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Curlew

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  • 25-04-2021 10:39am
    #1
    Jim_Hodge
    Registered Users Posts: 10,434 ✭✭✭✭


    11 curlew flew over the house and in to the adjoining field yesterday. Would they be winter visitors at this stage or likely to remain in Ireland and possibly breed?


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    #2
    OpenYourEyes
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 3,068 Mod ✭✭✭✭OpenYourEyes


    If they're in a flock at this time of year then they're non-breeding. Also at this time of year they're possibly Whimbrel: https://birdwatchireland.ie/when-is-a-curlew-not-a-curlew-whimbrels-may-be-the-bird-youre-seeing/


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    #3
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Very likely Whimbrel. Large flocks of Curlew are unfortunately rare.


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    #4
    Jim_Hodge
    Registered Users Posts: 10,434 ✭✭✭✭Jim_Hodge


    Thanks all, definitely Curlew though. I had a long close look at them and the call was unmistakable.


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    #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 0 ✭ [Deleted User]


    Very good. Worth reporting to irishbirding.com as it's a big group for the time of year.


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    #6
    Centrepassage
    Registered Users Posts: 57 ✭✭Centrepassage


    Most likely whimbrel. Curlew mostly in pairs now. Call is very similar though. Unfortunately curlew population is in very serious decline.


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    #7
    Storm 10
    Registered Users Posts: 5,873 ✭✭✭Storm 10


    Centrepassage wrote: »
    Most likely whimbrel. Curlew mostly in pairs now. Call is very similar though. Unfortunately curlew population is in very serious decline.


    I would say they will be in a worst position now following the two terrible fires in the North and Killarney don't they ground nest.


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    #8
    SouthWesterly
    Registered Users Posts: 6,456 ✭✭✭SouthWesterly


    Storm 10 wrote: »
    I would say they will be in a worst position now following the two terrible fires in the North and Killarney don't they ground nest.

    Always thought they were coastal birds


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    #9
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 3,656 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    There has been a large group of Curlews in the Gormanston/Laytown area for the last 2 years and in the Boyne estuary a few miles away. Its brilliant to see them. They are definitely Curlews, very distinctive call, always on the coastline and in fields just behind the beach.


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    #10
    Jim_Hodge
    Registered Users Posts: 10,434 ✭✭✭✭Jim_Hodge


    These were Curlew and they moved on the following day, so I had time for verification from local birders.


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    #11
    Thelonious Monk
    Registered Users Posts: 13,745 ✭✭✭✭Thelonious Monk


    OpenYourEyes wrote: »
    If they're in a flock at this time of year then they're non-breeding. Also at this time of year they're possibly Whimbrel: https://birdwatchireland.ie/when-is-a-curlew-not-a-curlew-whimbrels-may-be-the-bird-youre-seeing/

    I was wondering what the curlew looking things that land in flocks near my house were, never even heard the word whimbrel before but there are loads of them around coastal Dublin.


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