The Stone-curlew, a shy and peculiar looking sandy-brown bird, was once a common sight in England during the spring and summer months. However, by 1985, its population had plummeted, with only 150 breeding pairs remaining.

The decline of this species was primarily driven by habitat loss. Stone-curlews typically nest in dry, well-drained soils, such as chalk grasslands, sandy heaths, and most importantly, farmland, where they find an abundant supply of insects to eat.

As traditional grasslands and heathland disappeared, Stone-curlews were forced to nest on cultivated land, where their eggs and chicks faced significant threats from intensified farming practices and pesticides.