The Detailed Report:

The curlew (Numenius arquata) in Herefordshire is a seasonal visitor, spending five or six months in the county. They usually return from their wintering grounds at the end of February or early March. If they are successful with breeding they remain into August, or occasionally later, before departing. Failed or non breeding birds often depart earlier.

There are two distinct and separate areas where nesting curlew may be found in the county: the riverside meadows, known as floodplains, of the rivers Lugg and Wye. On the Lugg, territories can be found from Withington to the confluence with the Wye, whilst on the Wye, there are territories from the border with Powys downstream to Holme Lacy. They are also to be found in the upland meadows at Longtown and adjoining parishes in the west of the county.

Curlew have historically nested in other areas however, since the nationwide decline of the species, they have not been seen or reported in recent years. The project group believes that all curlew territories have been identified however, that may not be so. It is possible there may be an undiscovered territory or two out there. New territories are being found each year.

It is known that there are three nesting curlew territories at Dorstone with another at Walterstone where monitoring access has been denied. We are continually talking to the land managers trying to gain access to these locations.

Once again, 2023 was a very disappointing year for curlew reproduction. In the last week of June it was thought there was a 100% productivity failure rate at all known curlew territories. Chicks were not observed and adults had departed to their wintering grounds. This all changed in mid July, with a telephone call from a Craswall landowner, who reported seeing three small curlew chicks with an adult. Two chicks were subsequently caught and fitted with colour rings. They successfully fledged and were last seen on 6^th September.

The amount of monitoring coverage was reduced this year due to ill health, ailments and holidays. As a result, non of the nests were protected with electric fences or, viewed by trail cameras.

Curlew were seen returning to most of the traditional sites during late February through to April however, pairs were not observed at several regular nest sites, many never appeared to attempt nesting and/or disappeared early. The reason for this is unknown. Two of the county colour ringed curlew returned to Herefordshire, they were eventually observed on their lowland breeding territories.

This year six curlew were caught, five in the uplands in the west of the county, the other adjacent to the river Lugg, then fitted with colour rings and GPS tracking devices.

The GPS tracker devices were purchased with a generous donation from the Peter Gardner Legacy fund held by Herefordshire Ornithological Club. Herefordshire Wildlife Trust also provided financial support. We are grateful to both organisations for their support.

Unfortunately, the recommended nylon attachment harness material failed after a period of time, varying from eleven days to twenty two weeks. The devices provided valuable data.

The colour-ringing scheme is a project aiming to study the breeding areas, winter destinations and survival rates of Curlews breeding in Shropshire, Mid Wales and Herefordshire.

Nine nests were located, eight were predated and, one was abandoned days prior to hatching. It is impossible to proportion blame without evidence but, the most likely suspect predators are probably carrion crow or red fox.

Confirmed breeding pairs are determined when there is evidence any of the following:-

• Used nest or eggshells found
• Downy young seen
• Adults entering or leaving nest-site in circumstances indicating occupied nest or adults seen incubating – sitting is often followed by lowering of the head (disappearing in tall vegetation) followed by periodic raising and looking around
• Nest containing eggs
• Nest with young seen or heard
• Incubation change-over seen - when approaching the nest curlews appear to ‘move with purpose’ without actively feeding, although not necessarily faster or slower than normal
• Agitated behaviour or anxiety calls from adults, indicating presence of nest or young nearby, observed on three or more occasions
• Evidence of GPS tagged birds being static in a particular area of the nest site

There were twenty six territories of which eight were confirmed nesting sites however, only one pair fledged young.

The group acknowledges the cooperation of the landowners, without their assistance much of this information could not have been obtained. It goes without saying they are pleased to have curlew on their properties and, continue to support the work of this group.

Also, the group has to thank all the curlew watchers who made a considerable contribution to this body of work. Long may it continue.

Site Reports

Abbeydore:

This site was not monitored this year because of reduced resources, the landowner reported curlew had not been seen this year.

Allensmore:

The fields at this site are in “crop rotation” with rye grass, potato, pea and wheat being planted in different fields each year. Potatoes and peas are defiantly not suitable for nesting.

The first curlew was seen on 18th March. Weekend visits continued with random sightings.

On 10th and 11th April, a pair seemed to be exploring the area for a nest site. Surprisingly, curlew were not seen again until 4th June. This raises the question did the pair nest or attempt to nest elsewhere?

There were further sightings that month suggesting nesting but, this was not confirmed.

Castleton:

The first report was on 7^th March with sixteen birds present. These may have been part of a larger herd of curlew that frequent the flood plains of the river Wye between Glasbury and Boughrood at this time of the year. The numbers gradually reduced during the month. In April a single pair remained. On 22^nd May curlew contact calls to young were heard, indicating young were present. They were not located.

