Curlew Conservation Programme underway across mid- Leitrim and 8 other areas in Ireland Reporter: '); The Minister of State with responsibility for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Malcolm Noonan described the current status of the Curlew as “one of the most difficult and pressing conservation concerns of our time”. “The Curlew is a link with the wild Ireland of past generations, and the farmers and landowners who support our remaining breeding populations of Curlew are vital to its future,” he said. Curlew are beautiful birds that have played a significant role in Ireland's heritage being represented in placenames, storytelling, poetry, music, coinage and folk lore. They are a large wader with greyish brown colouring with dark streaking standing tall on long bluish legs with a majestic long down curved bill, their call is evocative and easily recognisable.