Couldnt find the Spotted Sandpiper this a.m.
Cheers Ian
Richard Thew said
Mon May 16 8:17 AM, 2022
It's been a while since we have had something really exciting at my local patch, so I ended up spending some time around over the weekend (with what limited time I had). Luck was on my side on Sunday afternoon where, like Paul, I simply hoped and waited in a particular spot.
This Spotted sandpiper was also a lifer tick for me too, so I was just simply happy just to watch it feed, mostly from a little way out. Out of 4 visits, my last one was the most fortunate as I was in the right spot at the right moment (that I chose a slot where the bird nor myself was disturbed). This is why (as pointed out in earlier posts) I always emphasise patience, though itself is luck, but ALWAYS brings the best results.
Other bird highlights over weekend:
Common tern x3 Dunlin x3 Ringed plover x2 Common sandpiper x3 Lapwing Oystercatcher Whitethroat Sedge warbler Blackcap Willow warbler Grey wagtail Goosander Pheasant Gadwall Teal Swift x100s Swallow Sand martin House martin Sparrowhawk
The solution is simple (as successfully done by Paul Wilson - see below), waders like this move along the shoreline, get ahead of it, settle in, stay still and quiet, and wait.
Didn't actually work out like that. I actually knew where I was going to sit before I got there. As I was getting to the spot, the bird was in front of me! I crouched down as soon as I saw it and managed a few shots as it was walking away. I stayed in the same place for about three hours hoping it would walk past again, but it never quite got up to me. I could see it through the bush at the side of me on two separate occasions, and I stayed put so as not to spook it. Unfortunately it didn't emerge again. Elton is a difficult place to get photos of waders - chasing them around is often fruitless here, as there are few places where you can sneak up on birds. However, we get so many dog walkers and others, that birds are always getting spooked - photographers rarely cause much of an issue - until we get something this rare.
Michael Hood said
Sun May 15 7:28 PM, 2022
Saw the Spotted Sandpiper between about 2 & 3 this (Sunday) afternoon, but if it had any sense it would go elsewhere.
It kept on being spooked, occasionally by a dog, but more often by us - bird spotters/watchers, twitchers, birders - whatever we want to call ourselves.
The basic problem I could see (from the other side of the water), was impatience. People were stalking the bird trying to get closer (presumably for better pictures) and then it would fly off to another spot and the whole process would be repeated.
The solution is simple (as successfully done by Paul Wilson - see below), waders like this move along the shoreline, get ahead of it, settle in, stay still and quiet, and wait.
Right, rant over.
It's in full summer plumage, the spotting is very distinctive but you'd be hard pressed to see it with binoculars (unless you're lucky enough for it to be very close), however even a low powered scope will give you a good view. If I'd have been the first person to spot it I'd have known it was something different but I'd have had no idea what it was until I'd had a good look in a book at accidentals. But it's so distinctive that I'd have had no doubt about its identity once I had looked in a book.
Paul Wilson said
Sun May 15 11:34 AM, 2022
Managed to sit in a spot for 3 hours this morning and got a few decent photos as it walked past me. If anyone lost an Olympus 72mm lens cap this morning, and would like it back - I have it.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 14th of May 2022 10:33:37 PM
Rob Creek said
Sat May 14 9:15 PM, 2022
Saturday 14th May
Finally got a couple of hours free this afternoon to try for the Spotted Sandpiper. Seen an adult before at Belvide Res, Staffs, and a juv at Crowdy Res in Cornwall, but I couldnt resist a local top drawer Wader!
- adult Spotted Sandpiper The bird was reported in the SW corner but after a quick search I couldnt find it, so I scanned the opposite banking and eventually found it on the edge of the scrape just west of the creek. I moved slowly to the edge of the thickets at the start of the scrape and watched it from there, busy feeding with a few Dunlin and a couple of Ringed Plovers. One other birder turned up watching from nearby cover.
Spotted Sandpiper still present 8.17 at least but quite mobile. Associating with 2 Common Sandpiper
brian fielding said
Sat May 14 6:37 AM, 2022
Spotted sandpiper still present nr creek
Steven Nelson said
Fri May 13 8:18 PM, 2022
Spotted Sandpiper still present at 7.30pm. Good scope views. Lifer for me.
