Curley among five species added to "Red List" of endangered species

More than a quarter of UK birds are in need of urgent conservation effort with curlew, puffin and nightingale joining the growing list of threatened species, according to a new report.
 The state of the UK’s birds 2016 (SUKB) report highlights how they are considered at risk of global extinction.
Downward trends for upland species continue, with five added to the endangered Red List.
Europe’s largest and most distinctive wader – the curlew – has been added to the Red List and is joined by dotterel, whinchat, grey wagtail and merlin.
This highlights the fact many of the UK’s upland species are in increasing trouble with the total number of upland birds red-listed now 12.
Hosting up to a quarter of the global breeding population of curlew, the UK could be considered one of the most important countries in the world for breeding curlews.
But in recent decades, numbers have almost halved due to habitat loss. With a much smaller population, predators are now having an effect on what was a resilient population.
 The curlew is considered “near threatened” globally and with urgent action required to halt their decline, an International Single Species Action Plan has been created.
Dr Daniel Hayhow, RSPB conservation scientist, said: “Curlews are instantly recognisable on winter estuaries or summer moors by their striking long, curved beak, long legs and evocative call.
“They are one of our most charismatic birds and also one of our most important.
“The state of the UKs birds report shows that through land management, new research and existing data, the International Single Species Action Plan aims to understand the key causes of curlew declines across the UK and the Republic of Ireland and take action to reverse this trend.”
Geoff Hilton, head of conservation science at WWT, added: “The call of the curlew is one of the really magical elements of British nature, celebrated in poetry and song. 
“Now we know that we are losing them; fewer and fewer people are getting to experience their song.
“But the curlew has one big thing in its favour – it is loved by many, many people. I’ve seen the enthusiasm and determination to turn their fortunes around – from farmers, conservationists and the public – and this convinces me that we can do so.”
 The report contains good news for some species. Golden eagle numbers have increased by 15 per cent since the previous survey in 2003. There is good news for cirl buntings too, which are now estimated to have more than 1,000 breeding pairs.
The winter thrushes survey shows how important the UK is for continental migrating birds. In addition, a number of species have moved off the Red list to the Amber or Green lists. Two species, the bittern and nightjar, have moved from Red to Amber thanks to the creation and management of suitable habitat, and an additional 22 species have moved from the Amber to the Green list, most notably the red kite, once one of the UK’s most threatened species.