DSC7946 Curlew..

Curlew - Numenius Arquata

 

They are one of the most ancient lineages of scolopacid waders, together with the godwits which look similar but have straight bills.

Curlews feed on mud or very soft ground, searching for worms and other invertebrates with their long bills. They will also take crabs and similar items.

 

Curlews enjoy a worldwide distribution. Most species show strong migratory habits and consequently one or more species can be encountered at different times of the year in Europe, Ireland, Britain, Iberia, Iceland, Africa, Southeast Asia, Siberia, North America, South America and Australasia.

 

The distribution of curlews has altered considerably in the past hundred years as a result of changing agricultural practices. Reclamation and drainage of marshy fields and moorland, and afforestation of the latter, have led to local decreases, while conversion of forest to grassland in some parts of Scandinavia has led to increases there.

 

Population:

UK breeding:

 

66,000 pairs

 

UK wintering:

 

140,000 individuals

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