I've asked this question on the RSPB Birders Facebook page and elsewhere and have got 50% saying Whimbrel and 50% saying Curlew. This group of five birds flew over the golf course at Fairborne on the coast in west Wales. I spent an hour or so when I got back home trying to id them and came to the conclusion that they're Whimbrel. I based that purely on the length and shape of beak (which I believe can vary between male and female in terms of length). To me, the markings above the eye are also telling me Whimbrel. Equally however, I can also see why some are saying Curlew!
Nevertheless, I'm more than happy to stand corrected and grateful for your feedback.
I would go for curlew as the bill is a gradual curve where as the whimbrel starts off with straight and then curves. But please wait for other ID’s as I have been known to be wrong before.
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