The curlew (Numnius Arquata) is a large wading bird with an impressive appearance and evocative call. About a quarter of the world's population of Curlew breed in the UK. There has been a steep decline in breeding population in recent decades, to the extent that they are expected to become extinct in some areas of the UK within the next 15 years. Curlews have now been identified as the bird species of highest conservation concern in the UK.
Large numbers of curlew gather and feed in Combs valley and on the Wildlife Site Fields No.3, 4 and 5 for a few weeks in March, before dispersing to breed elsewhere. The most we have seen at one time on the wildlife site was 190 birds in March 2017, see this video. According to Derbyshire Ornithological Society this is the largest number of curlews recorded in Derbyshire since 1980. From April onwards we usually only see and hear the occasional one or two curlews visiting the wildlife site.
Photographs of Curlew
Click on the photograph for larger images and captions.
Sightings of Curlew on the Site
The chart below shows the maximum number of Curlew seen on the wildlife site each month for selected years. Click or tap the year buttons to show monthly population counts for each year. Hover over or tap the chart to display the number observed in any selected month.
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Further Information
For further information on the Curlew, please click here.
