Looking for a Curlew

During my trip to Ireland (Sept 19 through Oct 3, 2010), I had hoped to see many new bird species, including those most associated with the Emerald Isle, as the Curlew. At the time of my trip, I didn't realize that there are eight species of curlews, with bills ranging in length from 3 to 8 inches. Nor did I realize, as reported by BirdWatch Ireland, ". . . that around 80% of the Curlew breeding population [in Ireland] has been lost since the 1970s alone, and perhaps only a few hundred pairs remain."

While you can still find migrant curlews from northern Europe wintering in Ireland, those indigenous to the country are becoming scarce as their habitats disappear. Again, as reported by BirdWatch Ireland " . . . destruction of peat bogs, afforestation, more intensive management of farmland . . . . drainage of wetlands and intensive management of grasslands have destroyed much of their habitat." Given these statistics, it's difficult to say if the curlew shown here (wading in an estuary of the Shannon River) is a resident or migrant.

Also, as it's not the best photo (an understatement), I'm not sure which species of curlew I was lucky enough to glimpse, though I'll take a gamble and bet on the Whimbrel, which is a grayish-brown bird with a dark crown (though the over exposure makes this difficult to see).

So, to answer the question I posed in my Nov 2 blog entry--Yes! I saw a Curlew while in Ireland, yet probably not a Irish Curlew, given their drastic decline.

Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

Project FeederWatch

Do you have a backyard bird feeder? Do you love to watch the winter birds that thrive on your seeds and suet? If so, you might want to join Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Project FeederWatch. It's a data collection program that enlists the help of people like you and me.

Read all about the program within Cornell's Web site:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw/

This year the program runs from November 13 to April 8, 2011, but it's not too late to join. I just did a few days ago and will definitely be sharing some of my experiences here on the Bird Blog. For example, here's a photo of a male Dark-eyed Junco, waiting his turn at the feeder with black-oil sunflower seeds.

Here's hoping you can help. But if you don't feel quite ready or if you need more experience identifying birds, maybe you can learn with me through my Bird Blog. Then next year, you'll be ready to go!

Till next time ... Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

The Usual Suspects

Allow me to interrupt my review of Irish birds to bring you three of my backyard favorites. These three species are year-round residents and so will cheer me through the long, cold winter. To repay that favor, every day I'll feed them black-oil sunflower seeds. Here are photos taken at my feeder just a couple hours ago. In quick succession each came for a seed, beginning with the Tufted Titmouse (top), the White-breasted Nuthatch (middle), and my favorite, the Black-capped Chickadee.

Treat these birds to some black-oil sunflower seeds through the winter, and they'll treat you to their company. I can't think of a better trade.

Till next time . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne

About that Oystercatcher . . .

Before leaving for Ireland, I posted on my birding expectations for the trip:

"I'm eager to see such Irish birds as the Oystercatcher, the Lapwing, and, of course, the Curlew!" (September 18, 2010)

Home already a month, I've yet to report on whether I saw any or all of the three birds mentioned. So let's start now, beginning with the Oystercatcher.

In that prior post, I shared a US Fish and Wildlife image of an American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus). See the beautifully crisp, up close image? Now see my distant, blurry photo of a black and white bird on a grassy mound in the Shannon River. And answer me this: Is it an Oystercatcher? (Haematopus ostralegus, a European cousin)

I don't know.

Both birds have a "tab" of white in the shoulder area. And the position of his head (turned left and downward) would explain why you can't see a long orange bill. Still . . . I don't know.

If you have a view and want to share it, please post away. Meanwhile I'll share my photo on an Irish listserv, though it's not a birding listserv. And I'll be sure to let you know what I find out.

Now, on to the Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). Here's a bird I should most definitely have seen--but didn't. You might well ask, "Why not?" And I'd have to confess that pursuits other than birding (sightseeing, Castle-touring, visiting my ancestor's homestead, seeking my book's setting) competed for my attention. Still, there's always the next time, right? Besides, you can learn a bit about the Lapwing right here and right now:

http://www.birdwatchireland.ie/Default.aspx?tabid=319

Finally, what of the Curlew? Did I see or photograph this unusual bird? To find out, check back next week!

Till then . . . Keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne