In Flanders, the curlew is doing less and less well. This stilt-walker with its striking beak has been on the Red List of threatened breeding birds since 2017 and is therefore an important focus species for Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. Indeed, the Grenspark is one of the few locations in the Benelux where the curlew still breeds in heathland.
Protection programme for meadow birds
Therefore, as part of the species protection programme for meadow birds(SBP meadow birds) in 2022, the Grenspark investigated various possibilities to better protect the curlew. For the third consecutive year, managers and volunteers have worked to promote the breeding success of the curlew in Grenspark Kalmthoutse Heide. This is done through nest protection. In spring, volunteers start searching for curlew nests. Like last year, a nest was found this year too, in the area of Drielingvennen. Together with the Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB), a 10ร10-metre grid was placed around the nest as soon as possible and a camera trap was installed to monitor the nest remotely. After placement, it was observed whether the curlew pair returned to the nest, which fortunately it did.
Successful breeding season
All four eggs hatched successfully. The young curlews were equipped with a transmitter, ringed and given a white colour ring with code and a yellow thin colour ring. It was striking that the young could move quite far, which did not make it easy to find them even with the help of a transmitter. When the young were close to fledging, one transmitter was unfortunately recovered from a fox hole, belonging to the youngest offspring. Presumably the three oldest young did make it, but we will only know for sure after a few years, when they will be spotted thanks to colour-rings.
This project was carried out in cooperation with the Agency for Nature and Forests and Natuurpunt Studie. We thank all volunteers and managers for their efforts.
Read background information on the species protection programme here.
Thanks to Griet Nijs for the photos.