The National Parks and Wildlife Service has running a Breeding Bird Project on Lough Ree for the last 11 years and Lough Ree is currently the most important site in the county on the Curlew Conservation Programme which started in 2016/17.  As all Anglers know, Lough Ree has been phenomenally quiet for the last number of weeks. This has coincided with birds selecting territories and choosing nest sites. As a result, it is possible that some birds may have nested in areas that usually would not be chosen, ie near slipways or on shorelines/areas that are popular for Anglers to have lunch. Breeding waders (Curlew Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, etc) will generally display alarm calls if their nest is approached, these calls are high pitched and the birds may circle the area instead of moving away. It would be greatly appreciated if Anglers could be aware of this and be prepared to move a couple of hundred yards before having lunch if they believe that a nest is close by. Please find attached a sample of a Curlew alarm call. Wishing everyone good luck for the rest of the season.