Large flock of birds.

trebor28

about 10 or 15 mins ago i saw a large flock of birds, at least 100 maybe more.
they were quite high up and circling over head trying to get their bearings i think.
i was looking out a window and had no bins with me so dont have a lot else to go on.

to me they looked about jackdaw size, with a snipe like shape.
they were flapping quite fast without seeming to be going fast, kinda like a kestrel, if you get me.

im presuming they are migrating here for the winter from colder climbs and are just arriving.
anyone any ideas what they are?

Mothman

Location and surrounding habitat?

trebor28

Mothman wrote: »

Location and surrounding habitat?

smack bang in the middle of tipp.
mostly just farmland, interspersed with trees etc.
as i said they looked like they were lost and trying to get their bearings so i dont know where they were headed but went in a west to east direction.

Feargal as Luimneach

Golden plover perhaps..........

trebor28

Feargal as Luimneach wrote: »

Golden plover perhaps..........

you could be right feargal.

i couldnt say for certain but that looks like a pretty good match.

would they fly in a flock that big?

Feargal as Luimneach

trebor28 wrote: »

you could be right feargal.

i couldnt say for certain but that looks like a pretty good match.

would they fly in a flock that big?

They would often be in large flocks hundreds if not more. If they were flushed by a peregrine or other predator they would often fly in close formation.

Finnbar01

trebor28 wrote: »

you could be right feargal.

i couldnt say for certain but that looks like a pretty good match.

would they fly in a flock that big?

Safety in numbers.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

trebor28 wrote: »

you could be right feargal.

i couldnt say for certain but that looks like a pretty good match.

would they fly in a flock that big?

I have counted flocks of Golden plover in excess of 5000, so yes they do form large flocks.

You'll disagee no doubt!;)

trebor28

Stella Moldy Kickoff wrote: »

I have counted flocks of Golden plover in excess of 5000, so yes they do form large flocks.

You'll disagee no doubt!;)

build a bridge man!!

Mothman

trebor28 wrote: »

of course ill disagree!!!

you can tell the difference between 4000 and 5000 birds???

build a bridge man!!

Yes, experienced birders have methods in counting that'll enables them to get counts an awful lot more accurate than the nearest 1,000.

While I'm here, this forum thrives on respect and being civil to each other.
I expect this decorum to continue...