ONE OF Scotland’s most threatened
birds, the curlew, has been tracked for the first time using GPS in an effort
to save the species. The waders were fitted with GPS trackers in southern
Scotland as part of a groundbreaking pilot study to see where they go during
their crucial breeding season.
PUBLISHED: 00:00, Mon, Feb
19, 2018
GPS trackers are being used to
protect curlews
The RSPB study found adults will
travel up to two kilometres to favoured foraging spots, while their partner
incubates eggs on the nest, but while rearing young chicks, they stay within
300m to protect them.
The discovery – which highlights
the importance of maintaining diverse habitats for curlews to nest and forage
on a landscape scale – could be used to help design conservation measures to
save the species.
Dr Steven Ewing, senior
conservation scientist at RSPB’s Centre for Conservation Science, said
yesterday: “Curlews are instantly recognisable to all, but like other species
before it, they risk becoming just another memory lost to future generations.
“Developing effective
conservation strategies demands a good understanding of the species’ needs, as
the lack of one important requirement could limit the effectiveness of
conservation efforts.
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