Sadly, the iconic Eurasian Curlew is in serious decline - the UK population has fallen by a staggering 48% between 1995 and 2020. Recognising the power of community involvement, the Nidderdale National Landscape team launched the "Nidderdale Curlews" citizen science app in March of this year. Powered by Coreo, this innovative app enables residents and visitors to contribute vital data on curlew distribution, fostering a deeper understanding of these vulnerable birds and informing targeted conservation strategies.
Understanding the precise distribution of curlews across the expansive Nidderdale National Landscape is crucial for effective conservation. Traditional survey methods, relying on limited personnel, often struggle to capture the full picture.
Curlew Citizen Scientists
The Nidderdale Curlews app, built on the Coreo platform, provides a simple and intuitive interface for recording curlew sightings. Users can easily log observations while exploring the landscape, contributing valuable data with just a few taps on their smartphones. Coreo's robust mapping and data management capabilities ensure accurate recording and seamless data integration.
The app's success is evident in its rapid adoption. Within just two months of its launch, the Nidderdale Curlews app has:
- Attracted 93 active users, demonstrating strong community engagement.
- Generated 315 valuable curlew records, significantly expanding the available dataset.
- Empowered everyday citizens to become active contributors to curlew conservation.
- Increased public awareness of the plight of the curlew.
Nigel is one of the local people that has embraced the app, and regularly uses it to record curlews.
“Walking around the beautiful Nidderdale countryside is always a pleasure, especially in spring when the world seems to come alive again. The haunting cry of the declining curlew is perhaps the most iconic sounds and in Nidderdale we are fortunate to still hear it. The Coreo app is an easy way to monitor curlew numbers. It's grand that folk can help monitor and conserve this special bird in such a rewarding way.”
Nigel Heptinstall, Nidderdale lad born and bred.
The Nidderdale Curlews app represents a powerful tool for collaborative conservation. By empowering citizen scientists to contribute vital data, the project is building a more comprehensive understanding of curlew distribution and informing effective conservation strategies.
Urgent Appeal to help protect curlews
Do you live, work or regularly visit Nidderdale? The Nidderdale National Landscape is urgently appealing for help to protect this iconic and much-loved bird. To learn more about the project and download the Nidderdale Curlews app to contribute your sightings, visit the Nidderdale National Landscape website.
Alternatively, if you’d like to help raise funds to continue the conservation effort, you can donate here.