Curlew?

[Belle]

Hi, I'm hoping some of you experts can advise on a bird we've seen a few times now.

It's a brown bird with a long curved bill. Have looked it up and going on appearance, the only candidate seems to be the Eurasian Curlew. But it's described as a shorebird and the place where we have seen it is on racehorse gallops on the Downs beside the Ridgeway. Is this possible? We only ever see a solitary one and haven't seen it in flight.

[catalaze]

If it is a really big bird (for a wader, or "shorebird" as the yanks call them) with a really long downcurved bill and without anything much in the way of markings (when walking around) except being a brownish colour, then it is a Curlew.

A stop-off on the Downs, especially a wet race course, might be for a rest on migration or a snack. They'll pick things from the surface as well as probe. In Sussex, they're most common (outside the breeding season) in the fields and wetlands around harbours like Pagham and Chichester.

So far as a lot of migratory birds are concerned, autumn is upon us and they are making for the coasts.

Sorry if this seems depressing to those of you who thought it was still midsummer.

[Pete]

if it has a long downwardly curved beak then it will be a Curlew (or possibly a Whimberel).

as to the location..... they get everywhere so don't worry about it

welcome to the forum.

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by Pete

if it has a long downwardly curved beak then it will be a Curlew (or possibly a Whimberel).

as to the location..... they get everywhere so don't worry about it

welcome to the forum.

And they breed inland too. Mostly (but not entirely) in the uplands.
Welcome to the forum

[catalaze]

They do breed inland but not around Brighton racecourse. Mind you, there's a lot that wish they did.

[nightshade]

The first Curlew I ever saw was on an industrial estate,a building had been demolished leaving a tiled floor which was shiny with rain and it was foraging around in the twilight
Since the I have seen them in ones and twos in fields and on the local playing fields

[Belle]

Well, thank you, everyone. I guess it is a curlew then.

We were doubtful as it's a dry spot, miles from any water. BTW it's not a racecourse, just training gallops, real soft turf which hasn't been ploughed for at least 200 years. High on the old Berkshire Downs.

It's a real pleasure walking our dogs there, as we see birds that don't do our gardens there.

[John]

Originally Posted by Belle

Hi, I'm hoping some of you experts can advise on a bird we've seen a few times now.

It's a brown bird with a long curved bill. Have looked it up and going on appearance, the only candidate seems to be the Eurasian Curlew. But it's described as a shorebird and the place where we have seen it is on racehorse gallops on the Downs beside the Ridgeway. Is this possible? We only ever see a solitary one and haven't seen it in flight.

First of all a warm welcome to WAB from me.

Here are some photos I took which are in the Gallery. First is the Curlew.


The next two are of a Whimbrel. Note the smaller and less curved beak on this bird. Also note the black crown stripe on the head. The Curlew doesn't have this.



John

[catalaze]

"Real soft grass" - ideal for a Curlew. They don't need to be near water to feed, fields, especially soft ones, are fine. Migrant birds drop off in all sorts of places to rest and feed. If the size and bill fit, there isn't anything else it could have been. Tick it!

[Bodger]

You haven't lived untill you've heard a curlew calling above the moors ! I lived in North Staffordshire and it was one of my favourite sounds. The nearest shoreline must be 60 or 70 miles away.