The 2025 season marked a pivotal moment for the East of England Curlew Headstarting Project.
Following several successful years at Pensthorpe Conservation Trust, the project entered a new era with its relocation to Deepdale Conservation Trust (DCT) at Burnham Deepdale.
This transition was more than a change of location – it represented a renewed partnership, expanded infrastructure, and the most successful rearing season since the project began.
In January 2025, Deepdale Conservation Trust formally took over responsibility for rearing head-started curlew chicks for the Natural England–led project. Working closely with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the team ensured continuity of expertise while embracing the opportunities offered by Deepdale’s coastal marsh landscape.
A Record-Breaking Rearing Season
The success of the move was reflected clearly in the season’s outcomes.
With 20 clutches collected from 11 RAF airbases we saw an 89% fertility rate and a 94% hatch rate of the eggs.
The proximity to coastal marshes proved invaluable, providing a breezy cooler environment in one of the hottest summers and natural foraging opportunities with water pumped up from the marsh. Such enrichment supports strong physical development and fantastic overall bird health.
In total, 56 curlew were successfully released in 2025 – the highest proportion of hatched chicks ever achieved by the project.
Birds were released again at Wild Ken Hill and Sandringham Estate. Individuals fitted with GPS satellite tags can be followed on 2025 years cohort data.
This success would not have been possible without the combined efforts of Deepdale Conservation Trust, the British Trust for Ornithology, Natural England, RAF partners, veterinary teams, volunteers, and supporters.
This first year at Deepdale Conservation Trust demonstrated that the project not only survived its transition but thrived because of it.
