Hudsonian Whimbrel
News broke yesterday morning of a Hudsonian Whimbrel at Church Norton .
Hudsonian Whimbrel
I arrived about 4pm and the tide was coming in quite fast , however i managed to see the Hudsonian Whimbrel feeding on the waters edge quite close in before it flew over to the other side of the estuary , the russet coloured rump & tail were very obvious and distinctive , a real key feature in separating from Eurasian Whimbrel which have an extensive white V extending through their rump into their lower back making Hudsonian Whimbrel quite an easy bird to id from Eurasian Whimbrel.
Hudsonian Whimbrel
When it landed on the far side of the estuary the most obvious feature was the striking head pattern , the central crown stripe and supercillium's stood out as they were very pale in colour compared to their very dark lateral stripes , the head in general was very pale contrasting against it's overall colouraration.
Another flight shot
The Hudsonian Whimbrel was keeping company with 2 Eurasian Whimbrel where a good size comparison could be made , the Hudsonian Whimbrel being smaller.
Pale head and underwing shot
