An evening of curlew in Bakewell

Peak District Moorland Group

An interesting evening last night in Bakewell, courtesy of the Bakewell Bird Study Group.

The well known Curlew Campaigner, Mary Colwell spoke to a packed room of 60 guests, delivering a multi faceted presentation on the plight of the Eurasian curlew.

The audience got an insight into the many factors that are affecting the downward spiral in population numbers throughout much of the UK.

Our managed, for grouse shooting, moorland areas are often a stronghold for recovering and increasing populations of curlew - the blueprint is there for sustainability and recovery, but only if the often "prickly nettle", which is predator control, is discussed and implemented using modern methods across wider suitable landscape areas?

Maybe predator control is such an unpalatable action with some individuals and organisations plans for the future, in which case the sound of bubbling springtime curlew could well be just a distant memory for us and one only found on YouTube for future generations? Are they really happy with just monitoring species extinction, which in some reserves are already functionally extinct on their watch?

You can click on this link to read the ground breaking science that the GWCT are working on in the Avon Valley, which relies on the latest Humane Cable Restraints to catch, tag and release foxes in a bid to study their movements and impacts on waders.