Search for Slender-billed Curlew

[john]

As many might be aware the RSPB and Birdlife International have organised a search for the elusive, near, if not actually extinct, Slender-billed Curlew (details at www.slenderbilledcurlew.net).  Next month's (i.e. Jan 2009) Birdwatch magazine here in the UK carried a detailed article and has a special 4 page laminated 'toolkit' for finding and identifying the species.  Evidently it frequently wintered on the marsimas of southern Spain in the 19th century and some of the last confirmed sightings were in Morroco in 1995.  Although as many as 30 birds were seen in Algeria in 1982 and there have been unconfirmed reports in Hungary (of 5 birds) as recently as 2002, there have been no certain records since 1999.  Oddly, of all the species' regular haunts in the 19th century, only Spain hasn't seen any records since 1900.

There must be a better chance of winning the lottery or seeing Andalusian Hemipode, but why not check those wader flocks with extra care?

John

[john]

An eagle eyed correspondent on another forum has pointed out that, contra the article in 'Birdwatch',   Slender-billed Curlew has been recorded from Spain sine 1900 (but only just!).  Evidently Prague museum's collection contains  a  juvenile male, collected by Friedrich Maria von Dalberg at Málaga (36°48'N 4°45'W), Spain, in 1904.  Although, as the coordinates are that of the city of Málaga, the specimen could have been collected anywhere in its wider surroundings.  Unfortunately the exact date of collection seems unknown,