About

Join the RSPB's Suzannah Rockett for an evening uncovering the story of the curlew, its decline, and the fight to keep its song alive.

The bubbling song of the curlew is the evocative call of spring. Its haunting sound was once common across the UK, from lowland grasslands to the upland moors, as pairs headed inland every year to breed. The largest of our native wading birds, the curlew - with its long down-curved bill - is a common sight around the UK coasts from late summer until early spring. But these numbers are deceptive: this is a species in steep decline.

The curlew is a 'red listed' species, its population has halved since the mid-1990s; it is now considered the bird of greatest conservation concern. The reason for the collapse in numbers? Not enough chicks surviving to fledge into adults. Curlews are long-lived birds, reaching into their 20s and even 30s, largely why they're still with us as a breeding bird at all.

This talk will cover the reasons behind the decline of this iconic species, the urgency needed to protect it, and the people and projects across the country who are working tirelessly to ensure future generations know its beautiful song.

Suzannah Rockett is the Species Recovery Officer for Curlew with the RSPB, has previously delivered the Curlew LIFE project and works with a wide range of organisations and communities united by their passion for the curlew.

Tickets
£10