Monday 1 October 2018

Buckenham Pectoral Sandpiper duo

Having seen visitors from the Arctic and the east (Finland) in recent days I was now hoping to see some American visitors. I drove over to Buckingham RSPB on the evening of Monday 1st October, initially I couldn't see any waders. Walking down I heard the pink-pink of Pink-footed Geese a small flock of 8 flew in, A Buzzard was also seen perched on a distant gate. I later counted 160+ in this area. but as I scanned past the 150 or so Black- headed Gulls, 5 Lapwing were seen to the left of the Gulls, whilst walking right of them were the excellent duo of 2 Pectoral Sandpipers feeding on the muddy edge, (slightly bigger than Dunlin) with Snipe-like backs and the very distinctive brown breast cut off on the mid breast with whitish underparts below. The were hunched over constantly feeding and one was following the other they were still at Buckenham RSPB but flew off at 6.15pm, when the whole flock was disturbed by a female Marsh Harrier (they'll probably come back though), in front of the Gulls an incredible 34 Ruff flew in. Over to the right, 1 Snipe and 12 Wigeon were on the grass, Finally 1000's of Jackdaws were amassing on the grass right at the back, then they all flew into an isolated copse and then an incredible 5000+ Jackdaws flew over me their collection calls sounding like a high pitched machine gun. Also 300 Rook pre- roost gatherings completed the corvid-fest equalling a great evening!

No comments: