Curlew ? Help

[Rob T]

I spent some time at Arne on Saturday watching what I thought was a curlew it was at some distance but I took a few shots anyway it wasnt untill I got the images onto the p.c. that I noticed the white stripe above its eye.


Im now having second thoughts as I could have been watching a Whimbrell, can one of you experts help me out and set my mind at rest please.


Thanks in anticipation.

Regards

Rob

[Jason Green]

Good early morning/late evening Rob

Firstly I am no expert in waders, but comparing photographs I think you're right...

Scolopacidae > Numenius phaeopus - Whimbrel

So, if I'm right it's perhaps a good find

[RobSutton]

I think it's a curlew - whimbrel have a quite pronounced dark eye stripe which accentuates the pale stripe above the eye and also a pale crown stripe. The whole head would seem to be much more patterned if it were a whimbrel, the head on this is fairly plain suggesting curlew to me.

The way I usually find whimbrel is by their call - a long series of whistles (they used to call it the seven whistler in some parts of the country) and if there is one around they almost always seem to call at some point - usually as they fly off.

[aeshna5]

Definitely Curlews. Whimbrel have a much stronger facial pattern + the bill is different too. Also Whimbrel would be unusual now as most have departed though the occasional bird does overwinter.

[Jason Green]

Curlew it is, then. I said I'm no expert. Sorry Rob

[Adam Cheeseman]

Also the curvature on the bill separates Curlew/Whimbrel. Curlews have a steady curve to the bill along its length, whilst the Whimbrel has a slightly straighter bill with a definite downward (but not sharp) kink towards the end.
Eyestripes are not uncommon on Curlews.

Cheers,

Adam

[sunnydale]

I'd say it's a Curlew. It has a longer bill, longer legs and is overall a bigger bird than the Whimbrel.
It's our largest breeding wader.

Lovely shots Rob.

[SKM]

Hi Rob

I was at Arne on Tuesday and probably saw the same bird.
I too wasn't sure if it was a curlew but looking at the pics in the hide, the whimbrel def has a slightly shorter bill.

Stan

[ChrisJB]

This one is a Curlew.

Regards, Chris

[almostnormal]

definitely curlew - the dark eye stripe from the whimbrel is missing and the bill is too long for whimbrel - when you see the two togther whimbrel are noticbly shorter billed and slightly more slender - if it helps i think this is probably a juvenile from this years first broods - the stripings quite fine on the neck