Marine Biodiversity

 

Habitat: Sea Inlets & Bays

Species: Curlew

Scientific name: Numenius arquata

Size: 50-60cm

Colour: mottled brown and grey

Distribution: widespread around Ireland’s coast, pasture land and grasslands

The curlew is a large, tall wading bird which is similar in size to a female pheasant. a distinct looking bird with mottled brown feathers, bluish legs and a long downcurved bill. Their ‘cur-lee’ call is recognisable of the Irish countryside and can also be heard around the coast, particularly in the winter months.

The curlew’s downcurved bill is perfect for probing through the mud to find their prey, which consists of worms, crustaceans, and other small invertebrates.

Curlew breed on upland and lowland bogs, grassland and farmland in late March or early April. They lay their eggs between April and May and their chicks hatch between May and June and will have typically fledged by mid-July.

Unfortunately, their breeding season and choice of nesting area conflicts with some farming activities and as a result curlew have suffered drastic declines in recent years and have almost disappeared from the Irish countryside. Many conservation groups are working closely with farmers and landowners to promote wildlife-friendly practices that alter the timing of some farming activities so that they don’t impact the curlew’s breeding season.

 

Image by Micheal John O’ Mahony

Image by Micheal John O’ Mahony

Image by Anni Wilton-Jones