Curlew Action Junior Ambassadors Summit 2022

by Stephanie Smith

21st April 2022

April 21st is World Curlew Day, a day on which tradition states, the Curlew lays its first eggs. The schools in our Curlew Action Pilot Project met on this date to share the research they had been doing into Curlew decline and the ways in which we could help arrest this.

"Bird HQ" this time was kindly provided by friends on the Point. A song "Curlew on the Causeway" written and performed by Jo Powell ( another kind neighbour) and we were OFF!

The schools checked in and began their wonderful presentations.

OVERTON SCHOOL

Highlights from Overton School Mrs Ingham's Y2 Elm Class, included Jack's Interviews with the Birds.... complete with appropriate and hand made birdy headpieces. They also wrote their own interpretations of the work by Mini Grey, The Last Wolf, in which the main characters were the birds they had studied here in Morecambe Bay.

Mrs Harding's Y4/5 Class shared some super persuasive writing with us, showing examples of letters written to local farmers. Beech Class also shared some poetry they had written. Elizabeth told us about storyboards her group created for use with younger children. The group wrote short stories including a small cast of wading birds, we're now familiar with. Children looked at predator/prey relationships and the food chain. The Class finished with a smashing Curlew based shanty they had written!

RYELANDS SCHOOL

Mr Atkinson's Class, 5G, shared. their detailed research with us about the Curlew, its habitat and the reasons for its decline. Marius showed us his magnificent Curlew Sculpture.

Mrs Pullen’s Class, 5A, shared their exciting research about the Curlew in our area, looking at data and noting the decline in numbers. This Class is planning to write to Princes Charles and William, who are responsible for the Duchy of Lancaster land. They own a lot of the land we live in, which also provides habitat for Curlew. We know the Princes are keen on Curlew, so Mrs Pullen’s Class is going to find out how the Duchy is helping this endangered bird.

THORNEYHOLME SCHOOL

Thorneyholme School is currently on holiday, so we were doubly grateful to them for attending the Summit.

Mrs Entwistle's KS2 Class presented "A Case for the Curlew". This was a beautiful wooden case, which comprised a model Curlew plus drawers containing data, a nest, poems etc etc. You can see it in this picture......

Children shared their work about the moor behind their school, where Curlew go to nest. They have marked out areas using GPS which they will use as Survey Areas.

Thorneyholme also shared some beautiful art work and poetry.

GROSVENOR ESTATE MOORLAND TECHNICIAN ROB FOSTER

Rob has been working with us on bird awareness. He explained his role on the Estate in the Forest of Bowland and how they are trying to support the Curlew.

Rob is hoping to install a camera in a Curlew nest, to enable us to watch this bird from our classrooms and see what actually happens in the wild. The long term dream is for us to track a Curlew (fitted professionally and carefully) using GPS to see where the birds fly off to. We hope to make International Curlew Connections!

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We ended the Summit with a Thank You from Alex Morgan-Grenville from Curlew Action and another rousing rendition of Jo Powell's song "Curlew on the Causeway".

A fantastic day, made possible by hard working teachers and children, support from friends and neighbours, plus the wonderful Curlew Action.

Steph and Janie ( Ambassadors for Curlew Action)

Summer's Last Hurrah

by Oystercatcher

17th October 2021

Sunday 10th October 2021. Beautiful sunny day so off round the Point without something warm and weatherproof for perhaps the last time until next March. Let's hope not.

The recent spring tides had residents on alert as we begin the more challenging part of the year regarding high tides. Thankfully the wind obliged by changing from SW to NW and then settled down to non-threatening speeds. So the flood defences could remain indoors.

Residents did however take advantage of the high water to remove several boats from the estuary for their winter sojourn on land. The reduction of boats on the water was very noticeable as the walk began.

Across the amphitheatre like curve of the Pad which can turn into a suntrap on days like these. Not too bad though so early in the day. Nice to see that certain residents were out enjoying the sun. Come winter proper we rarely see each other as the Sunderland Point weather keeps people inside.

On past the Fishermans' Hut, once used by all the local fishermen to store their nets, sails and fishing accoutrements. Still available for the use of our resident fishermen Margaret and Trevor Owen.

In front of the hut stands the line of drying poles. In past times these were used to dry nets which would rot if left wet in the open air. In counterpoint to the poles stand the "powder stumps" out on the estuary sands. From the 17th century these were used to moor the dangerous ships loaded with gunpowder which posed a threat to the small port of Sunderland Point.

It isn't too difficult to imagine large masted ships moored to these posts creaking on the tide. A very different place than the one we have now.

On to the point itself. Vast acres of sand when the tide is out and like an ocean when it's in. Sometimes wild and desolate other times astonishingly calm and peaceful. Always beautiful.

Through the gate and across the grass. Be careful passing the "beast of the marsh" he slumbers now but perhaps he will rise up if the spirit of the Point is threatened and take his terrible revenge!

Except on days of a very high tide the sea on your left here is in the far distance and can't easily be seen. The view in the immediate foreground is of the typical marsh grass which is pitted with water filled holes and channels. Very tricky to walk across.

However this does lead to the strange sight of a huge ferry apparently sailing across the grass. It is of course sailing out of Heysham Harbour en route to Ireland.

Down the West Shore to the new section of sea wall with bird hide atop. This also now encloses Sambo's Grave. The eponymous Sambo was allegedly a slave who arrived with his master in 1736 and sadly died. His grave is a popular place for visitors many of whom see it as a place of peace and meditation.

Finally down the path which merges into The Lane. Always a place of tranquility!

Long may it remain so