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Legal status
The stone curlew is listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981, which affords special protection at all times. It is an offence to take, injure or kill a stone curlew or to take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young.
It is also an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds at or close to their nest during the breeding season.
Violation of the law can attract fines up to £5,000 per offence and/or a prison sentence of up to six months. In addition, the stone curlew is listed on Annex 1 of the EU Birds Directive.