Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Grey Phalarope.

Geoff Williams · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:13 pm

The juvenile Buff-breasted Sandpiper reported on RBA yesterday was still in the same area,in Salicornia 500 yds east of Donna Nook Stonebridge carpark this morning showing well at times, found both days by Rob Martin of Punkbirders fame. However it may have now moved on as one was seen at Rimac this afternoon.
A Grey Phalarope reported at Covenham Res. was still there around noon, close in on the SE side.
Geoff

Geoff Williams · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 11:13 pm

The Buff-breast was seen to fly off about 10:20, we thought it might have gone to the fields to the rear of the dunes but it could well have carried on to Rimac as I believe GPC had one there around 11:10.

Geoff Williams · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:21 am

Two poss. three Buff-breasted Sandpiper were this morning on the beach at Saltfleet Haven. 1 had a noticable limp and the other 2 didn't as far as I could see. They showed quite well in the Samphire beds with Curlew Sands and other waders but tended to keep to themselves.
Geoff

Roy Harvey · **Joined:** Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:23 pm **Posts:** 956

Definitely just two Buff-breasted Sandpipers at Saltfleet today.
I have put a picture in the album.
Well done Geoff on another excellent find!

Roy

Geoff Williams · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:09 pm

Just spoke to Ed Mackrill who said the two birds he saw today hadn't got a limp,where as the other one seen earlier by Roy and I had a noticeable limp, so 3 birds is still open to debate?
Also I was told that the bird seen by Graham Cately at Rimac had a limp, looks like it has hung around for a few days?

Derick Evans · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:44 pm

Anyone know if the B-B Sands. are still present this evening.

Dean Eades · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:56 pm

Definitely 2 Bb Sandpipers 1 with limp this afternoon + 8 Curlew sands .

Definitely would not rule out 3, as we had 2 together before we left one running with no limp at all ? .

Derick Evans · **Posted:** Tue Sep 20, 2011 11:32 pm

2 Buff-breasted Sandpiper still present this morning. On edge of the small outer dune in the Samphire. 1 bird with and 1 without a noticeable limp.

Also 5 Curlew sandpiper and 3 Northern Wheatear on beach and 3 Bar-tailed Godwit on Haven.

Derick Evans · **Posted:** Wed Sep 21, 2011 10:16 pm

Early morning at Horseshoe point, very windy and few waders about.
Arrived at Rimac 9-30am-ish and spent the rest of the morning wader watching or trying too. At 10-30am another Notts birder arrived on the foreshore asking if I had seen any Buff-breasted sands. I sat and watched the foreshore till around midday.
Lots of Dunlin and Ringed Plover present plus 5 Curlew Sandpiper & 4 Little stint but with the strong winds and the resident Peregine spooking the birds every 20 minutes, it was difficult and getting colder by this time. So I went back to car for lunch and a cuppa..
A proper birder (Roy Harvey) then arrived and by 3pm was looking at 2 Buff-breasted sandpiper.

They were still present late afternoon at least (Info. courtesy of Birdnet)

John Walker · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2011 8:05 am

3 BB sands were seen mid afternoon including the limper, regards John

Roy Harvey · **Joined:** Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:23 pm **Posts:** 956

Good to meet up with you again John.

Despite Linda, Barry Clarkson and I spending a few hours with, and looking for, the Buff-breasted Sandpipers yesterday, we did not see three birds together at any time.
After watching a singleton, with no limp, for about 10 minutes, it took off and flew at least half a mile in a southerly direction. Shortly afterwards Linda picked up two others that lifted off just to the north of us and flew in. One of these was 'hoppy', the bird with the limp in the right leg.
As GPC has pointed out, the species in usually gregarious and manages to find others of its kind quite easily so for the 'third' bird not to join the other two is unusual. Having said that, those present were as confident as they could be that three birds were involved.
It was interesting to see the singleton lift its wing to expose the white underside when some other waders flew close. I have not witnessed this behaviour before but they do it on the breeding grounds when trying to attract a mate.

Roy

John Walker · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:31 am

Fair point Roy , however there were 2 at the haven site on monday pm not including the limper
so 3 individuals have been seen in the area, and i thought Nick and i were looking at 2 non limping individuals, but must have been mistaken. regards John.

Dave Bradbeer · **Posted:** Thu Sep 22, 2011 7:58 pm

Derick Evans wrote:

A proper birder (Roy Harvey)

Roy Harvey · **Joined:** Thu Dec 30, 2004 10:23 pm **Posts:** 956

Be on your guard the next time we meet Dave. :wink:

Have you twitched that American Black Tern yet?

Dave Bradbeer · **Posted:** Fri Sep 23, 2011 7:52 pm

I dont twitch, i get far more enjoyment by finding my own stuff, twitchers need to get a life.

The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Grey Phalarope.

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