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.