The Wildlife of
Holy Island

 
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Waders - The Whimbrel

First seen on Wednesday 29th July 2020 at Holy Island

At first glance, a Whimbrel can be mistaken for a Curlew. However a Whimbrel is smaller, and has a shorter bill. It also has distinctive banded head pattern with pale striping above and below its eyes. Not shown clearly hear, the shade of brown is overall 'colder' than a curlew. They are nowhere near as common on the island as the Curlew. This one was at Nessend, but there's a good chance of seeing them flying past the castle, or at the high tide roost on St Cuthbert's Island. The problem with the roost is all the waders are asleep and have their bills tucked in!