will never dwindle, and we encourage other farmers to also help this bird become commonplace within UK wildlife once again.

By supporting us, you are helping to support the Curlew and all the other species our meadows are home to, thank you.