The elusive curlews, a threatened species, have been sighted in Herefordshire near the river Wye, a rare occurrence.
These large wading birds live in Europe. They live near estuaries during winter and on moors in summer. Some curlews showed up near the river Wye in Herefordshire.
The RSPB blames intensive farming for their decline. Drainage and reseeding hurt curlew breeding, and foresting moorlands is also a likely cause.
Predators also impact curlew numbers. Curlews nest on the ground, incubating eggs for four weeks and needing another four weeks for chicks to fly.
The UK has a large curlew breeding group, holding about 30% of Western Europe’s curlews. RSPB reported worrying declines in the UK, and curlews were put on the UK Red List in 2015, which requires urgent action for species.
Herefordshire Wildlife Trust says curlews migrate. They return from winter grounds in late February or at the start of March. Curlews live in Wye and Lugg floodplains. They once nested in other areas, but they haven’t been seen there lately.