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help me id this wader bird

  • 06-05-2014 12:14pm
    #1
    yaledo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭


    This was seen at Tarrea (in Kinvarra bay, Co Galway)

    It's pretty blurry, but it shows the shape of the beak pretty clearly. As this guy flew away from me, I had a very clear view of a white vertical patch on his rump, shaped just like a dagger.

    That sounds exactly like a bar-tailed godwit, but the beak is unmistakeably downward-curving, which does not match a bar-tailed godwit.

    Any help much appreciated.

    15143_original.jpg


Comments

  • #2
    OpenYourEyes
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,072 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    Downward curving bill means it's a Curlew or a Whimbrel! Whimbrel are only passage migrants, but they're passing through at the moment. Looks like it could be a Whimbrel to me.

    See a video by the BTO for distinguishing between the two here.


  • #3
    Desmo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 586 ✭✭✭Desmo


    agree with Whimbrel; tons around the coast just now, all flying north


  • #4
    yaledo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭yaledo


    Ah great, thanks for the link. After looking at the video, I reviewed my photos, and found another photo [attached] that shows slightly more detail of the face & head.

    The stripey head & the relatively small size have me leaning distinctly towards a whimbrel now.


  • #5
    Woodville56
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,643 ✭✭✭Woodville56


    Yeah, deffo a whimbrel - loads of them along west coast at weekend - seen a flock of them 25+ at lagoon near Traught beach on Sunday, quite close to Tarrea I think ?
    Phonescoped pic of one here, from Finvarra shore, a few miles further west !


  • #6
    yaledo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 249 ✭✭yaledo


    Yes, Traught is very near Tarrea - just across the neck of Kinvarra Bay.
    There were about a dozen of these guys, picking their way along the stony beach in groups of 2 or 3.

    Thanks again for all the help on this question (and other things I've posted on this forum), its very encouraging for a noob like me.

    You may enjoy visiting http://scruggler.livejournal.com/ where I've documented some of the scraps of nature & archaeology I've encountered while walking the shore.


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