Partnership projects to benefit endangered Stone-curlew lead to rise in numbers across Wessex and the Brecks - RSPB
Two projects working to benefit Stone-curlew are celebrating their 40th anniversaries, with the population now having more than doubled in size since the 1980s.
- Two projects working to benefit Stone-curlew, a threatened and unique looking bird, are celebrating their 40th anniversaries, with the population now having more than doubled in size since a nationwide population low in the 1980s
- The rare birds have been benefitting from the dedicated efforts of the RSPB, farmers, landowners and other partners in conserving and restoring nesting habitats through projects in the birds’ breeding strongholds in Wessex and the Brecks
- These collaborative efforts demonstrate how crucial supporting nature-friendly farming will be to aiding nature’s recovery, with the RSPB continuing to urge for increased funding, advice and access to agri-environment schemes.
One of our most threatened birds, the Stone-curlew, has seen a rise in population numbers in Wessex and the Brecks thanks to the work of the RSPB in collaboration with farmers, landowners and other partners across farmland, grassland and heathland habitats. Numbers of the bird counted across the project area alone have now more than doubled since a nationwide population low in the 1980s.
Celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, two Stone-curlew projects have been working in partnership with farmers, landowners and gamekeepers across Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to provide suitable habitat, including nesting sites, for these wide-eyed rare birds.
Migrating to our shores from southern Spain and northern Africa to raise their young each year, these peculiar-looking birds are crow sized, have long yellow legs and - perhaps most distinctively – golden orb-like eyes which enable them to find food under the cover of darkness.
Posted On: 26/02/2025
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