Cracking project: RAF egg rescue

The RAF is helping conservationsists to rescue curlew eggs laid on airfields.

Europe’s largest wading bird has suffered a catastrophic decline in Britain over the past 40 years but a rescue operation is being mounted in Norfolk, one of its last strongholds.

Curlews prefer to nest in wide open spaces that make it easier for them to spot predators, so they favour airfields, which resemble the natural open grasslands they prefer. Security fencing at airfields can also help deter predators such as foxes.

Now, any eggs laid in nests that are too close to runways are being taken to safe locations to be incubated, and the chicks can be released when they are big enough to fend for themselves.

Air Commodore Sam Sansome, the RAF’S inspector of safety, said it was so proud to be supporting the project and added: “It is brilliant that organisations have pulled together to ensure the future of this iconic bird.”*