Efforts to protect and increase the dwindling population of Curlews are underway.

The project called "Curlew Connections Wales," is a partnership project working with Bannau Brycheiniog and GWCT, and Clwydian Range and Dee valley National Landscapes are taking part.

This initiative is part of an all-Wales partnership project, Gylfinir Cymru, tasked with helping the breeding curlews countrywide.

Since the 1990s, over 80 per cent of the breeding curlew population in Wales has disappeared, earning the bird a 'Red Listed' status on the Welsh and UK Birds of Conservation Concern.

Factors responsible for this decline include habitat loss, farming pressures during nesting season, and predation.

Work is underway to protect the birds in 12 areas across Wales which is funded by the Welsh Government through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Sam Kenyon, the local Curlew and people officer, is spearheading this project in Denbighshire, parts of Flintshire, and parts of Wrexham.

Ms Kenyon said: "The project is going really well, we are getting a lot of knowledge about our birds this season by getting to know them and the pairs better and how they behave thanks to the local knowledge we have in and around our communities.

"The farmers have been amazing to work with.

"We've had such great support which has been hugely helpful to the project."

Efforts to ensure the birds' safety have seen simple, yet effective steps taken to secure the Curlews and their nests across the Important Curlew Area.

These steps include monitoring seven nests, some of which are surrounded by electric fencing to ward off predators.

Ms Kenyon believes these interventions will increase the hatching rate from around 30 per cent to approximately 90 per cent.

As the first potential hatchlings approach, the team, alongside local farmers, will transition into the next phase centred on protective monitoring.

The young chicks will then spend most of the time under the care of the male curlew.

Emlyn Jones, head of planning, public protection and countryside services said: "This is a very important project for a bird that was once a popular sight not just in Denbighshire and North Wales but across the whole of the UK."

For more information on the project or to report any sightings email samantha.kenyon@denbighshire.gov.uk.