Curlew Chicks to Be Released as Part of Conservation Project
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Loading... - Akila Salah
- 24 Jul 2024
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More than 30 curlew chicks are set to be released into the wild this summer as part of a significant conservation project aimed at saving the endangered bird from extinction in Ireland. The curlew is one of ten breeding wader species in the country, which also includes the lapwing, redshank, snipe, and oystercatcher, among others.
The new Breeding Waders European Innovation Partnership (EIP) is designed to bolster the numbers of these species in Ireland. Part-funded by the EU and the Department of Agriculture, as well as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the project will receive €25 million over the next five years.
Owen Murphy, Project Manager with Breeding Waders EIP, explained that releasing the fledgling curlews over the coming weeks would give the birds a crucial "head start." Over the past 30 years, the curlew population in Ireland has declined by a staggering 98%, leaving only about 105 to 110 breeding pairs in the country.
Murphy's team identified nesting sites and collected eggs early in the season. "We knew if we did it early enough, the curlews would have a second clutch," Murphy said. This strategy allowed one batch of curlew eggs to be monitored and cared for by humans during the chicks' most vulnerable stage, while another set was reared in the wild. This method effectively "doubles your return," according to Murphy.
Earlier this year, the team collected 36 eggs. Over the coming weeks, 31 fledgling curlews will be released back into the wild. This initiative marks the first time such a project has been attempted in Ireland. Some of the fledgling curlews will be fitted with leg tags for tracking their progress.
"We are hugely excited about the prospect of being able to monitor these birds on a daily basis," Murphy said. He added that the project would help develop a better understanding of the curlew's decline in Ireland and improve breeding productivity.
Future steps in the project will involve engaging with landowners and local communities to improve the marginal, wetland habitats that curlews and other waders prefer. On Monday, the first six curlew chicks were released in Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Leitrim.
Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan acknowledged the challenges ahead. "We have an enormous challenge ahead of us if we are to stave off the extinction of this beautiful bird," he said. Noonan emphasized that the Breeding Waders EIP offers a significant opportunity to intensify efforts, experiment with new approaches, and expand knowledge on what can aid in the curlew's breeding and survival.
The release of these curlew chicks marks a hopeful step in the conservation of one of Ireland’s most cherished bird species. Through continued efforts and innovative approaches, there is optimism that the curlew population will rebound, preserving this vital part of Ireland's natural heritage.
