As regular CFZ-watchers will know, for some time Corinna has been doing a column for Animals & Men and a regular segment on On The Track... particularly about out-of-place birds and rare vagrants. There seem to be more and more bird stories from all over the world hitting the news these days so, to make room for them all - and to give them all equal and worthy coverage - she has set up this new blog to cover all things feathery and Fortean.

Sunday 25 February 2018

As 'they risk becoming memory', GPS technology is being used to help save the curlew


ONE OF Scotland’s most threatened birds, the curlew, has been tracked for the first time using GPS in an effort to save the species. The waders were fitted with GPS trackers in southern Scotland as part of a groundbreaking pilot study to see where they go during their crucial breeding season.

PUBLISHED: 00:00, Mon, Feb 19, 2018

GPS trackers are being used to protect curlews

The RSPB study found adults will travel up to two kilometres to favoured foraging spots, while their partner incubates eggs on the nest, but while rearing young chicks, they stay within 300m to protect them.

The discovery – which highlights the importance of maintaining diverse habitats for curlews to nest and forage on a landscape scale – could be used to help design conservation measures to save the species.

Dr Steven Ewing, senior conservation scientist at RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science, said yesterday: “Curlews are instantly recognisable to all, but like other species before it, they risk becoming just another memory lost to future generations.

“Developing effective conservation strategies demands a good understanding of the species’ needs, as the lack of one important requirement could limit the effectiveness of conservation efforts.


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