Curlew or Whimbrel? NE Scotland (1 Viewer)

[Ken Hall]

I'm not entirely convinced this is a Whimbrel, what do you think? Taken yesterday in heavy rain at a range of about 100m and heavily cropped, hence the lousy photos. The bird was clearly smaller than adjacent Curlews, the bill looks OK, as do the short legs, but I'd like to see a better defined median crown stripe.

 

[Parker]

Hi Ken,

It's a Whimbrel, note how the bill is curved only towards the end & the strong head pattern.

Cheers, Neil.

 

[MichavdB]

I agree with Neil.

 

[nickderry]

Your bird is a whimbrel indeed, not the strongest of head patterns here but all the other features you mention help confirm it.

 

[Ken Hall]

many thanks everyone. I had thought of flushing it in the hope that it might call. Glad I didn't now.

 

[nirofo]

I'm not entirely convinced this is a Whimbrel, what do you think? Taken yesterday in heavy rain at a range of about 100m and heavily cropped, hence the lousy photos. The bird was clearly smaller than adjacent Curlews, the bill looks OK, as do the short legs, but I'd like to see a better defined median crown stripe.

Yes Whimbrel, there's quite a few showing up in the far north of Scotland at the moment, saw at eight on Tuesday. Here's a poor photo of one taken at extreme range.

nirofo.