South Lakes farmers are asked to get in touch with Curlew Recovery South Lakes if they suspect the birds may be nesting in their fields.
Farmers are embarking on grass cutting and the recovery group is offering to use a thermal drone to scan for hidden nests or chicks.
Barny Sykes, of Brigsteer, is a drone pilot and volunteer.
He said: “The drone has already helped us locate six nests this year. Once a nest is fenced, farm operations can continue safely around it. Farmers have been fantastic — some have even adjusted cutting timings to help the birds.”
Curlews numbers are declining sharply. They are now red-listed in the UK and they have disappeared from much of southern Britain.
Poor breeding success is one of the main reasons for the decline.
However, around Kendal, farmers and local volunteers are doing all they can to help locate and protect nests and chicks.
So far this year, Curlew Recovery South Lakes has found 32 nests. Twenty-seven chicks have already hatched, while 16 nests are still sitting.
Susannah Bleakley, of Crosthwaite, is a volunteer fieldworker.
She said: “We’ve found more nests this year than ever before, helped by farmer tip-offs and what we’ve learned in previous seasons.
“We’ve had encouraging results over the last two years, with more chicks fledging locally than for many years. Now we’re keeping everything crossed for the chicks hatching this month.”
Volunteers will be attending Open Gardens at Brigsteer Village Hall on May 30 and May 31.
Farmers who think there may be a curlew nesting in their field, or there may be chicks present, can email [email protected] as soon as possible.
