What a joy it is to see and hear the curlews returning to the moors here at Bolton Abbey. The curlew is the largest European wading bird and one of the most pressing conservation priority species in the UK. Nationally, since 1970 we have lost 65% of the curlew population. At Bolton Abbey however, we are proud to support a healthy, stable breeding population thanks to the land management practices in place. Throughout the winter months, curlews spend their time in warmer climes and tend to head f