Also: 6 Dunlin 1 Turnstone 1 Common Tern flew through Lots of Swifts
brian fielding said
Fri May 13 8:18 PM, 2022
Spotted sandpiper showing well at wader point at 19.10, best viewed from old hall farm
-- Edited by brian fielding on Friday 13th of May 2022 08:20:18 PM
Martin Loftus said
Fri May 13 6:47 PM, 2022
4pm - 5pm
Was playing Dog flusher roulette with Steve Higginbottom, We just decided to camp down in one spot and hope for the spotted sandpiper to land somewhere reasonably close.
It is twice as weary of humans as the other waders that were about. It eventually suddenly appeared within photo distance on the shore between the creek and wader point.
I also attempted phonescoping, with disappointingly poor results. The wind shaking the tripod didn't help but surely someone must have done better. Whilst I was there the Spotted Sandpiper had 3 Common Sandpipers and a nice summer plumaged Turnstone for company. For me it was a long overdue and very welcome GM tick. Well done Simon on another great find.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 13th of May 2022 03:36:32 PM
Spotted Sandpiper still present at 12.00 best viewed from the Pumphouse side with a scope.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 13th of May 2022 12:05:18 PM
Simon Warford said
Fri May 13 10:59 AM, 2022
Spotted Sandpiper still 10.35am though mobile also 3 Common Sandpipers, 6 Dunlin and a Cuckoo. Hopefully someone will get a better photo than poor phonescoped effort.
This afternoon (before the rain) 6th May - worth noting...
Ringed Plover - 5 - on the shore before the inlet, just sit down quietly and wait for them to come closer
Common Sandpiper - 1, in the same area but much more flighty than the Ringed Plovers
Sedge Warbler - 1 on north side of reservoir, another near the canal
Whitethroat
Willow Warbler - several
Chiffchaff - only heard but not as many as the Willow Warblers
Swifts - approx 20
Sand Martins - approx 20
Swallows - less than 10
Gadwall - a pair at the far end
Great Crested Grebe - a pair on Withins - the only birds on the water there
Steven Higginbottom said
Fri May 6 10:22 AM, 2022
This morning 6th May 2023 highlights 1 Reed warbler. 2 Lesser whitethroat. Sedge warbler , Common whitethroat, willow warbler ,blackcap ,Chiffchaff in good numbers. 1 Common Sandpiper. 1 Oystercatcher. 25+ Swift. 2 Greylag geese. 1 2nd year Great Black backed Gull.
Highlights from this morning 3rd May 2022. 4 Pochard 3m 1F. 2 Common Sandpiper. 1 Common Tern. 1 Lesser Whitethroat 2 Willow Tits. Skylark singing. 2 Linnet. Good numbers of Whitethroat, willow warbler, blackcap, Chiffchaff, sedge warblers singing . Swift ,Swallow,Sand Martins and House Martins.
This morning in the rain, the highlight was 3 Sandwich Terns circling over the reservoir calling at 8.45am for approx 5 mins before flying off south west (presume the same birds later seen at Pennington), also a Whimbrel flew through, a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 4th of May 2022 10:34:03 AM
Highlights this am, 1 juv. Little Gull, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Dunlin, 2 Common Tern and a Common Sandpiper. Cheers Ian
Ian Campbell said
Sun May 1 1:52 PM, 2022
Also this a.m. a Hobby flew over the res. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun May 1 12:24 PM, 2022
Highlights from this morning 1st May 2022. 4 Arctic Terns. 1 possibly 2 Common Terns. 2 Common Sandpiper. Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Common whitethroat and Sedge Warblers singing all around the site.
Yesterday on longest day
Raven family group of 7 noisily between pylons either side of creek first thing
Around 150 Jackdaws circling the reservoir this afternoon.
Common Tern with black bill on buoys and flying round picking up insects off water
Sedge warbler singing from far side of creek
Lesser Whitethroat male singing from hedge between car park and pylon then flew to feeders hawthorn
3/4 Circuit.
44 species including:
17 Swift.
2 Sand Martin.
26 Swallow.
7 Chiffchaff. (Including 2 Juv).
7 Willow Warbler.
3 Blackcap. (M).
3 Whitethroat.
4 Sedge Warbler.
1 Oystercatcher.
3 Bullfinch. (1F,2M).
3 Long Tailed Tit.
12 GreenFinch.
7 Reed Bunting.
1 Jay.
43 Blackbird.
10 Song Thrush.
9 Lapwing.
1 Pheasant.(M).
40+ Starling.
