I have been reading in the recent blogs about a bird called a 'Whimbrel' ...now to me... a complete and utter novice they look like Curlew, so can any one tell me the difference and what to look for because they are not in 
my bird book,( despite the book saying they are on page 86) plus I have identified this bird as a Curlew when really it could be a Whimbrel. Any help always appreciated. I thought this birding lark was getting easier as I seem to be getting better.....'.ohh no you silly woman' I hear you say 'there is a lot more to it than saying ahhh there is a Robin.'
my bird book,( despite the book saying they are on page 86) plus I have identified this bird as a Curlew when really it could be a Whimbrel. Any help always appreciated. I thought this birding lark was getting easier as I seem to be getting better.....'.ohh no you silly woman' I hear you say 'there is a lot more to it than saying ahhh there is a Robin.'
Whimbrels are similiar to Curlew but have one or two key ID features. First a shorter and less curved bill, second they have a clear stripe in the crown of the head which Curlew doesn't and Whimbrels havea much paler supercilium (eyebrow) creating a stripey look on the face. Whimbrels call is a whistled seven note call which is distinctive. Whimbrels are smaller than Curlews also. Time of year is also important as Whimbrels occur on passage basically the majority April to October. Check out the picture at http://boulmerbirder.blogspot.com/2009/05/patch-work.html
ReplyDeleteHi check my blog and look at the slide show at the top right. There is a picture of both Curlew and Whimbrel side by side showing the differences. If you wait till the picture shows ( theres only about 10 images) and click on it you can see a bigger version...
ReplyDeleteS...
I like your post. You are very right there IS so much more than saying ooh nice Robin ( but we all still do that too!). Once you've watched birds for 20 years and more you'll realise no one can ever know it all. Your identification is spot on with the Curlew. It wont take long for you to tell the pair apart. To start with, listen for them calling. Whimbrel give a rapid ' peep peep peep peep peep peep peep' as they fly over. Most are vocal though mine recently was very quiet. Once you hear it you'll never miss another, even flying over your house in the dark. Try and look at the size and structure of the calling birds. They are much smaller and compact -er (?) than Curlews. The bill is thicker and blunter too. they are generally darker above and they fly with faster wing beats...
ReplyDeleteThanks Alan and Stewart I looked at the slide show which is stunning, and I now see the difference, if I get tips from people like you I can't go wrong. Much appreciated, I laugh all the time at my silly questions and mistakes.
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Hi Michelle, they aren't silly mistakes, they are just the mistakes we have all had to learn from at some stage. Its great though once you have resolved the problem and you can feel a confidence that you have sorted the two species at last.
ReplyDeleteRemember your Sanderling success in the winter? Have a look on Northumbrian Birding at Brians pics of them in summer plumage. Its like looking at a totally different species!
I remember the Sanderlings and still get excited at the thought of them busy little bees on the shore, really cute. they are stunning in summer plumage. I was very thriled today when I correctly identified a common Sandpiper and when I checked my guide I just said 'YES', Mike was huddled over with laughter.
ReplyDeleteMichelle
Stewart is right about the learning process, you tend to find that you just move on to more difficult separations even the most experienced birders still have ID challenges. There's some folk still arguing about the id of a curlew species at Druridge ten years ago.
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