Did you know that the Upper Thames is an important breeding area for a very special bird? The curlew is a large, long-legged wading bird with a hugely long, downcurved beak and amazing bubbling call. They are very distinctive!
You may be more used to seeing curlews at the coast, but the birds come inland to breed, from March to July each year, before returning to the coast for the autumn and winter.
Many of the meadows along the Thames between Lechlade and Oxford provide suitable nesting habitat for curlews. They nest on the ground so they require large undisturbed fields where they can stay safe from predators.
Curlews typically lay their eggs in late April in a simple nest made from grass. Provided the eggs stay safe (sadly many don’t), the chicks hatch 4 weeks later in late May. It is then a further 6 weeks until the chicks can fly (typically mid July) so they are very vulnerable to predators during this entire period. Sadly many don’t survive to adulthood.
Walking the Thames Path at this time of year provides an ideal opportunity to see and hear curlew so don’t forget your binoculars! Please do your part to help them nest successfully by sticking to the footpath and keeping dogs on leads. Only by working together can we ensure that they are still here for future generations to enjoy in another 30 years.
Article by Anne Cotton, Upper Thames Curlew Recovery Project
Credit for image in header: Denis Kennedy
Image below shows Curlew chicks in their nest
