Stone Curlews are easy to identify by their streaky brown plumage, long-bodied, long-tailed shape and broad white bar across the folded wing. But always it is that eye which grabs your attention, flanked by a puffy white 'bag' underneath and a bold white eyebrow above. In flight they have a long brown body, but rather black and white looking wings with two obvious white bars across the inner wing.

Breeds on dry stony heaths and arable land.

Rare summer visitor between March-October, to the Breckland area of East Anglia and Salisbury Plain. The best site to see this rare species without causing disturbance is from the hides at the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Reserve of Weeting Heath, just north of Brandon. Occasional birds are sometimes seen on passage, usually around the coast.

Present in areas of plains throughout central and southern Europe but, despite being locally numerous (eg thousands at La Serena, Spain) they are often difficult to locate except by their wailing nocturnal calls. They are often easier to spot around the drying edges of wetlands such as Porto Lagos in Greece and the Kalloni saltpans on Lesbos where small flocks gather in late summer.

©BirdGuides 1999