Nest belonging to 'remarkable' endangered bird found

A nesting curlew with three eggs has been identified in Northern Ireland, marking a significant milestone for the endangered species. The bird, part of a 2024 headstarting initiative, was found in the Sliabh Beagh area, which spans Counties Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Monaghan. The Sliabh Beagh Curlew Conservation Trust and Breeding Waders EIP project confirmed the discovery, noting the bird’s leg rings indicated it had been artificially incubated and reared before release. The curlew population in Ireland has plummeted by over 98% since the 1980s, with only around 150 breeding pairs remaining in Northern Ireland. Donal Beagan, Nest Protection and Headstarting Manager for the Breeding Waders EIP project, described the finding as ‘really exciting,’ emphasizing its potential to demonstrate the success of conservation efforts. This is the first recorded instance of a headstarted curlew returning to breeding grounds. The nest was located using GPS thermal technology, suggesting it may be a second nesting attempt given its late-season discovery. Beagan noted that three eggs are typical for a young bird and expressed cautious optimism about the eggs’ viability, though they are only two weeks into a 28-day incubation period. If successful, the chicks would take 40-45 days to fledge. The discovery follows recent conservation successes, including the rescue of curlew eggs from a wildfire in County Fermanagh earlier this year. Beagan urged the public to report any sightings of curlews with colored leg rings to authorities, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the milestone. The Sliabh Beagh Curlew Conservation Trust credited the Breeding Waders EIP project, RSPB Northern Ireland, local landowners, and volunteers for their contributions to curlew protection.