1. A moth found in Spain - it was really big - the background is a coach.
2. Pretty positive it's a whimbrel but recent posts on curlew/whimrels made me unsure!
3. A general question - what makes a wader a wader? Is there any scientific guidelines on what to call a wader or is it just a collective noun for long legged birds which wade? I know they are birds which 'wade' but for example, no waders I know can just float on wader except from pharalopes. Does that exclude pharalopes from 'waders' or does it just make them 'special waders'? Ok I'm going to stop ranting because now I'm just confusing myself.... :)
Thanks in advance
'Dip a dee dah, dip a dee ay, we're not seeing any birds to-day...'
Probably confusing us as wll Tern lol.I's a bit of a hazy pic but the outline looks a bit like a Whimbrel but no doubt that will get shot down,me I mean not the bird
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Hi Tern,
I think it is a Curlew as a Whimbrel's bill is shorter.
There are over 200 Waders, or Shorebirds, in the world and is somewhat misleading. Some Waders never wade and some Shorebirds never visit a shoreline. But they are ground-living and ground-nesting and are usually found associated with water, either inland or by the sea. I think the term is just a generalism for the group. They are my favourite group!
And Phalaropes are included!
Hope this helps,
Best wishes, Graham
PS: No idea on the Moth!
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Thanks Seaman and Graham,
Hmm... I had presumed the wader to be a whimbrel and there were several reported in the area but just wanted to make sure what it was.
Thank you for clearing the meaning of the term 'waders' :)
I'm going to go with Whimbrel (Sorry Graham) The bill looks a little short for Curlew and the eye stripe looks a little more prominent.
Could be wrong though!
I too have no idea about the moth.
H
The curvature of the bill looks more Whimbrel than Curlew to me
Hi Tern, I think it is a Palm moth - Paysandisia archon. It was an accidental introduction into S. France and med area from S. American and is rather partial to palms..it shreds them. I don't really like wiki but here is the link
en.wikipedia.org/.../Paysandisia_archon
Caroline in Jersey
Cin J
Thanks Caroline, I do remember there being some red underneath so palm moth seems to fit :)
These moths fascinate me,one of our local bird ringers is also involved in moth trapping/i.d.,it is great to be present whem they open the traps up after a nights work.