Curlew nest found by crews tackling Co Fermanagh wildfire is removed to safety

By Rebecca Black, Press Association

A curlew nest in the path of a wildfire in Co Fermanagh has been removed to safety.

Firefighters discovered the nest and eggs of the distinctive bird whose numbers have dramatically declined in recent decades, as they battled a significant blaze in Brookeborough this week.

It was the latest among a spate of wildfires across Northern Ireland in recent weeks.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said 85 firefighters tackled a wildfire in Brookeborough on Thursday for eight hours, with the blaze burning approximately 1.75 square kilometres of land.

“During the incident, firefighters discovered a curlew nest in the fire’s path, and despite challenging conditions, protected it whilst continuing firefighting operations,” a spokesperson said.

“Working with the RSPB, the eggs were safely removed for incubation where they now have a chance of survival.”

The distinctive birds, with their long bills and haunting calls, were once common in Northern Ireland but had declined by almost 82 per cent since 1987 to just 150 breeding pairs and were described as facing the threat of extinction.

Last year the RSPB hailed the efforts of dedicated staff and local farmers working in partnership through the Curlew Life project following a resurgence in numbers.

The NIFRS has urged the public to act responsibly in the countryside and to report fires immediately.