Published on Thursday25thMay2017

Humphreys encourages members of the public to report sightings of the Curlew as part of conservation project

20170525 Curlew chick (T Cross)

A Curlew chick

Arts Minister Heather Humphreys is encouraging members of the public to report sightings of the Curlew to the National Parks and Wildlife Service if they see the rare bird in their local area this summer, as part of an important conservation project. The Curlew is one of Ireland’s most threatened birds and the Agri-Ecology Unit of the NPWS of the Department is pioneering efforts at protecting them through the Curlew Conservation Programme. 

The Minister said: 

The Curlew is an iconic bird in rural Ireland. Many people who grew up in the countryside will remember hearing the cry of the Curlew during summertime, whether in the fields or in the bogs. I am very committed to my Department’s Curlew Conservation Programme, through which my officials are engaging in a positive way with landowners to help the Curlew remain a sight and a sound in the Irish summer. As part of this work I would encourage members of the public to get in touch with the NPWS if you see any Curlews in your local area this summer. 

The Curlew Conservation Programme is focusing as a pilot on six of the most important areas in Ireland for breeding Curlew, including the Stack’s Mountains in Kerry, Lough Ree, North Roscommon and Leitrim, Monaghan, Donegal and Lough Corrib. In each of these areas, local teams are surveying for Curlew, engaging in nest protection efforts and liaising with landowners. Funding is available for landowners to engage in efforts on the programme, including habitat improvement works. The key goals for all involved, are to give the Curlews a better chance of rearing chicks and to stop the loss of one of Ireland’s most iconic wildlife species, which has otherwise been sliding quickly towards extinction.

Minister Humphreys is encouraging landowners and members of the public to get in touch with the Agri-Ecology Unit of NPWS, on 01-8883255, if they would like to let the project know of any Curlew sightings during the summer or if they would like to get involved with the project or engage in habitat improvement works.

For more information read the press release here.