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Email: chris@gcwweb.com
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Turnstones - Western Isles Birds
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Turnstones - Garry Beach - Isle of Lewis - Western Isles - Sept 2009
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(Click Image for Larger Pictures) |
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Turnstones - Isle of Lewis
Ref:TUR1000
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Turnstones - Western Isles
RefTUR1001
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Turnstone - Western Isles
RefTUR1002
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This lovely bird was on the rocks at Garry Beach - September 2009 |
A group of turnstones - Western Isles Bird Sightings - Sept 2009
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Another turnstone - Western Isles Birds seen - Sept 2009
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Turnstones - Isle of Lewis
Ref:TUR1003
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Turnstones - Western Isles
RefTUR1004
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Turnstone - Western Isles
RefTUR1005
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This lovely bird was on the rocks at Garry Beach - September 2009 |
A turnstone in flight - what a sight - when in flight they look spectacular.
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This turnstone was about to land - Western Isles.
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Turnstones - Isle of Lewis
Ref:TUR1006
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Turnstones - Western Isles
RefTUR1007
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Turnstone - Western Isles
RefTUR1005
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The Group of turnstones on the rocks with the waves splashing in fury behind them |
Another shot of a group of these lovely birds seen in the Western Isles, the turnstones. |
This turnstone was about to land - Western Isles.
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| Bird Overview - Turnstone |
Family |
Sandpipers and Allies |
Latin name |
Arenaria interpres |
Population |
Common Winter Visitor |
Similar Species |
Ringed Plovers |
Description |
A small colourful shore bird - smaller than a redshank, turnstones have a characteristic tortoiseshell mottled appearance with brown or chestnut and black upperparts. These birds have a brown and white or black and white head pattern. These birds are dumpy - their underparts are white and the legs are orange yellow. They have a short pointed bill - sometimes slightly upturned. In non breeding plumage upperparts are dark brown, the throat white and they have a dark breast patch. The female is a little less colourful than the male bird. |
Size |
120g - 23cm length - 54cm wingspan
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Habitat |
These birds can be seen in the Western Isles around the rocky coasts and sandy beaches.
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Food |
Summer, mostly insects, wider range of invertebrates and other material at other times
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Voice |
Clear rattled and soft 'kyug'
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Breeding |
The turnstone breeds between May and July usually in the Tundra zone of the Arctic - there are 4 eggs and incubation is 22 - 23 days and the young fledge at 19 - 21 days. these lovely birds nest on the ground. The nest is a shallow depression in mud, peat or on dry ground. Sustenance is usually from insects.
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Mi sc. Info |
The Turnstone perhaps named as with their strong bills and necks, they flip stones of almost their own body weigh. Infact it has been recorded feeding on a very wide range of prey, including bird's eggs, chips and even corpses. In addition perwinkles are eaten and limpets are prised off rocks.
Birds pass through western Europe 'en route' to their wintering areas along tropical and sub-tropical coasts in Africa. The birds which stay in Britain in winter are mostly from Canada and Greenland. Some birds can be found in wintering areas during the summer months. These are usually sub-adults which do not breed until they are 3-6 years old.
When running you can see these birds on the Western Isles sands moving their heads and necks rhythmically back and forth when searching for food. |
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Should you have any queries or comments in connection with the information I have given in relation to the birds ( all comments or assistance welcome as I am only a novice bird spotter) - please email your feedback to chris@gcwweb.com
All comments welcome
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