CURLEWS have been seen again on Lugg Meadows Hereford.

There have been declines in the breeding population of the bird throughout much of the country, so conservationists are delighted to see them return for the mating season.

With a haunting call and unmistakable long curved bill, the curlew is an iconic wetland bird.

In the past, the bird bred in significant numbers on Lugg Meadow, but they have drastically declined in recent decades.

Last spring, just three pairs tried to breed on Lower Lugg Meadow, though none successfully raised a brood.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and Herefordshire Ornithological Club are encouraging people to keep dogs on leads on the Upper Lugg Meadow while the Lower Lugg Meadow is closed to the public under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act from 1st March to July 31 each year to ensure the birds are not disturbed.

This year temporary electric fencing is being set up around the areas where the birds nest.

The fencing will protect the nest from predators such as foxes, but preventing disturbance from any people that stray on to the site is equally important. If walkers or dogs disturb a bird while it is sitting on eggs it will often fly up, leaving the nest vulnerable to predators like crows. 

Curlew no longer nest on the Upper Lugg as there is too much disturbance from dogs. 

The Curlew population declined by 46 per cent across the UK from 1994 to 2010, and the species was added to the UK red list in December 2015.

The exact number of breeding pairs of curlew in Herefordshire is unknown, but is certainly declining.

The Birds of Herefordshire report in 2017 said that there were 77 records from 33 sites.

Though not confirmed, it is thought that curlew bred at just seven of these sites, so ensuring Lugg Meadow continues to support a breeding population is vital.

Curlew are faithful to their breeding grounds so once all breeding pairs are lost from a site it is unlikely they will return in future years.

Pete Johnson, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust’s reserve officer for Lugg Meadow, said: “To have curlew so close to Hereford is really special, and we want to do all we can to bolster this population.

"It’s magical to hear them across the meadow and would be great if they bred successfully here this year.”

 Anyone wishing to be involved with caring for Lugg Meadows and its wildlife should get in touch with Herefordshire Wildlife Trust, which supports a volunteer group that carries out habitat management and monitoring of the curlew at the site.

Email enquiries@herefordshirewt.co.uk or call 01432 356872.