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THE PUBLIC IS being asked to report sightings of one of Ireland’s most iconic wildlife species that has been sliding towards extinction.
The Curlew is one of the most threatened birds in the country but a curlew conservation project has been launched by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to try and protect it.
The Department has engaged 15 fieldworkers to help find breeding Curlew and to work with landowners to protect the birds’ nests and improve their environment over the summer.
Funding is available for landowners to engage in efforts on the programme, including habitat improvement works.
The Curlew Conservation Programme is focusing as a pilot on six of the most important areas in Ireland for breeding Curlew, including the Stack’s Mountains in Kerry, Lough Ree, North Roscommon and Leitrim, North Monaghan, Donegal and Lough Corrib.
The programme is The Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys said, “The Curlew is an iconic bird in rural Ireland.
Many people who grew up in the countryside will remember hearing the cry of the Curlew during summertime, whether in the fields or in the bogs.
Landowners and members of the public are being asked to get in touch with the Agri-Ecology Unit of NPWS, on 01-8883255, if they would like to let the project know of any Curlew sightings during the summer or if they would like to get involved with the project or engage in habitat improvement works.
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A picture speaks a thousand words. The chic looks nothing like an adult!
@Willy Malone: I have no idea what they look like, never even heard of them!
@Willy Malone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3UBH_M_LGk
@Celtic_Horizon: they look like a fat duck but with an addictive personality
@Willy Malone: I have no idea what a curlew is you got that right I best google one if I see any around this parts .
@Dick: lol sounds great
Thank you. That takes me back to happy days spent in the bog as a young lad.
Breeding pair in Tipperary but local turf cutting decreases the habitat each summer. Authorities are aware but nothing being done so please don’t waste people’s time and effort asking to report sitings. Habitat has to be saved to sustain any species. Trying to increase their numbers without protecting/sustaining habitat is “putting the cart before the horse”.
I would be very wary of reporting these given Fine Gael’s appalling record on animal welfare. Their war on wildlife won’t stop until everything is gone, gotta keep them farmers onside.
@Stephen O’Neill: animals ain’t bankers . Nor developers nor they can make Varadkar look outside dublin .
@Stephen O’Neill: No wonder their becoming scarcer with all the farmers starting gorse fires, And all Heather Humphries dept do is remind land owners of the regulations ,All noise, no action.
Always used to hear their cry just before it was going to rain.My grandfather always said when you hear the curlew,rains not far away.He was right.
They can be seen quite regularly on Dundalk Bay. The best time to see them is them is as they feed on freshly exposed mud flats as the tide goes out. With long downward curving bills, they are quite easy to pick out from other wading birds.
The hand could have been washed.
Especially in Dublin. The playing field are being sold off at St Pauls School Rahney by the religious order has documented sighting of this bird but still the land is under threat with planning due to be resubmitted in the near future. The site is adjacent the Bull Ireland conservation area and St Annes Park.
@Melissa O’Callaghan: during October to April curlew migrate here for milder winters and are not classes as “native”. They are looking for breeding curlew.
@Melissa O’Callaghan: they are migrating curlew, so they are looking for sightings of breeding curlew
@Carmel O’dwyer:is it that’s OK if they don’t count?
@Melissa O’Callaghan: I’m almost sure they just want records of breeding pairs so that would be any spotted during our breeding season. They mainly breed inland bogland areas. Wouldn’t worry about it too much because the do f&ck with the data anyway in my experience
Bonnan Bui / Yellow Bittern
At last a chance to post Cathal Bui Mac Giolla Ghunna (1680-1756) on the Internet:
“Is a Bhonnain Bhui bhoicht, se mo lean i do lui tu…….
Corncrake also in trouble
Time to pay farmers to have more sanctuaries for these birds.
Apologies for duplicate posting. Journal on a “go slow” this morning with response to verification of details.
I remember watching these beautiful, long legged birds striding through the fields in Clonea, Dungarvan, when I was a kid. Once seen and heard, never forgotten.
Breeding pair in Tipperary but turf cutting decreases their habitat each summer, authorities are aware and have implemented nothing to protect them so please don’t waste people time by asking them to report sitings.
@Carmel O’dwyer: I love beside a big bog no one cuts here would they be found in the border region? If so I will keep an eye id love to see one
@WilhelminaMCallaghan: I’ve seen one pair up near Down Patrick Head in recent weeks. They have “white bums” in flight much like a wheatear or Bullfinch, are brown in colour (much like a hen pheasant) with a downward curved beak. The call is unmistakable. Good luck :)
a breeding pair of curlews at Dungonnell Dam, Cargan, Ballymena County Antrim – spotted last year and are there again this year
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