By Evie Drinnan
As a community, we feel New Farm Park is our backyard – we think there is nothing we do not know about it.
But most people are not aware it is a home of the elusive, nationally rare Bush Stone-Curlew (Burhinus grallarius).
Although many of us don’t notice them, these birds are a talking point of visitors to Brisbane.
A Victorian friend of mine heard its call outside and excitedly interrupted dinner, asking: “Is that a curlew? In Brisbane?!”
Amanda Maggs from Brisbane City Council and curlew researcher Scott O’Keeffe published an article in the Land For Wildlife newsletter about their behaviour.
Although they are nocturnal and have underground burrows, curlews can sometimes be seen in the day standing still beneath vegetation with their eyes closed.
Their call is a distinctive, eerie wail, usually heard at night.
According to Birdlife Australia, they have a unique courtship ritual, spending at least an hour with their wings outstretched and head held high, marching and singing.
Their population is in decline nationally due to habitat destruction (open areas where they live such as grasslands and open woodland are now often grazed or residential), climate change, pressure from invasive species (especially foxes and feral dogs and cats), and the disturbance of nesting areas.
They are listed as endangered in New South Wales and threatened in Victoria.
In Queensland, however, they are still considered common.
Curlews have adapted well to changes in Queensland’s landscape, even in urban areas.
In Brisbane, they can be found in parks, golf courses, university grounds, near shopping centres, walking tracks and roadsides.
Although common in Brisbane, it is important we do our best to look after them.
Central Ward Councillor Vicki Howard said: “We encourage residents to observe the beautiful animals in our parks but refrain from feeding or interacting with them so that we can support their population for years to come”.
What people can do for the curlews in New Farm Park:
Keep cats and dogs indoors, especially at night. Although you think your pet may be an absolute angel, they naturally have an instinct to hunt. Opt for putting your dog on a leash.
Try not to disturb their nesting areas, especially during nesting season (July-January). Curlews are stressed by people or pets approaching them and their nesting areas (clumps of trees).
There is a sizeable population in the botanic gardens in the city. I’ve seen 16 in one day.
You may not of heard of the killer curlew at Victoria Point. Apparently at a local retirement village it was the job of a resident to lock a gate each evening. One night an old chap went down to lock it and a curlew bailed him up. Startled he fell backwards and hit his head and unfortunately died. I was told that a similar incident happened elsewhere in the area. Was it the same killer curlew? I have my suspicions.