Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Curlews or Whimbrels?

  1. #1
    Super Moderator Catherine's Avatar
    Real Name
    Catherine
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Retford, Nottinghamshire
    Posts
    3,277
    Cameras and Equipment

    Fujifilm FinePix S8200 plus Samsung J5 mobile phone camera. Chinon Compact 9-21 x 25 RB binoculars and 10x - 30x60 Zoom binoculars

    Default Curlews or Whimbrels?

    The light was very dull as we were sailing down the Beaulieu River, so these pics are very grainy - sorry!

    The first bird was standing, seemingly eating something light in colour. The second one was preening.

    We often see Curlews feeding on the marshes at Keyhaven, but they are easy to recognise there. These two were also very large - much bigger that Redshanks, Black-tailed Godwits, etc.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Curlew or Whimbrel 1.jpg 
Views:	336 
Size:	265.1 KB 
ID:	18072   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Curlew or Whimbrel 2.JPG 
Views:	347 
Size:	331.8 KB 
ID:	18073  

  2. #2
    Administrator rolf's Avatar
    Real Name
    Rolf
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Tilehurst, Berkshire
    Posts
    11,264
    Cameras and Equipment

    Olympus E-30, Sigma 50-500mm Lens, Sigma 150mm Macro lens, Zuiko 70-300mm lens, Sigma 50mm F1,4 lens, Extension tube, 1.4x tele-converter, Carbon FibreTripod, Monopod, Vanguard Binoculars, Celestron 80F-ED Scope, Remembird recorder.

    Default

    Looks like a curlew Catherine, Whimbrels are quite a bit smaller
    Rolf

  3. #3
    Regular Member
    Real Name
    joe
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Woodley Reading
    Posts
    1,020
    Cameras and Equipment

    Nikon D300,nikon 70-200 +1.7 converter. Nikon 105 mm Macro with VR Sigma 300 with X2 converter Nikon P5000 with fieldscope and Binos Nikon D7000 Nikon 17-55 mm F2.8

    Default

    Whimbrels have pale line through the eye,2 dark bands along the crown, bill is shorter and more bent.
    Joe

  4. #4
    Super Moderator Catherine's Avatar
    Real Name
    Catherine
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Retford, Nottinghamshire
    Posts
    3,277
    Cameras and Equipment

    Fujifilm FinePix S8200 plus Samsung J5 mobile phone camera. Chinon Compact 9-21 x 25 RB binoculars and 10x - 30x60 Zoom binoculars

    Default

    Wondered though as the bills are not very long. Maybe they're juveniles?

  5. #5

    Default

    Male Curlew have a shorter bill than female, that could be the explanation.
    Guilaume

  6. #6
    Super Moderator Catherine's Avatar
    Real Name
    Catherine
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Retford, Nottinghamshire
    Posts
    3,277
    Cameras and Equipment

    Fujifilm FinePix S8200 plus Samsung J5 mobile phone camera. Chinon Compact 9-21 x 25 RB binoculars and 10x - 30x60 Zoom binoculars

    Default

    Thanks for your IDs, gentlemen.

    I guess it might well have been a male Curlew then. I was just comparing the length of the bill with that of one I'd photographed at Keyhaven earlier (shown below) Do you think these birds (next pic - flying down Southampton Water) were Curlews as well, or might they have been Whimbrels?

    I know it's difficult when you don't have something in the photo to compare them to size-wise ....
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Curlew.jpg 
Views:	324 
Size:	140.8 KB 
ID:	18193   Click image for larger version. 

Name:	Curlews at Southampton.jpg 
Views:	355 
Size:	102.7 KB 
ID:	18194  

  7. #7
    Administrator rolf's Avatar
    Real Name
    Rolf
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Location
    Tilehurst, Berkshire
    Posts
    11,264
    Cameras and Equipment

    Olympus E-30, Sigma 50-500mm Lens, Sigma 150mm Macro lens, Zuiko 70-300mm lens, Sigma 50mm F1,4 lens, Extension tube, 1.4x tele-converter, Carbon FibreTripod, Monopod, Vanguard Binoculars, Celestron 80F-ED Scope, Remembird recorder.

    Default

    I would say all Curlews from the length of the bills Catherine, nice shots.
    Rolf

  8. #8

    Default

    I would say Curlew as well

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Catherine's Avatar
    Real Name
    Catherine
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Retford, Nottinghamshire
    Posts
    3,277
    Cameras and Equipment

    Fujifilm FinePix S8200 plus Samsung J5 mobile phone camera. Chinon Compact 9-21 x 25 RB binoculars and 10x - 30x60 Zoom binoculars

    Default

    Thanks again, gentlemen! So I guess I still have to see (or photograph) a Whimbrel!

    BTW, the last photo was taken on the last visit of the QE2 to Southampton, some time ago. Later that day a Hawk of the Red Arrows called to salute and say farewell to that great ship. However, the Red Arrows didn't arrive en masse to fly past in formation - so maybe the Curlews decided to do that instead!

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Curlews in focus
    By WD-40 in forum Wildlife News feeds
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 23-02-2012, 01:44 PM
  2. Curlews and Whimbrel at Keyhaven.
    By rolf in forum Aquatic Birds, Water Fowl and Seabirds
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-08-2010, 09:05 AM
  3. Whimbrels
    By Chocky in forum Bird, Wildlife and Countryside Video Clips
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-05-2008, 09:50 PM
  4. Curlews
    By Chocky in forum Aquatic Birds, Water Fowl and Seabirds
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-11-2007, 10:28 PM
  5. Curlews
    By Chocky in forum Meeting Place and Chat Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 23-09-2007, 04:12 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Copyright of members' images remains with the individual member and these images may not be reproduced or downloaded without their written permission.
If you cannot contact the relevant member for permission, please contact Thames Valley Birds and we will pass on your request.

pets and plants

WYW
Birding Top 500 Counter RSPB - Nature's Voice
The Admin Zone Directory of Forums


Top Lists