4 Collared Dove.
60+ Wood Pigeon.
5 Great Crested Grebe.
120+ Canada Goose. (including 45 Gosling).
48 Coot. (including 6 juv).
3 Tufted Duck.
3 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
43 Black Headed Gull.
3 Pied Wagtail.
3 Grey Heron.
10 Mute Swan.(including 5 Cygnet).
Reservoir very quiet,First 4 seperate dog walkers ALL decided to let their animals swim , hence most birds flew off early.
Thanks Derek.
Wader side @17:30 - 9 ringed plover and 1 Sanderling to the right side of the sign towards the creek.
1 x Sanderling on Wader Point with
4 x Ringed Plovers
Half circuit.
47 species including.
2 Kestrel.
2 Raven.
120+ Swift.
100+ Sand Martin.
40+ Swallow.
15+ House Martin.
2 Ringed Plover.
1 Nuthatch.
1 Mistle thrush.
4 Sedge Warbler.
5 Willow Warbler.
3 Blackcap.
4 Whitethroat.
6 Chiffchaff.
2 Grey Wagtail.
7 Pied Wagtail.
5 Reed Bunting.
3 Gadwall.
5 Great Crested Grebe.
2 Mute Swan.
3 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
9 Herring Gull.
1 Grey Heron.
Did 2 counts of species which can be pests for nesting birds (Eggs and chick predators).
53 Magpie.
15 Grey Squirrel.(Noticeable increase around Elton from 3/4 Years back.
Thanks Derek.
Quick walk around between 5.50 and 9am highlights.
2 Water Rail .
Grasshopper warbler heard only in Elton Goit.
1 Hobby
Cheers Steven.
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Thursday 19th of May 2022 10:53:00 AM
This Spotted sandpiper was also a lifer tick for me too, so I was just simply happy just to watch it feed, mostly from a little way out. Out of 4 visits, my last one was the most fortunate as I was in the right spot at the right moment (that I chose a slot where the bird nor myself was disturbed). This is why (as pointed out in earlier posts) I always emphasise patience, though itself is luck, but ALWAYS brings the best results.
Other bird highlights over weekend:
Common tern x3
Dunlin x3
Ringed plover x2
Common sandpiper x3
Lapwing
Oystercatcher
Whitethroat
Sedge warbler
Blackcap
Willow warbler
Grey wagtail
Goosander
Pheasant
Gadwall
Teal
Swift x100s
Swallow
Sand martin
House martin
Sparrowhawk
Ta!
Didn't actually work out like that. I actually knew where I was going to sit before I got there. As I was getting to the spot, the bird was in front of me! I crouched down as soon as I saw it and managed a few shots as it was walking away. I stayed in the same place for about three hours hoping it would walk past again, but it never quite got up to me. I could see it through the bush at the side of me on two separate occasions, and I stayed put so as not to spook it. Unfortunately it didn't emerge again. Elton is a difficult place to get photos of waders - chasing them around is often fruitless here, as there are few places where you can sneak up on birds. However, we get so many dog walkers and others, that birds are always getting spooked - photographers rarely cause much of an issue - until we get something this rare.
Saw the Spotted Sandpiper between about 2 & 3 this (Sunday) afternoon, but if it had any sense it would go elsewhere.
It kept on being spooked, occasionally by a dog, but more often by us - bird spotters/watchers, twitchers, birders - whatever we want to call ourselves.
The basic problem I could see (from the other side of the water), was impatience. People were stalking the bird trying to get closer (presumably for better pictures) and then it would fly off to another spot and the whole process would be repeated.
The solution is simple (as successfully done by Paul Wilson - see below), waders like this move along the shoreline, get ahead of it, settle in, stay still and quiet, and wait.
Right, rant over.
It's in full summer plumage, the spotting is very distinctive but you'd be hard pressed to see it with binoculars (unless you're lucky enough for it to be very close), however even a low powered scope will give you a good view. If I'd have been the first person to spot it I'd have known it was something different but I'd have had no idea what it was until I'd had a good look in a book at accidentals. But it's so distinctive that I'd have had no doubt about its identity once I had looked in a book.
