Duke of Norfolk wades in to rescue Britain’s curlews

The Duke of Norfolk organised the Queen’s funeral and is masterminding the first coronation in 80 years. He has somehow found time for another daunting challenge — helping restore Europe’s largest wading bird to its former habitat in southern England.

The Eurasian curlew, Numenius arquata, recognisable by its long, curved bill, has largely been wiped out in the south of the country, with pockets of fewer than 50 pairs remaining.

The species has been hard-hit by fox predation and farmers killing them as they mow grass for silage. Its breeding strongholds are now in the Pennine uplands, North Wales and Scotland. Its UK conservation status is red, at high risk — the worst possible classification.

Read the full article from The Times.