Monday, April 11, 2016

Fly Flats

I had over an hour at the top end this morning thinking there could be some movement of hirundines from the south, across the reservoir and into the coll towards Oxenhope. Nothing doing on that score, just a trickle of Meadow Pipits heading >NE.
At 11:30 I picked out 2 waders from the south and thought at first maybe Bar-tailed Godwits from the pattern and speed of flight. Then I got the calls (pi,pi,pi,pi,pi,pi,pi) and 'not barwits' these and not Curlew flying at that speed of wingbeat - Whimbrel. After a circuit and unfortunately not landing, they went straight over the top end of the reservoir calling and I managed a couple of record shots with the best one below.

 Whimbrel
 
 
Curlew
 
I was surprised by the length of the bill (on the photo) on Whimbrel in flight though they may look longer when in flight, with head up, from when they are standing and feeding (?). The primary pattern on Whimbrel is quite different compared with this Curlew taken a few minutes later, though it's not always obvious in 'the field'. Also the male Curlew has a shorter bill than female so it's not always easy.
 
Not a lot else in the strong >NE wind - just 1 Wheatear and the usual other species.

4 comments:

AndyC said...

nice one dave ,,good to get a photo...

Brian Sumner . said...

Excellent. Theres no mistaking the 7 note call.
The first of mine there was 17th May last year then a second in July.

David Sutcliffe said...

Wish there was some shoreline to pull a few waders in. I think they just go straight over....
All our 'ressies' seem to be the same nowadays.
Not been to Whiteholme this year yet (it used to be the best)but guess that is going the same way with lots of work on it last year and might be continuing (??)

Bradshaw Rambler said...

Good do Dave.
Well done getting the in flight photo - not easy.
I'll have to remember the 7 note call!!
Your right about the ressies - too full with all this rain.
John