Managed to sit in a spot for 3 hours this morning and got a few decent photos as it walked past me. If anyone lost an Olympus 72mm lens cap this morning, and would like it back - I have it.
Spotted sandpiper still present on wader point
07.30am - 11.15am. Mixed cloud, then clear, still to light breeze. 08c-14c.
1/2 Circuit.
50 Species Including.
1 Spotted Sandpiper.
1 Common Sandpiper.
1 Kingfisher.
3 Dunlin.
11 Swift.
28 Swallow.
5 Sand Martin.
3 Ringed Plover.
6 Sedge Warbler.
4 Blackcap.
7 Willow Warbler.
8 Whitethroat.
6 Chiffchaff.
4 Bullfinch.(1F,3M).
2 Reed Bunting.
3 Pheasant.(3M).
1 Raven.
41 Blackbird.
5 Song Thrush.
130+ Starling.
1 Kestrel.
16 Collared Dove.(Largest 2022 count).
16 Lapwing.
2 Teal.
1 Gadwall.
33 Coot.
4 Great Crested Grebe.
6 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
18 Herring Gull.
1 Grey Heron.
1 Grey Wagtail.
9 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Saturday 14th of May 2022 10:33:37 PM
Saturday 14th May
Finally got a couple of hours free this afternoon to try for the Spotted Sandpiper. Seen an adult before at Belvide Res, Staffs, and a juv at Crowdy Res in Cornwall, but I couldnt resist a local top drawer Wader!
- adult Spotted Sandpiper
The bird was reported in the SW corner but after a quick search I couldnt find it, so I scanned the opposite banking and eventually found it on the edge of the scrape just west of the creek.
I moved slowly to the edge of the thickets at the start of the scrape and watched it from there, busy feeding with a few Dunlin and a couple of Ringed Plovers. One other birder turned up watching from nearby cover.
Spotted Sandpiper still present at 11.00am
Best viewed from old hall farm
Also
6 Dunlin
2 Ringed Plover
1 Common Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper at 9.28
Spotted sandpiper still present nr creek
Also:
6 Dunlin
1 Turnstone
1 Common Tern flew through
Lots of Swifts
Spotted sandpiper showing well at wader point at 19.10, best viewed from old hall farm
-- Edited by brian fielding on Friday 13th of May 2022 08:20:18 PM
4pm - 5pm
Was playing Dog flusher roulette with Steve Higginbottom, We just decided to camp down in one spot and hope for the spotted sandpiper to land somewhere reasonably close.
It is twice as weary of humans as the other waders that were about. It eventually suddenly appeared within photo distance on the shore between the creek and wader point.
Best phone scoped photo I could manage of the spotted sandpiper in the conditions. From this morning.
I also attempted phonescoping, with disappointingly poor results. The wind shaking the tripod didn't help but surely someone must have done better. Whilst I was there the Spotted Sandpiper had 3 Common Sandpipers and a nice summer plumaged Turnstone for company. For me it was a long overdue and very welcome GM tick. Well done Simon on another great find.
Cheers, John
-- Edited by Ian McKerchar on Friday 13th of May 2022 03:36:32 PM
Not the best photo....but a great lifer....and day off....thanks to the finder
Spotted Sandpiper still present at 12.00 best viewed from the Pumphouse side with a scope.
-- Edited by JOHN TYMON on Friday 13th of May 2022 12:05:18 PM
Spotted Sandpiper still present at 10:15.
Info thanks to Simon Warford
600+ Swift
100+ House Martin
Shame to see an active Jays nest chopped down at withins
1 x Ruddy Turnstone
5 x Dunlin
All long shoreline opp Pump House side
Turnstone was opp Old Hall Farm on corner
Cheers Ian
Single Arctic Tern dropped in and lingered, also 4 Common Sandpiper, 50+ Swift, 14 House Martin.
1/2 circuit.
Mainly fields and hedgerows.
1 Raven.
1 Reed Warbler.
15 Swift.
16 Swallow.
14 Sand Martin.
9 Blackcap. (3F,6M).
7 Willow Warbler.
5 Whitethroat.
3 Sedge Warbler.
5 Chiffchaff.
1 Bullfinch.
30+ Goldfinch.
