CRT appeal launched to help wildlife in winter

Winter brings an unforgiving landscape for wading birds like lapwing, curlew and black-tailed godwit.

They rely on our wetlands to survive the colder months, but as more of their traditional habitats disappear, they are facing growing challenges finding enough food and shelter to see them through the colder months.  

We are asking for your help to create a simple, yet potentially lifesaving feature on our farmland - a series of shallow, muddy channels that will make the difference at the toughest time of the year.

Lapwing

Black-tail godwit

A species like the beautiful and distinctive curlew uses its long, down-curved bills to push into soft, wet ground to find food. Without areas of damp grassland, wading birds struggle to find food over the colder winter months. The curlew is already one of the UK’s most rapidly declining breeding bird species, with a 48 per cent drop in numbers from 1995-2015 in England. 

A shallow ‘scrape’ may look like an unassuming patch of water, but to wading birds like the curlew, it is an oasis. In these wet areas, they can find an abundance of invertebrates to eat, providing the critical nutrition needed to survive.  

CRT Head of Conservation Helena Darragh

The CRT’s Helena Darragh, Head of Conservation and Land Management, said: “For centuries, the UK’s wetlands, floodplains, and coastal areas have been home to waders. However, these natural habitats are being lost, and while these birds are adaptable, they cannot keep pace with the rapid loss of safe spaces to feed and rest undisturbed. 

“Curlew and lapwing are among the most iconic of our Red-listed wading birds, but the habitat we will create with your donations will also attract other Amber-listed birds such as teal, widgeon, and numerous ducks and geese.  

“We were delighted to see growing numbers of lapwings at Lark Rise this summer, so we very much hope they will use the habitat in the winter as well." 

Work on the wetland habitats at Lark Rise Farm and Bere Marsh farm will start next year but will cost around £13,000 to carry out the necessary survey work and prepare the land.  

“While we can get a partial grant, we are looking for around £8,000 in donations to make this happen,” added Helena. 

“We are aiming to have both habitats ready for winter 2025 and will begin work at Bere Marsh Farm next summer. There is more survey work to be done first at Lark Rise Farm, and, if further assessment of the land is needed, this might take a little longer and be ready for winter 2026.” 

Your donations will help support the future of wading birds and will give them a chance to thrive in the winter months. Let’s give our wading birds a wetter, safer winter. 

To donate to our appeal, click here  Donate