CURLEW numbers are in "catastrophic decline" according to a conservation charity dedicated to the bird, which is now celebrating its fourth year. 

Curlew Recovery South Lakes is a new charity set up to help local breeding pairs. The birds are failing to breed successfully due to predators such as foxes, badgers, and crows stealing eggs from the ground-nesting curlews. 

The Westmorland Gazette: Curlews are ground-nesting birds, their eggs are often stolen by predatorsCurlews are ground-nesting birds, their eggs are often stolen by predators (Image: Curlew Recovery South Lakes)

The group of volunteers find nests and then set up electric fences with the permission of the farmers to make it harder for predators to get to the eggs and to prevent trampling. 

The charity says that it works with farmers as closely as possible to avoid any agricultural losses. 

The group said that so far this year (May) volunteers have found 17 nests and fenced 11. However five nests were lost to predation before they could be fenced, and one was lost after fencing. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The group said that curlew numbers are in 'catastrophic decline' The group said that curlew numbers are in 'catastrophic decline' (Image: Curlew Recovery South Lakes)

Susannah Bleakley, one of the volunteers, said: "The haunting call of the curlew is a beautiful reminder of the return of spring. With their distinctive long down-curved bill and large size, curlews are a wonderful part of our local landscape.

"However, curlews are failing to breed successfully, and their numbers are in catastrophic decline here, and throughout the UK.

The Westmorland Gazette: A curlew in flight. The bird has a distinctive call which makes it one of the more famous wading birds in the UK. Photo by John Dodds.A curlew in flight. The bird has a distinctive call which makes it one of the more famous wading birds in the UK. Photo by John Dodds. (Image: John Dodds)

"The Lyth Valley is one of their last lowland breeding strongholds, and even here, curlews are failing to rear chicks. We think only one fledged last year, and the same the year before. Curlews nest on the ground, favouring open areas to watch out for predators.

"In common with all ground-nesting birds, they are vulnerable to predation from foxes, badgers, and crows.

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"Every nest counts, and the charity is committed to doing all it can to ensure that these precious birds can thrive."

The group keeps an active Facebook page where it posts photos of the birds and how the nests are progressing. 

It is a registered charity and is looking for new supporters to help with its conservation work. 

The group asked interested volunteers to contact Susannah and Barny at curlewrecoverysl@gmail.com.