Boots on the Ground: How Predator Control is Saving the Curlew

Rob Beeson
Dec 5, 2025
5 min read

In the ongoing fight to protect our most treasured wildlife, tangible success stories are the currency of hope. The case study of the Glenwherry area of Northern Ireland's Antrim Plateau is a story of immense value.

It stands as a powerful, real-world testament to effective conservation in action, delivering a decisive rebuttal to the narrative of irreversible decline for our endangered ground-nesting birds. You can watch a short video about it here:

The Curlew, with its haunting call and distinctive silhouette, is a beloved but deeply vulnerable species facing immense pressure. Yet, on this actively managed moorland, the story is one of spectacular triumph.

Breeding results offer a beacon of hope, proving that with the right, decisive approach, we can turn the tide. This success demands we answer a critical question: How was this remarkable turnaround achieved?

1. By the Numbers: A Record-Breaking Turnaround

True conservation success is not measured in sentiment, but in tangible, quantifiable results. The Glenwherry project provides precisely this kind of clear, irrefutable evidence. The breeding statistics are not just encouraging; they are a resounding validation of the methods employed.

69 Fledged Chicks: Keepers on the ground recorded an incredible 69 fledged Curlew chicks. This figure represents a dramatic surge, building on the previous year's record of 28 chicks and demonstrating a powerful acceleration of success. This is not just growth; it is exponential proof of what works.
Unheard-of Brood Size: The project achieved an average of four chicks per brood - a rate described as simply "unheard of in the island of Ireland." This exceptional number signifies more than just survival; it points to a habitat of such quality and security that birds are not just breeding, but thriving at a level previously thought impossible.
A Vital Stronghold: The success is so profound that this single managed area now supports approximately 23% of Northern Ireland's entire Curlew population. This elevates the project from a local achievement to a site of critical national importance, a lynchpin for the species' survival.

These numbers tell an undeniable story of what was achieved. The method explains how.

2. The Method Behind the Miracle: Active Gamekeeping

The triumph in Glenwherry is a direct result of "boots on the ground" conservation - a hands-on, practical approach rooted in experience and relentless effort. As one expert involved noted, the method is "not rocket science." It is the direct consequence of knowledgeable gamekeepers actively managing two key aspects of the ecosystem: habitat and predation.

The strategy is built on two primary pillars:

Habitat Management: Creating the ideal conditions for wildlife is foundational. This is achieved through sensitive grazing patterns, controlled burning, and flailing. Experts on the ground note that the "combination of the two really brings a huge benefit," a nuanced approach that cultivates a healthy and diverse moorland habitat perfect for ground-nesting birds.
Predator Control: While habitat is crucial, the evidence from Glenwherry is unequivocal: the pivotal factor enabling this success is the control of generalist predators. The targeted management of foxes and crows has created a safe environment where vulnerable species like the Curlew can nest and raise their young without facing overwhelming pressure.

This practical work is guided by a clear conservation philosophy that confronts difficult choices to achieve a greater ecological good.

3. A Necessary Balance: The "Little Evil for a Greater Good"

Predator control is often a contentious subject. However, a frank conversation about effective conservation demands we address it head-on, for it is central to the success on the Antrim Plateau. The goal of this work is not to eliminate predators, but to strike a crucial balance that allows all species - especially the most vulnerable - to flourish.

This intervention is a candid acknowledgement that to deliver environmental benefits, sometimes we must guide nature's hand. It requires accepting the responsibility of doing "a little evil for a greater good."

As those on the front line explain, "you're sort of acting as God nearly of trying to step in but without our intervention... we won't be able to deliver all these environmental benefits."

This is not an act of arrogance, but a moral imperative. We are stepping in to protect the most vulnerable from an overwhelming and imbalanced threat, ensuring the moorland supports a rich diversity of life, not just the most dominant predators.

4. The Ripple Effect: A Thriving Moorland Ecosystem

Effective conservation management rarely benefits just one species. The work done to save the Curlew has created positive, cascading effects felt across the entire moorland ecosystem. By creating a balanced and secure environment, the gamekeepers have fostered a landscape teeming with life.

Alongside the Curlew, the moors are now alive with thriving populations of grouse, golden plover, snipe, and a remarkable number of hares.

The area’s status as a biodiversity hotspot is further cemented by the fact that it is now home to 60% of Northern Ireland's grouse population. This demonstrates that active management is a rising tide that lifts all boats, cultivating a resilient and vibrant ecosystem.

5. The Stark Warning: What's at Stake?

The success in Glenwherry, while remarkable, is also fragile. It is entirely dependent on the continuous, year-round effort of the gamekeepers on the ground. This is not a project that can be completed and abandoned. The expert assessment of what would happen if this management were to cease is a stark and urgent warning.

If predator control were to stop, the collapse would be swift and catastrophic, because "the level of foxes now in the in the countryside and generous [generalist] predators is huge." With this immense pressure unchecked, experts predict that "in 12 months there wouldn't be a single curlew chick left."

The devastation would not stop there. Hares would likely disappear within three years. In less than five years, there would be "absolutely nothing" left. This grim forecast underscores a critical reality: active management is not a temporary fix but a permanent necessity for preserving these precious species against an imbalanced modern ecosystem.

A Proven Blueprint for the Future

The story of the Curlew on the Antrim Plateau is more than just good news; it is a blueprint for recovery. It provides clear, evidence-based proof that we possess the tools and the knowledge to reverse the decline of our most endangered ground-nesting birds. It demonstrates that when we focus on what works, spectacular results are not just possible, but achievable.

This triumph was not achieved through passive observation or hopeful wishing; it was forged by the dedicated, year-round work of experienced gamekeepers. Their "boots on the ground" approach delivers tangible, life-saving outcomes where other methods have failed. They are essential conservationists, and their work provides a proven model for a future where the haunting call of the Curlew can once again echo across our nation's moorlands.