Stone Curlew

Last week I was assisting the RSPB Stone Curlew team with trying to locate and catch chicks.


The Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) is a rare summer visitor, arriving in March and departing again in October. They can be seen during the day but are more active at night.

There is a breeding population of about 300 pairs in the UK (two thirds of which breed in Norfolk and Suffolk). The nest is a shallow scrape in the ground with usually 2-3 eggs laid in it.

The chicks are captured, weighed, various measurements taken and then given a unique combination of colour rings on the legs, which allows individuals to be identified at some distance with binoculars of a telescope.

You can find out more information at the links below;

http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/stonecurlew/index.asp

http://www.ukbap.org.uk/ukplans.aspx?ID=175