Edward woodwood
Member
cheers Doc Turner
can't get this out of my head at the moment: It was in a mail from Lee and may have been quoted earlier but here it is for any newcomers
One very interesting Email I received was from Russian ornithologist Valery Moseykin. I had asked him about the authenticity of 27 recently claimed SBC's in the Ukraine. His reply was such (translated into English).
''I participated in the Russian programme to search for the Slender-billed Curlew and agree fully with the opinions of Professors Tomkovich, Morozov & Koblik that it is necessary to ensure the correct identification of the species. The main problems here are separation from N.arquata orientalis (Eastern Curlew) and N.p.alboaxillaris (Steppe Whimbrel).
It is my opinion that SBC no longer exists as a species but just as a hybrid - between the two steppe species I mention above. In 2001, in steppe surrounding an oasis in the Kazakhstan desert we found a mixed colony of nesting curlews (orientalis & alboaxillaris) and we found that some individuals were actually INDISTINGUISHABLE in the field from what were previously described as Slender-billed Curlews (and I must remind you that Russian ornithologist Zarudny described a mixed nesting pair of Slender-billed Curlew and Eastern Curlew). Russian collector Ushakov was unique in that he reportedly found the nests of Slender-billed Curlew. He apparently took away eggs and shot adult birds. However, he later acknowledged the presence of orientalis in the area and examination of much data, specimens and eggs from this era appear to indicate that mistakes were made''
So if we discount Ushakov's seemingly dodgy record there are actually more records of the mentioned hybrids breeding than actual 'pure' SBC. Strange indeed.
can't get this out of my head at the moment: It was in a mail from Lee and may have been quoted earlier but here it is for any newcomers
One very interesting Email I received was from Russian ornithologist Valery Moseykin. I had asked him about the authenticity of 27 recently claimed SBC's in the Ukraine. His reply was such (translated into English).
''I participated in the Russian programme to search for the Slender-billed Curlew and agree fully with the opinions of Professors Tomkovich, Morozov & Koblik that it is necessary to ensure the correct identification of the species. The main problems here are separation from N.arquata orientalis (Eastern Curlew) and N.p.alboaxillaris (Steppe Whimbrel).
It is my opinion that SBC no longer exists as a species but just as a hybrid - between the two steppe species I mention above. In 2001, in steppe surrounding an oasis in the Kazakhstan desert we found a mixed colony of nesting curlews (orientalis & alboaxillaris) and we found that some individuals were actually INDISTINGUISHABLE in the field from what were previously described as Slender-billed Curlews (and I must remind you that Russian ornithologist Zarudny described a mixed nesting pair of Slender-billed Curlew and Eastern Curlew). Russian collector Ushakov was unique in that he reportedly found the nests of Slender-billed Curlew. He apparently took away eggs and shot adult birds. However, he later acknowledged the presence of orientalis in the area and examination of much data, specimens and eggs from this era appear to indicate that mistakes were made''
So if we discount Ushakov's seemingly dodgy record there are actually more records of the mentioned hybrids breeding than actual 'pure' SBC. Strange indeed.
Last edited:
