Bird Watching or Twitching in Andalucia Southern Spain

March 2005, Curlew, Numenius arquata

Curlew

The curlew is a migrant in this region and can be seen from October to April. During the winter it favours marismas and estuaries. At the moment there are a few at Rinconcillo. Some may even have come from the northern moors of England where they breed and spend the summer. The first indication that curlews are around is often the call, a soft, melancholy whistle, 'cour - lee' and a sharper 'curlew' when alarmed, from which its common name derives.

The curlew is a large wader, with grey brown flecked plumage and a distinctive long, downcurved bill. It has long grey legs that allow it to stand in fairly deep water and probe in the mud for worms.