Wader id help please.

[zharca]

Hi, we were out at Cliffe fort on the Thames yesterday afternoon and came across a little lone wader that I thought was most likely a Common Sandpiper. Certainly looked and behaved like one: compact with a medium-length bill of palish colour getting dark towards the tip and very pale, almost mushroom-coloured legs. It had a strong white stripe across the eye. When it flew it had quick, direct flight on quite short, broad, pointed wings and showed white on wings and the sides of the tail. On the ground it did that little wagtail-style bobbing.

But when I look it up, the books say that Sandpipers shouldn't be around here at this time of year.
What have I seen?

[rlchew]

From your description of the bird, its habits and its location, it does sound like a Common Sandpiper to me zharca .... and you most certainly can see them in south east England at this time of year on their return migration.

Richard

[John]

I was looking at one at Cley last week so they are definitely around. July has a lot of return passage waders around so from now on you could come across quite a few different waders if you look hard enough.

John

[zharca]

Hi, thanks guys, i guess it's just a little early, lonely one. Perhaps if he hangs around the whole gang will eventually show up!

[rlchew]

Yes, you may see others turn up but in my experience Common Sandpipers will not flock like many other waders .... they will stay lonely

Richard

[John]

Originally Posted by rlchew

Yes, you may see others turn up but in my experience Common Sandpipers will not flock like many other waders .... they will stay lonely

Richard

Absolutely, although I did see 17+ one day at Montrose Basin on 10/07/1999 and I have seen double figures abroad but usually they are mainly singletons.

I dis see 4 at Upton Warren on 29/04/2001 and another 4 at the same site on 25/07/2004 so you can see a few together if you are lucky.

John

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by John

I was looking at one at Cley last week so they are definitely around. July has a lot of return passage waders around so from now on you could come across quite a few different waders if you look hard enough.

John

Minsmere this last week too

[anhinga]

Way back in time I had on one basin at the old Barn Elm Res 45 + common sands. Its the most I have seen at one go. So they can travel in numbers.