Whimbrel - Numenius phaeopus
Description
A large wading bird with longish legs and a long bill that curves near the tip. It is brownish above and whitish below Whimbrels look very much like Curlews and have similarly down-curved bills but they are smaller, with shorter bills and obvious stripes through the crown. In flight their smaller size and quicker wing beats are the best ways of separating them, unless they call.
Photo ID?
Habitat
Feeds by probing soft mud for small invertebrates and by picking small crabs and similar prey off the surface.
When to see it
Mid-April to August. During the breeding season in Scotland, otherwise, passage migrants can be seen on the coast and sometimes inland in suitable habitat, when hearing its distinctive call can be the best clue to its presence.
Life History
Breeds across much of subarctic North America, Europe and Asia as far south as Scotland.
UK Status
In the UK, this species only breeds in north Scotland (500 pairs). It is a passage migrant to other areas in spring and autumn on its way from and to its wintering areas in South Africa. The Shetland and Orkney breeding population has been slowly increasing.
VC55 Status
Uncommon passage migrant in Leicestershire and Rutland.
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Chris Lythall
Little Stretton - 02 May 2008
Leicestershire & Rutland
UK Map
On the Leicestershire & Rutland map above, red = NatureSpot records, green = NBN records. You can add a dot to this map if you submit a wildlife sighting (with or without an image). You can also find out more about these species distribution maps on our Maps help page.
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