We are pleased to announce that Curlew chicks have hatched at the PTOP headstarting facility in the Kurpiowska Refuge and at the TP Bocian facility in the Lower Bug Valley—home to one of the most endangered breeding bird species in Poland and Europe. To date, 41 chicks have hatched at the first site and 33 at the second, bringing the total to 74! Eggs from later clutches remain in the incubators, so more hatchings are still expected.
The chicks are in good condition and are progressing through the early developmental stages in line with the breeding protocol, which includes thermal control of the rearing environment, a diet adapted to the needs of young Curlews, and stress minimisation. The next step will be transferring the young Curlews to outdoor aviaries, where they will remain until they are capable of flight. It is worth noting that the chicks do not imprint on their human carers and adapt well to the natural environment once released.
Each successful hatching is a valuable step toward safeguarding this extraordinary species for future generations. The Eurasian Curlew is listed as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, and its population continues to decline in many areas. The main threats include habitat loss, predation, and agricultural intensification, all of which contribute to very low breeding success.
