Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata)
Did you Know?
The Forest of Bowland National Landscape is critically important for curlews and maintaining curlew populations remains a high priority for the National Landscape Partnership. In 2023,there were 114 nesting pairs in the Forest of Bowland with the population appearing to remain stable. However, more action is needed for this species to recover and thrive, as they are globally under threat and populations continue to decline nationally. Unenclosed peatland habitats and adjacent semi-improved grassland pastures and meadows are important areas for breeding populations, but these habitats can be vulnerable to climate change. These habitats need to be more abundant and appropriately managed for populations to thrive in the National Landscape.
Fun Fact:
Did you know that the curlew's distinctive call, "cur-lee", is what gives the bird its name!
Identification & Voice:
Curlews are our largest wader with a wingspan of over a metre and a long down-curved beak that it uses to probe deep into wet pastures for earthworms and invertebrate food also with brown upperparts and long legs. Few sounds are more characteristic of our uplands than the bubbling calls of the Curlew. This evocative song is delivered with a steep climb and parachuting descent on raised wings - a territorial display over the bird’s nesting territory.