Curlew Watch

As far back as 1992 concern was being expressed about the plight of the Bush Curlew (Bush Thick knee) through the pages of the Wildlife Australia Magazine. A Friends group was set up in Victoria with the aim of bringing to public attention the declining numbers of both the Bush Curlew (Burhinus grallarius) and the lesser known Beach Curlew (Esacus neglectus). Both these birds are extremely vulnerable because of their particular life style and responses to predators. Both live in the Bayside (Redland and Wynnum/Manly) area of southeast Queensland.

Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland Bayside Branch (WPSQBB) is conducting an ongoing survey of Curlew populations.

Because the Bush Curlew and the Beach Curlew are disappearing in many parts of Australia, it is important to collect information in southeast Queensland to establish their status here. Volunteer curlew surveyors are playing a vital role in ensuring this information is collected and collated into a useable form. New volunteer curlew observers are always welcome.

What Are They? Distribution Threats Reporting Sightings How to Care for Them Some Science

Often these birds are heard rather than seen so records of hearing the birds could be as important as records of sightings. They call at night when they are most active perusing their food or a mate. Their call sounds like a loud, haunting, mournful wail.

Curlews rarely fly spending their time on the ground. Their eggs are laid directly on the ground in the case of the Bush Curlew and on a sandy beach in the case of the Beach Curlew. The Curlew is a large bird standing 55 cm tall, which relies on camouflage for protection, which unfortunately, is now seldom sufficient. Eggs, chicks and adult birds are all vulnerable to

• predation by foxes, dogs and cats
• loss of habitat
• disturbance when nesting
• being run over by motor vehicles

"A big thanks must go to the volunteers who have supplied us with valuable information about the curlew. Their observations and past research have been compiled together to provide the contents of this information sheet. This sheet provides general information but future ones will provide greater detail. We hope you enjoy reading this information sheet and perhaps consider, or continue, to participate in this survey or some other worthwhile conservation initiative."