Having accepted the invitation to become the Species Champion for the Curlew, Mark Isherwood AM met with RSPB Cymru and the National Trust last week to visit a number of areas on farms in North Wales which are being specifically managed for the benefit of curlew.
Mr Isherwood signed up to become Species Champion for the Curlew at the launch of the Species Champions Initiative in May.
The project launched by Wales Environment Link (WEL) seeks to connect Assembly Members with key species present within their constituency or region.
RSPB Cymru, alongside a number of other nature organisations, is taking part in the project which is aimed at raising awareness of nature in Wales within the Senedd.
Mr Isherwood said:
“I very much enjoyed my visit to the North Wales Moors and finding out more about what is being done to protect the Curlew, which is the largest European wading bird.
“The Curlew is instantly recognisable on winter estuaries and on its summer breeding grounds by its large size, long, downcurved bill, brown upperparts and long legs. Its song is haunting and evocative, for many people it is the call of wild upland areas. The North Wales moors now support the largest population of breeding curlew in Wales, with birds returning to nest in spring.
“In recent decades curlew numbers have declined in Wales. In 2006, the last estimate considered there to be just over 1,000 pairs of curlew breeding in Wales. The future of the Curlew in Wales is largely dependent on getting upland habitat management right. RSPB Cymru is working in partnership with the National Trust and a number of farmers across Hiraethog and the Migneint to trial different types of habitat management along with a programme of carefully monitored predator control.”
Arfon Williams (Land Use Manager, RSPB Cymru) said:
“We are delighted to show Mark the work we are doing for curlew on the North Wales Moors. This area is particularly important for curlew as it supports the largest population of breeding curlew in Wales.
“One of the biggest challenges for curlew in the uplands is getting the habitat management right. We are working in partnership to trial different approaches including rush cutting and a carefully monitored programme of predator control. How we manage these sites in the future to maintain them in good condition for curlew will be critical. The most effective way of doing this will be through the use of farmed livestock; cattle are particularly good at grazing coarse vegetation but there has been a worrying decline in upland cattle numbers in recent years.”
Dewi Davies (Upper Conwy Catchment Project Manager, National Trust) said:
“Hearing the haunting call of the curlew in the uplands is a great indicator of a healthy and diverse landscape. We’re really pleased to be able to work with RSPB, the National Assembly’s Curlew Species Champion, Mark Isherwood, and local tenants to take vital steps towards increasing curlew populations on this special site in Wales. Birds like the curlew don’t abide by human boundaries, so it’s crucial we work with our neighbours and key partners for the wellbeing of the local community and the wider landscape of Upper Conwy.”