The last record was on 14^th June of two birds in flight flying upriver, then later a single bird.

Craswall:

A pair was present throughout the season with the first report being 26^th March. The birds were elusive with few sightings.  It was thought there may have been a nest however, it was not located. At the end of June is was concluded the pair had failed as the birds were not seen.

On 19^th July there was a call from the landowner who reported seeing an adult curlew with three (3) small chicks. Two chicks were subsequently caught and fitted with colour rings. They successfully fledged and were last seen on 6^th September. The third chick was a roadkill.

Celtic Vale:

This site remains on our list of potential territories, there was one late report of curlew being heard on an unspecified date by residents.

Clifford:

A pair were first observed on 27th March, six days later two pairs were observed. The last sighting was a single bird on 26th April. It is not thought that nesting occurred.

Donnington:

16th May any nest at Rotherwas appeared to have been predated, GPS data showed the male had spent most of the day at Donnington, south east of Ledbury.

On 24^th May the landowner identified from horseback a nest with three eggs. There is an advantage of finding a nest from horseback back, the bird on the nest is more tolerant of disturbances by the horse and, frequently will walk away from the nest rather than taking flight, as is the case with human disturbance.

2nd June the nest was empty.

Dorstone:

The landowner does not allow access to this curlew territory situated in the vicinity of Little Mountain.

The first sighting was a single bird on 25^th March. Two weeks later a pair were observed. On 11^th June curlew were observed defending against crows, an indication there was probably a nest with eggs or, even maybe chicks were there. The last sighting was on 19^th, when a single curlew was observed. Indicating the nest had failed.

Eau Withington:

14^th April a pair of curlew were observed, including the colour ringed male.

On 31^st May, the pair were observed in a field of cut grass on the west side of the river Lugg. A nest was not located but, it was presumed any nest had failed as curlew were not seen here again.

Fownhope:

A single bird that was observed on 22^nd March and the following day, are the only records this year.

Hampton Meadow:

On 19^th March three curlew were seen in Little Million, the field across the river Lugg. A pair of curlew were observed on 2^nd April, remaining for three days before disappearing. On 30^th March, 15^th and 23^rd April curlew were heard but not seen.

A pair bred here in 2019 but not since.

Holme Lacy:

Curlew were not heard or seen here this year.

Letton Lakes:

This is a historical curlew site, which this year held a small number of birds. Two birds were heard and seen on 9^th April, a day earlier than the previous year. Two days later a pair plus a male were seen. A short period of flooding prevented access to the nesting territories. When water receded a maximum of five birds were seen on several dates but, a nesting pair were never located. Curlew were last seen on 9^th May.

Llanveynoe:

This appears to be the alternative territory for the pair from Rowlestone, when the male of a pair was caught in early April and fitted with colour rings and a GPS tracking device. The pair failed to nest, probably because there was insufficient grass cover. Sheep were also grazing. On 3^rd May it was relocated by the colour rings at this site. Two days later a full clutch of eggs was found however, days before hatching, the nest was deserted. The reason for this is unknown.

The most likely explanation is the siting bird was probably spooked or, even attacked by a predator. As there wasn’t any indication in the vicinity of the nest to indicate if anything or anyone had been in the proximity of the nest, this points towards an avian species. It however remains a mystery.

Longtown (1):

This was formerly identified as Trewern however, this is 0.9 kilometres from the old generic site name.

Three birds were seen on 19^th March.

On 3^rd April the female of a pair was caught, fitted with colour rings and a GPS tracking device.

That night the received data showed she spent the night at Bacton, 3.49 kilometres to the east. She and her mate roosted here for several nights before returning to the nest territory. The pair from Michaelchurch Escley also did this.

On 1^st May a clutch of four eggs was located however, a week later the nest was predated. Data suggests there was a second nest in a meadow with little grass cover, east of the first nest. Some days later a third nest was identified with three eggs.

3rd June data showed she was not on the nest. On 4th June the nest was found to be empty.

7th June she spent the night at the Michaelchurch Escley roost. This being her first visit since the GPS tag was fitted.

8th June, this female commenced a flight west from her nesting territory, ninety two minutes later she stopped on the mudflats of the River Loughor, south of WWT Llanelli. A distance of about 86 km flying an average speed 56 miles per hour. 7th July the tracker started transmitting intermittently.

13^th August the transmitter ceased transmitting, showing it was in the same area. It is not known if the tracker is still attached or it if it has become detached.

Longtown (2):

The birds on this territory are probably the birds that gave rise to the Trewern territory. It is 0.77 kilometres north of the other nest in this parish. There were birds in the vicinity from mid March however, it was not until 21^st May that the nest field was identified. The following day, the male was caught, fitted with colour rings and a GPS tracking device.

The male never wandered far from the suspected nest area, with data indicating he too was doing his part of the incubation process.

1st June the male flew around meadows close to the Llanveynoe nest site. On 2nd June data showed the male curlew was not sitting and an empty nest was located. On 9th June it roosted at Michaelchurch Escley, the following day, data showed he was at Madley where it lost the tracking device. This was recovered.

Lower Lugg Meadows:

This site close to Hereford city usually holds small herds of curlew returning from breeding grounds in late February before dispersing to their nesting territories.

Birds were first seen on 14^th March, unusually late here, rising to a maximum of 15 birds on floodwater.

Evidence of possible breeding was observed however, a nesting area was not identified.

On 5^th June, the colour ringed female was observed on her Severn Estuary wintering territory.

On 29^th June a single curlew “bubbly” call was heard but, the bird was not observed. That was the last record.

Lugwardine:

This a new site. Information was received late in 2022 that curlew nested here. In early March double figure counts were recorded on floodwater. They had disappeared by the end of the month. They were not seen again. Breeding was not confirmed.

Predominantly this site was watched by volunteers from Herefordshire Wildlife Trust. Despite their best endeavours curlew were not seen. We thank them for their efforts.

Madley:

This was previously identified as Wormhill.

There were very promising gatherings of curlew from 11th March, when up to seven (7) birds were present including a possible pair. Sightings continued until 8th April.  The pool to west which was the roost of previous years was being visited and observed from a distance on two occasions. The first occasion showed two birds were present however, on the second visit a dog was seen running through the water.

On 5th April, a secondary roost was located in a nearby field of wheat. It held three birds for several evenings, reducing to two birds. The last sighting was 25th April, when two birds flew in from the direction of the nest site.

Michaelchurch Escley:

The first report of returning birds was in mid March, the exact date is not known, across the road from a previous nesting field.

On 18^th April the male of the pair was caught, he was fitted with coloured rings and a GPS tracking device.

On 3^rd May a nest with a clutch of four eggs was located, by 8^th May it had been predated. On that date the data showed it spent nearly eight (8) hours moving around Newton St Margarets before returning to the fields adjacent to the empty nest.

15^th May, a new nest was located across the road from the predated nest, within a few days it was predated. The GPS data indicated another attempt to nest was made in an adjacent field. This was not located.

On 10^th June, a curlew was observed defending against a Buzzard, indicating the presence of either eggs or young. Curlew were not heard or seen again.

Monkland:

This site wasn’t visited this year as it not now considered to be a nesting territory.

Mordiford:

On 6^th April a pair were located on floodwater remains, the male was caught, fitted with coloured rings and a GPS tracking device. The male was observed with a female on territories at Rotherwas and Donnington.

Rowlestone:

The first bird was heard on 19^th March, on the last day of the month four birds were located, in a previous nest field and, two in the field beyond.

On 3^rd April, the male was caught, colour ringed and fitted with a GPS tracking device. That night it roosted on floodwater remains at Bacton, a previously unknown curlew roost location. He and his mate spent several nights here as did the female and her mate from Trewern.

15th April the tracker became detached, it was recovered close the the ringing location. Curlew were not observed again that month. It was presumed they had disappeared or, any nest was predated, as there was insufficient grass cover in the nest field, sheep were still grazing.

2nd May, a pair of curlew were located at Llanveynoe. The following day, the male from here was identified by the colour rings. It had translocated to Llanveynoe, a distance of 4.94km. It is not known if the same female that accompanied him.

6th June the male was observed at this site, in the field where curlew had nested in 2021. That was the last sighting in the county.

On 20th July the bird was photographed at Newton Beach, Bridgend, South Wales. It is not known if that is the wintering territory.

On 24^th November, it was seen in fields adjacent to Newton Nottage Road, Porthcawl, Mid Glamorgan, Wales.

Rotherwas:

Birds first arrived on 19th February with a maximum of ten birds until the river broke its banks on 14^th March, when a pair remained. This included the colour ringed female from Lower Lugg meadow and the male from Eau Withington.

On 7th April GPS data showed the male caught at Mordiford had located to the breeding territory at Rotherwas. During April the GPS data showed there was much activity with flights from Rotherwas to Lugg Meadows, Holme Lacy and Fownhope, Monkton, Ocle Pychard, Withington and Whitestone.

On 26th April he made a flight and spent time at Donnington, south of Ledbury before returning to the nest area. Donnington was a previously unknown curlew territory.

On 30th April the male again spent several hours at Donnington.

10th May he spent the night on the playing field of St Mary’s school, Lugwardine. This is a known night roost, having held several curlew in previous years.

