id'ing Curlew v Whibrel in-flight (UK) (1 Viewer)

Karl J

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2008

• #1

Are there any easily identifiable features of Curlew v Whimbrel in-flight ? The reason i ask is that my train journey to work goes past Breydon Water where i like to look out of the window, as you do, where both these sp. are often seen. Now, it's reasonably ok-ish when they're side by side, but on their own in-flight (because they've been put up by the noise of the train) without a size comparison and without bin's / scope (as it's on a train) how do you tell which is which ?

 

John Cantelo

Well-known member

• Sep 7, 2008

• #2

It's never going to be easy from a moving train so I'd start by getting familiar with them when you're stationary and armed with optics! Once you've built up some experience you'll find the following are good pointers:-
1 - Whimbrel has a quicker wing beats that give them a more hurried look.
2 - A slighty slimmer outline and shorter bill (though beware that bill length varies a good deal in Curlew)
3 - The upper wing of Whimbrel is darker with fewer pale spotting in particular Curlew has paler secondaries (i.e. the white panel on Redshank).
4 - When not in the train listen for Whimbrel's distinctive call.

This isn't an exhaustive list, but the points that I find most obvious,

John

 

deborah4

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2008

• #3

... and if seen from below, Whimbrel have barred axillaries, whereas Curlew have noticeably white arm pits (although not sure if these applies in all plumages!)

 

T

TwoDipsfromAmsterdam

Anything About?

• Sep 8, 2008

• #4

A general rule of thumb is (or, at least, was in my early birding years when I was learning) that the Curlew's bill is about half the length of its body whereas the Whimbrle's is about a third. As John points out Curlews can have shorter than normal bills. But allied with other diagnostics this might be of some help.

I suppose it depends on how fast your train is travelling! I'm currently close to Shanghai and I know that if I was on the hi-speed Maglev train that runs in from the airport I'd have difficulty separating an eagle from a starling!!

David

 

Karl J

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2008

• #5

thanks, the train is usually not going much faster than walking speed (high speed, what's that ?) along that bit so i guess bins would be useable, if look a little silly, (note to self and anyone else interested - there was a thread a while back that dealt with the intricacies of using bino's on a moving train, i must find it up sometime).

Train'd both ways today and didn't see either sp, maybe tomorrow :t:

ok, cheers

 

deborah4

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2008

• #6

Karl J said:

t... (note to self and anyone else interested - there was a thread a while back that dealt with the intricacies of using bino's on a moving train, i must find it up sometime).

Click to expand...

Think it was this one Karl http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=50184

 

John Cantelo

Well-known member

• Sep 8, 2008

• #7

This thread made a frustrating recollection come to the surface .... years ago in Wales I was bumping along in a train when a Whibrel flew up and beat along next to the train. It clearly had an all dark rump .......

Happily since then I've had an excellent flight view of another Whimbrel with a dark rump on a seawatch!
John

 

Karl J

Well-known member

• Sep 9, 2008

• #8

Yes that's the one Deborah. Unfortunately no better luck today as i was far too tired this morning and the tide (and birds) was miles away this evening (anyone have any advice for using a scope on the train ? )

Ho-hum maybe tomorrow...