What do curlew birds eat?

Where do curlew live?

Curlew belong to a group of birds known as “waders”, because they spend parts of their life wading in shallow waters. Curlew spend the winter in coastal areas – around the UK they can be found on mudflats and estuaries in large flocks, sometimes numbering into the thousands.

Are curlews nesting on runways a safety risk?

But officials said curlews nesting close to runways pose a risk to air safety, and before the project, eggs laid on airfields would have been destroyed under licence to avoid the risk of collisions between birds and aircraft.

What attracts ground-nesting curlews to airfields?

Ground-nesting curlews are attracted to airfields, which mimic the natural open grassland they prefer, and can often be relatively safe from predators such as foxes due to the high security fences that surround them.

Why are curlew eggs being rescued from nests on airfields?

Officials said the rare birds nesting near runways were a safety risk and the eggs would otherwise be destroyed. Curlew eggs are being rescued from nests on airfields and reared and released in a Government-funded project to help the threatened bird.

When do Curlew birds fly in the UK?

This may surprise those who see curlew flocks between late July and early spring. However, these birds are likely to be wintering from Britain and Scandinavia whereas the breeding population can be found between April and early June.

What is the Curlew Egg project?

The project is taking eggs laid by curlew on airfields, then rearing and releasing them in the right kinds of habitats for them to thrive.

Why are curlew eggs being destroyed at airfields?

Airfields provide the kind of habitat the ground nesting curlew would choose to lay eggs. However, due to the dangers to air safety posed by them nesting close to runways, eggs were – until this project began – destroyed to prevent the risk of collisions between birds and aircraft.

When is World curlew day and why is it important?

Inspired By World Curlew Day… The 21st of April marks two days of historical significance: World Curlew Day, and the Feast Day of St. Beuno in the traditional Welsh calendar.

How is the BTO helping to save the Curlew?

On World Curlew Day, we look over the BTO research helping to stitch together the conservation of this iconic species. In 2015, Curlews were added to the UK Red List, following losses of nearly half their breeding numbers over the preceding 20 years.

What is the Eurasian curlew project?

The project aims to boost the birds’ population in the east of England. The Eurasian curlew is Europe’s largest wading bird and is now red-listed, meaning it is of the highest conservation priority, needing urgent action.

What is World curlew day?

World Curlew Day, April 21, raises awareness of curlews everywhere. World Curlew Day logo, designed by Nicola Duffy. There are eight species of curlew worldwide and two are assumed extinct. The Eskimo and the Slender-Billed have not been seen for decades.

Why are we letting the Curlew slip away?

They have given us so much, yet we are allowing them to slip away as we change their habitats and fail to protect them from predation, disturbance and in some places, hunting. April 21 is designated as World Curlew day.

Why is the Curlew so important?

The Curlew is one of the most pressing bird conservation priorities in the UK, where nearly half the breeding population has been lost over the last 25 years and where range contraction has seen Curlews disappear from many traditional sites.

Are Curlew birds in decline in the UK?

However, national monitoring data, coordinated by BTO, show that this population has been in long-term decline since the 1970s and has almost halved in the UK over the last 20 years. Britain also supports some 125,000 wintering Curlew, numbers of which have declined by more than 25% in 25 years. Many of these birds breed in continental Europe.

How can we save the Eurasian curlew?

An innovative Natural England led partnership project that will boost populations of Eurasian curlew is underway in the East of England. The project is taking eggs laid by curlew on airfields, then rearing and releasing them in the right kinds of habitats for them to thrive.

Who is involved in the Curlew Wildlife Partnership?

The partnership’s steering group comprises nine organisations: Bolton Castle Estate, BTO, Curlew Action, Curlew Country, Duchy of Cornwall, Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Natural England, RSPB, and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.

Why are curlews on the UK Red List?

In 2015, Curlews were added to the UK Red List, following losses of nearly half their breeding numbers over the preceding 20 years. As the UK hosts around 25% of the world’s population of this species, the status of UK Curlew populations has a truly global impact.

Why is the Curlew declining in the UK?

The rippling song of the Curlew is part of the breeding display, along with stately walking rituals and a flight with shivering wings. This first look at the causes of Curlew declines across the UK revealed how vital less intensively managed open landscapes of the British Isles are to this charismatic species.

What is being done to save the Curlew?

The decline of the curlew is not just the loss of a valuable wetland species, but a significant cultural and heritage loss too. We are working with farmers and landowners, conservationists and communities to improve the curlews’ chances.

What is the Curlew conservation programme?

The Curlew Conservation Programme involves locally based teams of advisors, community engagement and nest protection officers, working closely with landowners and other local interests, to protect Curlew nesting attempts and to improve habitat quality. NPWS Conservation Rangers and management are also centrally involved in a number of areas.

What is the Curlew Recovery Partnership?

The Curlew Recovery Partnership is determined to work together to find solutions to reverse its decline and to help transform our relationship with nature. It is an honour to be part of this initiative.”

Why are the curlews disappearing so quickly?

It’s the lowlands where the curlews are disappearing the fastest. And WWT is one of many partners, organisations and individuals, standing together to make a difference for the curlew. The reasons for its decline are as much guessed at as fully understood. As a ground-nesting bird, industrial farming machines could well be a problem for them.

Why is it important to save the Far Eastern curlew?

“It’s really important that we act to save this species which has been experiencing one of the fastest rates of decline,” says Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner, Gregory Andrews. “The far eastern curlew is critically endangered, which means it’s closer to extinction than any other category.”