Curlew Song

I gave a talk at New Networks for Nature conference last November, a précis of the talk is here.  Listening were a folk singing duo called Barron Brady who had provided the music for the event.  Ros has a clear, intense voice and Simon plays the guitar beautifully.  I talked about the role religions have in the conservation movement and used curlews, not as an example of creatures in decline, but as a bird that can be viewed in many different ways.

A curlew can be Numenius arquata to the scientifically minded, it can be "a thought of God" as Thomas Merton would have said.  They can be seen as specific creation of Allah, or as a spark of light from the flame of Lord Shiva.  They could even just be a brown bird with a long nose and a beautiful bubbling call.  All are valid, all have a place at the table.

After the conference Ros contacted me to ask more about curlews and I told her the story of St Bueno's prayer book being rescued from the waves by a curlew.  St Bueno then supposedly blessed the bird and said it should be forever protected.  That blessing worked well for a long time, but needs a refresh now.  St Bueno's feast day is April 21st, the day I set off on my 500 mile walk.

Well, today Barron Brady sent me this haunting song.  Thank you to them, its a fitting tribute to a fabulous bird.

St Bueno and the Curlew

              

                        St Beuno and the Eurasian curlew ("Eurasian Curlew" by Andreas Trepte)

In the 7th C AD the grand old welsh St Bueno was sailing between  Llanddwyn and Clynnog when he dropped his prayer book onto the sea.  Suddenly a curlew swooped down, scooped up the book and took it to the shore where it was laid out to dry on rocks.  When St Bueno arrived he was so grateful he blessed the curlew and prayed for its protection.  Hence forth the nest of this most lovely of birds is very difficult to find.

In fact today in Wales it is even more difficult to find as it seems the prayer of St Bueno has run out of steam.  According to a report from the BTO this month "Curlew is one of the upland species that has shown the greatest decline (-49%) and is now considered too be the UK's highest conservation priority." Declines are particularly evident in southern Ireland and Wales.  See this excellent blog by Graham Appleton.

How can this be?  In Ireland curlew were legally shot during November but due to the drastic fall in numbers (2000 breeding pairs in 2001, less than 200 today) that was banned in 2012.  Habitat loss?  Disturbance by dogs then predation of the eggs by crows? Is this a bird out of time?

What can be done?  I might walk from Norfolk to West Ireland dressed like a curlew to raise awareness - and hopefully funds.  Anyone like to join me for sections?

I'd like to walk from possibly Westport in Co Mayo to the Wash, taking in Aberffraw to visit St Bueno's church in Anglesey.

Anyone know who could help make a curlew costume? I don't want it to be whacky, rather more beautiful symbolising what curlews have given is in terms of poetry, literature, music and art. A clothes designer who can work with something waterproof and sturdy to withstand rain and wind!

Any help gratefully received.