The Call of the Wild: Why the Curlew Matters at Gazegill
If you’ve ever visited Eight at Gazegill, you might have noticed the curlew in our logo. A beautiful bird, no doubt, but what’s the connection?
The curlew isn’t just a symbol; it’s a living, breathing sign that our farm is thriving. These elegant waders—Europe’s largest, in fact—are incredibly particular about where they nest. They need open, well-managed farmland and moorland, and that’s exactly what we provide here at Gazegill. The fact that curlew numbers are actually increasing on our land is proof that sustainable, organic farming works—not just for us, but for the wildlife we share our home with.
The first curlews of the season were spotted returning to the farm at the beginning of February, perfectly aligning with the timing of the season, just as our girls went back out to pasture after their winter enclosure.
A Special Kind of Nesting Place
Curlews are ground-nesters, making their simple "scrape nests"—a small hollow in the earth, sometimes lined with a few leaves or stones. With our careful land management, wildflower meadows flourish undisturbed, giving these birds the safe, open spaces they need to breed.
Each nest holds 4 to 5 speckled eggs, laid in April or May. For about a month, the female incubates them while the male stands guard. Once hatched, the chicks remain under their parents' watchful eyes for another 4 to 6 weeks before they’re ready to take flight.
A Bird Built for the Wild
With their long, arching bills—shaped like a crescent moon (hence their Latin name, Numenius Arquata)—curlews are perfectly designed for probing deep into the soil, searching for insects, worms, and crustaceans. Their distinctive, haunting call is a true sound of the wild, echoing across moorland and meadows alike.
Despite their resilience, curlew numbers have dropped by 65% since 1970. Habitat loss and poor land management have made it harder for them to find safe breeding grounds. But here at Gazegill, we’re committed to reversing that trend. By maintaining healthy, balanced ecosystems, we’re not just protecting curlews—we’re ensuring that every creature, from the tiniest insect to the largest dairy cow, thrives together.
A Testament to Our Land
Every time we hear that unmistakable curlew call, we’re reminded why we do what we do. Their presence here is more than just a privilege—it’s proof that farming and conservation can go hand in hand. And as long as they keep returning, we know we’re doing something right.
So next time you see a curlew soaring above our fields or hear its call drifting on the wind, take a moment to appreciate it. Because in that sound is the story of a farm working in harmony with nature—just as it should be.
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