That was until I saw this bird. I was happily photographing some Pacific Golden Plovers when I bird with a long (ish) curved beak walked out of some cover. Knowing that the beak was too short to be an Eastern Curlew, I though 'Whimbrel' - nice! I took some shots and the bird wandered back into cover. Looking at the pictures on the camera, I though they lacked a bit of zap or colour, so I went back to the Plovers.
A couple of weeks later, back at home, I was looking at the 'Whimbrel' pictures for a WBW post - and thought 'That beak really is very much too short, even for a Whimbrel'. So, I did some checking and got some second opinions - and the bird turns into a Little Curlew (Numenius minutus) which was a first for me! Not only that, a day or so later I find out it's only the 10th record ever for Lord Howe!
So, while I don't see rare things all the time, it seems that sometimes I do!
Looking at the pictures now, I'm surprised that I did not notice how relatively short the beak was when I saw the bird in the feather - clearly I need to pay more attention!
hello Stewart, what a cute bird. I have enver heard of the Little Curlew. Wonderful collection of photos. Thanks for hosting, enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteNice feather pattern on this guy!
ReplyDeleteThat's absolutely fantastic Stewart, and what a great looking bird too.
ReplyDeleteThat sure is a little one!!! New bird for me. Thanks for sharing yet another.
ReplyDeleteThat is quite a find! If you had been looking for it , I guarantee that you would not have seen it! Nicely documented as well.
ReplyDeleteWat een geweldig mooie waarneming.
ReplyDeleteWow Stewart, that was some find. Great pictures as always. I'm enjoying the local birds in our garden and also those I see and photograph on the golf course every morning. I'll link up tomorrow (Wednesday) to your meme. Have a great day. Jo
ReplyDeleteGreat find just as well you took lots of photos.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of a cute little bird, how lucky you spotted it. Diane
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart!:) Well done discovering the Little Curlew. A great looking bird, and lovely series of photos.
ReplyDeletepretty little thing!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos as always and congrats on the rare sighting! We have the Long-billed Curlew and the Whimbrel both here, but nice to see this different bird!
ReplyDeleteSweet!!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting feather markings..Cute bird..Lovely pictures..What a happy "accident" !
ReplyDeleteGreat photos and very special to see a bird like that!
ReplyDeleteDo you feel now that you missed out on appreciating the moment for what it really was by not knowing that it was a rare Little Curlew?
ReplyDeleteA nice looking bird and nice photos of it.
ReplyDeleteI know very little about birds and usually don't know what I'm looking at.
Oh, what a treat that had to be!! Good catch.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos!
ReplyDeleteThe bird's feathers have a beautiful color.
How exciting. And how fortuitous that you could get the wonderful pictures to share with us as well as document your find.
ReplyDeleteSuch a pretty pattern in its feathers!
ReplyDeleteHappy Wild Bird Wednesday!
Lea
Stewart, great photos. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteNicely captured, Stewart! And what a neat little bird he is, I love his markings. Have a wonder-filled week!
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely forgiven for not paying (ready) attention when you saw these lovely birds. Especially because you took these wonderful pictures and learned what bird it was before you posted them and then told us (rather than asked, like certain of your readers frequently do, she said, looking at herself)...
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing experience that Island was! Thanks for sharing and for hosting -- and I will be back next week.
Exquisite photos.
ReplyDeleteThere is a street near us named Curlew. I never gave much thought to what the name means. What a wonderful find. It's always exciting to spot a new bird, and this one is a beauty.
ReplyDeleteThis was a fascinating post! Congratulations on your rare sighting and on your detective work. I might add to that, your beautiful photography! Well done, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteA very nice find Stewart. Excellent images.
ReplyDeletePretty feathers! Both Curlew and Whimbrel are nice-sounding names.
ReplyDeleteCurlews always remind me of my childhood.
ReplyDeleteWhat a little cutie!!!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteAll of our woodland birds have very short little beaks, so I have to chuckle at the thought of this beautiful and graceful little bird being described as having a 'short' beak! I have set a goal for myself to be able to identify all of the birds (and know their songs) that visit our home here in central Alabama. Lovely to see your beautiful birds down under.
ReplyDeleteA rare beauty indeed!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting! What a wonderful little bird. He gave you a gift coming out of cover for his photo shoot!
ReplyDeleteGreat captures! Very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Sally, & what a find! We would have never known...thanks for sharing your find!phyllis
ReplyDeleteIt's not hard to see why you could mistake for a Whimbrel at first blush. Nice surprise though, huh?
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous find and surprise, Stewart!! It's always great to get lifers and even better to find rare ones!
ReplyDeleteNice series of images .. Congratulations .. Greetings .
ReplyDeleteThat was a great find Stewart. Like you say, quite unlike a Whimbrel except at first glance.
ReplyDeletelol, glad to see I´m not the only one having trouble ID those lovely birds :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the bird and the story :)