Literature review to assess bird species connectivity to Special ...

2.16 Curlew
2.16.1 Foraging
Core foraging range
Curlew tend to forage within 0.5 and 1km of nest sites, with regular foraging up to
1.5km (authors’ experience).
2.16.2 Nesting
A study of breeding curlew at Monk’s Moor, Upper Teesdale, found that first-year
burned areas were used as nesting habitat at a greater frequency than would be
expected based on the availability of this habitat (Robson et al., 1995).
2.16.3 Display flights
Defence of territory is by both sexes, but mainly the male (Cramp & Simmons, 1983).
The male marks the territory using an undulating display flight, which usually involves
a low flight that rises steeply on fluttering wings, followed by a brief hovering and then
gliding back down. This is then repeated (Cramp & Simmons, 1983). Male display
flights can be up to 1.5km from the territory centre (authors experience).
2.16.4 Competitive behaviour
No information on pertinent to connectivity was found.
2.16.5 Habitat use
Chick habitat choice
Curlews breed in upland areas in Britain, generally up to 550m a.s.l., and
occasionally up to 760m a.s.l. The Monk’s Moor study which radio-tracked four
broods (Robson et al., 1995) found chicks showed a preference for first-year burned
areas, as well as Juncus effusus flush, based on a greater use of these habitats than
would be expected based on their availability (Robson et al., 1995).
2.16.6 Winter behaviour
No information on pertinent to connectivity was found.
2.16.7 Dispersal
Chick dispersal
Median distances from the nest for the four broods radio-tracked in the Monk’s Moor
study were 99m, 196m, 196m, and 267m (mean: 190m), whilst maximum distances
were 185m, 207m, 318m and 489m (mean: 300m) (Robson et al., 1995).
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