WE are incredibly lucky in Craven and the Dales to hear and see curlews - across the UK, numbers of the Eurasian curlew have declined by more than 60 per cent since 1970, and in some parts of the country, they have disappeared altogether. Today (Wednesday) is World Curlew Day - an attempt to raise awareness of the plight of one of Britain’s best loved and most recognisable birds, and to encourage people to do what they can to make sure it survives for future generations. Although the birds, with their distinctive plaintive call and long, curved beak, can readily be seen across North Yorkshire and East Lancashire from early spring and throughout the breeding season, they are not seen in the numbers they once were.
ONE of Britain’s best-loved birds – whose breeding grounds include the moors above Keighley and Oxenhope – is facing an unprecedented population crisis, a charity has warned. Loss of habitat, modern farming practices, climate change and rising numbers of predators are all endangering the existence of the curlew. Since 1970, the breeding population has declined nationally by over 60 per cent. The distinctive birds are now considered one of the highest-priority species for conservation. A newly-formed charity, Curlew Action, says there is still plenty that can be done to protect the birds. But it says that without action, scientists estimate there could be regional and even country-level extinctions in the next decade.
The Curlew Recovery Partnership is a new, exciting and transformative initiative, bringing together all those with an interest in Curlew conservation, including land managers, farmers, gamekeepers, policymakers and researchers. They are joining forces to help secure the future of one of England’s most iconic and threatened species, the Eurasian Curlew. Urgent action is needed.