8 Greenfinch.
4 Pied Wagtail.
2 Grey Wagtail.
2 Reed Bunting.
11 Lapwing.
9 Song Thrush.
31 Blackbird.
2 Jay.
11 Carrion Crow.
50+ Jackdaw.
2 Pheasant. (M).
Thanks Derek.
3/4 Circuit.
49 Species Including:
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Buzzard.
3 Kestrel.
1 Reed Warbler.
2 Water Rail.
19 Swallow.
9 Sand Martin.
11 Blackcap. (4F,7M).
13 Willow Warbler.
7 Whitethoat.
1 Lesser Whitethroat.
6 Sedge Warbler.
2 Bullfinch. (1F,1M).
7 Chaffinch.
23 Goldfinch.
19 Greenfinch.
3 Grey Wagtail.
4 Pied Wagtail.
7 Reed Bunting.
17 Lapwing.
45 Blackbird.
8 Song Thrush.
1 Jay.
19 Carrion Crow.
70+ Jackdaw.
5 Collared Dove.
4 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
9 Herring Gull.
2 Cormorant.
50+ Canada Goose.
19 Tufted Duck.
2 Grey Heron.
7 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
This afternoon (before the rain) 6th May - worth noting...
This morning 6th May 2023 highlights
1 Reed warbler.
2 Lesser whitethroat.
Sedge warbler , Common whitethroat, willow warbler ,blackcap ,Chiffchaff in good numbers.
1 Common Sandpiper.
1 Oystercatcher.
25+ Swift.
2 Greylag geese.
1 2nd year Great Black backed Gull.
Cheers Steven
4 Pochard 3m 1F.
2 Common Sandpiper.
1 Common Tern.
1 Lesser Whitethroat
2 Willow Tits.
Skylark singing.
2 Linnet.
Good numbers of Whitethroat, willow warbler, blackcap, Chiffchaff, sedge warblers singing .
Swift ,Swallow,Sand Martins and House Martins.
Che
08.30am - 12.10am. Mixed cloud, light breeze. 06c - 13c.
2/3rds circuit.
46 Species Including.
2 Swift.
1 Lesser Whitethroat.
1 Grasshopper Warbler.
2 Oystercatcher.
1 Goldcrest.
5 Whitethroat.
7 Blackcap. (2F,5M).
6 Sedge Warbler.
4 Willow Warbler.
7 Chiffchaff.
16 Greenfinch.
14 Goldfinch.
2 Reed Bunting.
1 Grey Wagtail.
4 Pied Wagtail.
1 Kestrel.
1 Cormorant.
18 Swallow.
16 Sand Martin.
6 Song Thrush.
12 Lapwing.
2 Pheasant.(M).
22 Tufted Duck.
2 Great Crested Grebe.
9 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
This morning in the rain, the highlight was 3 Sandwich Terns circling over the reservoir calling at 8.45am for approx 5 mins before flying off south west (presume the same birds later seen at Pennington), also a Whimbrel flew through, a Yellow Wagtail, 3 Common Sandpiper and 1 Dunlin.
-- Edited by Simon Warford on Wednesday 4th of May 2022 10:34:03 AM
1/2 Circuit hedgerows, fields, & river only.
21 Swallow.
12 Sand Martin.
1 Kingfisher.
1 Kestrel.
1 Raven.
21 Lapwing.
2 Goldcrest.
7 Bullfinch. (3F,4M).
18 Goldfinch.
7 Whitethroat.
6 Blackcap. (2F,4M).
8 Chiffchaff.
5 Sedge Warbler.
3 Willow Warbler.
4 Reed Bunting.
11 Chaffinch.
14 Greenfinch.
2 Long Tailed Tit.
2 Pheasant.(2M).
1 Grey Wagtail.
2 Oystercatcher.
7 Collared Dove.
42 Blackbird.
14 Song Thrush. (My largest count).
17 Carrion Crow.
1 Jay.
60+ Starling.
110+ Wood Pigeon.
80+ Jackdaw.
3 Pied Wagtail.
3 Cormorant.
1 Grey Heron.
2 Mute Swan.
Thanks Derek.
Cheers Ian
Cheers Ian
4 Arctic Terns.
1 possibly 2 Common Terns.
2 Common Sandpiper.
Willow Warblers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Common whitethroat and Sedge Warblers singing all around the site.
Cheers Steven.