21st June a colour ringed male with a non ringed female curlew were observed at this nest site, the alphanumerics could not be read. It was identified the following day as the male from this nest site.

3rd July was the last sighting.

St. Margarets:

Evidence provided by the GPS tracker suggests this may be an alternative site for the pair from Michaelchurch Escley. The colour ringed male and a non ringed female were observed on several occasions during the second half of April. There was not any evidence of breeding here.

Urishay Common:

There were two pairs here without any evidence of either pair settling to nest. The reason for this is unknown although it may have been due to the slow grass growth here compared to the lowland floodplains.

Six birds were seen briefly on 6^th March, presumably they were birds on migration, however, a single bird was seen on 19^th March.

On 21^st March a curlew was heard alarm calling, a single bird was seen chasing a female Sparrowhawk.

This suggested there was a possibility of nesting however, evidence did not support this. The last record was a bird calling on 8^th June.

Vagar Hill:

There was limited surveying of this site which did not produce any positive evidence of breeding although birds were present. On 11^th June a pair were observed. On 22^nd June behaviour from both birds suggested there may have been a nest with eggs or, possibly chicks.

On 4^th July curlew were not heard or seen.

Walterstone:

It has been thought that there was breeding territory here although, a territory has never been identified.

On 23^rd April information was received of two birds close to the border with Wales.

On 25^th April a male bird was caught, colour ringed and fitted with a GPS tracking device.

A breeding territory has still to be identified.

The GPS data revealed the bird was almost certainly a non breeding bird. It wandered far and wide frequently in and around Walterstone. It spent many days south of Llanfihangle Crucorney, Monmouthshire. It was very mobile.

On 2^nd May it flew south of Raglan before going to St. Briavels via Clearwell, Gloucestershire. Enquiries reveal there were previous curlew territories in these areas.

In 16^th May, the GPS tracker was recovered 1.61 kilometres southwest of Llanfihangle Crucorney. In a field where eight curlew were observed for several days previously. A nesting territory was identified nearby by Gwent Ornithological Club members.

On 16th June the male identified by colour rings was seen at Guscar Rocks, near Lydney on the Severn estuary. He has been reported on several occasions at this location.

Other Sites:

Reports were received of curlew being seen or heard at the following locations however, evidence of any territorial activity was not found. It is thought that these observations may relate to birds from nearby territories.

Callow, Cobhall Common, Sturts Nature Reserve and Willersley.

Other Activities:

In August, two volunteers trialled a stall at the Longtown Show to gauge the support/knowledge for Curlew from residents in the local area.  There is a lot of local affection and support for the birds but as not many farmers passed by, perhaps this was not in the right location at the show.  However, one person mentioned how very sad they are to have lost curlews from their land and, would love to have them back.  Another might be a potential volunteer for next year.  So not a wasted day.

Conclusions:

It can be seen from the foregoing, the situation for breeding curlew in Herefordshire remains precarious. Not only was there a poor breeding success rate but, the overall trend for the number of active sites in the county is in decline. It may be that 2023 was exceptional but, it is worrying to see that even “traditional” sites such as Lower Lugg Meadows (once a flagship site) are apparently becoming unattractive. There are several possible reasons for this including deterioration of habitat, changes in agricultural practices, weather conditions, the loss of breeding adults during winter, disruption by man or predators and insufficient recruitment of young adults to our breeding stock.

The reason for nest and egg loss is easier to explain and there is no doubt that the main cause of this is predation. Carrion crows have been seen taking eggs from a nest on three occasions during the life of the Project. They have been a highly probable, albeit circumstantial, suspect on many others. Mammalian predators cannot be ruled however, it is our intention to install camera traps (aka trail cams) on as many nests as possible in 2024 in order to evidence the suspects.

The identification of a predator presents another problem. How to deter them. Predation by foxes can be limited with electric fencing but, corvid control is a different matter. Their control really needs to be on a large scale, in this county it is neither practical nor sustainable. There may some possibilities at a local level however, we intend to investigate if this can be achieved.

After such another poor season, it is hard to escape the hypothesis that the Project is merely monitoring the extinction of curlew as a breeding species in Herefordshire. The group intend to continue our work in 2024, resume the GPS tagging and colour ringing project which was funded as a two year project and still has money in the pot. This has yielded some interesting information despite the problems with failing harnesses. Resolving this should go some way to understanding why our curlews are doing so badly and perhaps provide some hints about improving the situation.

Acknowledgements:

Herefordshire Ornithological Club

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust

All Landowners

All Volunteers

Chris Wells, Chris Robinson, Steve Watkins, Will Bullough.

Herefordshire Curlew Steering Group.