Recent articles on Slender-billed Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris)

The occurrence of a 1st-year Slender-billed Curlew at Druridge Bay, Northumberland, UK in May 1998 is widely acknowledged to be one of the most incredible bird records ever. This is due to the rarity of the species, with breeding grounds currently unknown despite extensive searches of suitable habitat, including the areas Siberia where it was last seen in breeding habitat in the 1920's, and wintering records from the last regular site in Morocco having all but dried up.

More information on this record is available for example on the Birdguides website. Recent published articles on the sighting and the Slender-billed Curlew in general, include:

  1. Cleeves, T. (2002) "Slender-billed Curlew in Northumberland: new to Britain and Ireland". British Birds 95(6), pp. 272-278
  2. Steele, J. & Vangeluwe, D. (2002) "From the Rarities Committee's files: The Slender-billed Curlew at Druridge Bay, Northumberland, in 1998". British Birds 95(6), pp. 279-299
  3. Bradshaw, C. (2002) "Commentary, on behalf of the British Birds Rarities Committee". British Birds 95(6), p. 299
  4. Meek, E. (2002) "Commentary, on behalf of the British Ornithologist Union Records Committee". British Birds 95(6), p. 299
  5. Papps, S. (2002) "Last of the Curlews". Birdwatch Issue 119 (May), pp. 22-25
  6. Van der Have, T.M., Keijl, G.O., Mansoori, J. & Morozov, V.V. (2001) "Searching for Slender-billed Curlews in Iran, January-February 2000". WIWO (Foundation Working Group International Wader and Waterfowl Research) - report 72
  7. Gallo-Orsi, U. & Boere, G. C. (2001) "The Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris: threats and conservation". Acta Ornithologica 36, pp. 73-78
  8. Gretton, A., Yurlov, A. K. & Boere, G. C. (2002) "Where does the Slender-billed Curlew nest, and what future does it have?". British Birds 95(7), pp. 334-344
  9. McGhie, H. A. (2002) "The eggs of the Slender-billed Curlew at The Manchester Museum: a unique specimen?". British Birds 95(7), pp. 359-360

NB - despite a meticulously documented review process (cf. articles 1-3), the identity of the bird in question is still contested by some. Some disputed whether one of the plates in the first article listed (plate 164) really shows the bird in question (see recent discussion on Surfbirds mailing list) but a response posted by BBRC seems now to have settled this.

Not taking anything away from the record, I have not given it top spot in my personal "incredible birds" rankings because given the continuing survival of the species, the UK is not that strange a place to find a vagrant Siberian-breeding wader. Nevertheless, if the species does become extinct the fact that one of the last sightings should be here in the UK is almost beyond belief, and I might be tempted to re-order my list!

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