Footage showing an endangered bird with a nest and eggs has been described as "remarkable".
On Saturday, the Sliabh Beagh Curlew Conservation Trust posted a video of the curlew on social media.
The Trust said: "For a species whose numbers in Ireland have declined by more than 98% since the 1980s, this is a truly significant and encouraging conservation milestone.".
Curlews were once common, but their numbers have declined in recent years and it is now estimated that only 150 breeding pairs of curlews remain in Northern Ireland.
Donal Began, nest protection and young rearing manager for the Breeding Waders EIP project, said the discovery of the bird with its nest and eggs was "a truly exciting event".
Reproduction in the homeland
Last month, a pair of curlews were discovered in the Sliabh Beagh area, which straddles the border between Counties Tyrone and Fermanagh in Northern Ireland and County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that one of the curlews had coloured rings on its legs, indicating that it was a bird bred under the 2024 accelerated hatching programme.
Biegan explained that the early bird program initiative is an "emergency measure to increase numbers" of the birds.
As part of this program, vulnerable curlew nests are removed from the wild and artificially incubated. After hatching, the chicks are raised until they fledge and leave the nest.
«"Once they get through this really risky stage of their lives and are able to fly, they're released into the environment," Biegan explained.
Biegan said this nesting bird is particularly interesting because it is "the first recorded return of a captive-bred shorebird to its nesting grounds and potential breeding grounds.".
He said this was "significant" because it could indicate that efforts to increase the population may be working.
«"Really, very exciting."»
The nest, containing three eggs, was discovered using thermal imaging GPS technology.
Beagan believes it is "likely a second nest attempt" as it was discovered fairly late in the breeding season.
«"Three eggs isn't that big of a surprise for a chick," he said.
Biegan said it was "really, really cool to find this bird," and that he and his team will be looking forward to watching the bird's progress throughout the mating season.
«"I really hope that this bird will be able to take the chicks out of the nest and eventually raise them to the point where they can fledge.".
However, he warned that the process was still far from complete, as the eggs were "incubated for about two weeks", while the curlew's incubation period was about 28 days.
All wader chicks that eventually hatch from their eggs will be flightless for approximately 40-45 days.
What to do if you see a curlew?
Earlier this year, firefighters rescued chough eggs during a major bushfire in County Fermanagh because their nest was directly in the path of the fire and was on the verge of destruction.
Biegan said it's a "really interesting and exciting time" and they hope the population will grow in the future.
He advised the public: "If you see a sandpiper with colour rings on its coat, please be careful and report it to the authorities.".
In a Facebook post, Sliabh Beagh Curlew Conservation Trust said the "landmark event" would not have been possible without the Breeding Waders EIP project.
It also acknowledged the work of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Northern Ireland, local landowners, volunteers and "the many people who work tirelessly to protect curlews across Ireland.".
Instructions were also given to continue reporting any sightings of curlews.
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Eggs of an elusive bird rescued by firefighters during a forest fire.
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A fruitful year for nesting waders on Upper Lake Erne.
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Curlew populations are 'thriving' in some areas of Northern Ireland.