Rare Nest of Endangered Curlew Discovered in Significant Conservation Win

Conservationists have hailed the discovery of a curlew nest and its eggs as a "remarkable" milestone, offering fresh hope for the critically endangered species. The Sliabh Beagh Curlew Conservation Trust shared video footage of the bird with its clutch on social media this Saturday, highlighting the significance of the find.

With curlew populations in Ireland having plummeted by more than 98% since the 1980s, the Trust described the event as a genuinely significant and optimistic development for conservation efforts. Once a ubiquitous presence in the landscape, the bird is now scarce, with estimates suggesting only 150 breeding pairs remain in Northern Ireland.

Donal Beagan, the Nest Protection and Headstarting Manager for the Breeding Waders EIP project, expressed that locating the bird with its nest and eggs was "really exciting." The pair was initially spotted last month in the Sliabh Beagh region, an area spanning the border between Northern Ireland’s Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh and the Republic’s County Monaghan.

Upon closer inspection, researchers identified colored rings on the legs of one of the curlews, revealing it to be a "headstarted bird from 2024." Beagan explained that the headstarting program serves as an emergency intervention designed to bolster declining populations. The process involves removing vulnerable nests from the wild for artificial incubation. Chicks are raised until they are capable of flight before being released back into their natural habitat.

"This nesting bird is particularly exciting because it is the first record we have of a headstarted curlew returning to breeding grounds and potentially reproducing," Beagan noted. He emphasized that this could indicate that population-boosting strategies are proving effective, calling the development of "a lot of significance."

The nest, which holds three eggs, was located using GPS thermal technology. Beagan speculated that this might be a second nesting attempt, given that it was discovered late in the breeding season. He remarked that three eggs is a normal count for a young bird.

Beagan described the find as "really, really exciting" and stated that he and his team would closely monitor the bird’s progress throughout the season. "It's really hopeful that bird will be able to hatch out young from that nest and ultimately rear those to a point of fledge," he said.

However, Beagan cautioned that challenges remain. The eggs are only about two weeks into a 28-day incubation period. Furthermore, any chicks that successfully hatch will require an additional 40 to 45 days before they can fly.

This discovery follows earlier successes, such as when firefighters rescued curlew eggs from a significant wildfire in County Fermanagh earlier this year, saving them from a nest directly in the blaze's path. Beagan characterized the current period as "really interesting, really exciting," expressing optimism for future population growth.

The Trust urged the public to remain vigilant. "If you see a curlew with colour rings on, please pay close attention and report them to the authorities," Beagan advised.

In their Facebook post, the Sliabh Beagh Curlew Conservation Trust acknowledged that this milestone would not have been achievable without the Breeding Waders EIP Project. They also extended their gratitude to RSPB Northern Ireland, local landowners, volunteers, and all individuals dedicated to safeguarding curlews across Ireland, reiterating the importance of public reports on any sightings.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-31 12:01:11 UTC