Curlew - Numenius arquata
Other Names
Description
The Curlew is the largest European wading bird, instantly recognisable on winter estuaries or summer moors by its long, down-curved bill, brown upperparts, long legs and evocative onomatopeic
call. Larger and with a bigger bill than the similar, but less common, Whimbrel which has a more prominent supercillium than Curlew. Curlews feed on mud or very soft ground, searching for worms and other invertebrates with their long bills. They will also take crabs and similar items.
Photo ID?
Habitat
Most coastal habitats, mud flats and estuaries and inland on muddy margins of reservoirs and lakes and occasionally damp fields. Greatest breeding numbers are found in North Wales, the Pennines, the southern uplands and eastern Highlands of Scotland and the Northern Isles.
When to see it
All year round. Coastal numbers build up from July and reach a peak in January and February.
Life History
Migrant/resident breeder (100,000+ breeding pairs), passage/winter visitor (160,000+ birds overwintering).
VC55 Status
Uncommon passage and scarce winter visitor, scarce breeder.
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Rod Baker
Rutland Water - 06 March 2012 -
Chris Lythall
Rutland Water - 26 August 2005 -
Chris Lythall
Rutland Water - 26 August 2005 -
Rod Baker
Rutland Water - 02 January 2012 -
Rod Baker
Rutland Water - 06 March 2012
Leicestershire & Rutland
UK Map
On the Leicestershire & Rutland map above, red = NatureSpot records, green = NBN records. You can add a dot to this map if you submit a wildlife sighting (with or without an image). You can also find out more about these species distribution maps on our Maps help page.
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