What was that tiny wader??

[pallid]

Hello,

I recently visited Trimley Marshes Reserve in Suffolk and had difficuly identifying a very small wader. Unfortunately it was too distant to allow a decent photo to be taken. However, it was only slightly larger than a Little Stint (approx 17cm), dark brown unstreaked back, lighter streaked bib extending a quarter of the way below the head, short straight black beak, short dark legs and a spoted tail. Slight eye line. Faint thin wing bars but no white rump, flight low and fast. There were three in close proximity. They were feeding with fairly rapid movements.

Has anyone any suggestions?

Pallid

[htcdude]

The rapid movement is reminisce of Sanderling.

Otherwise try Dunlin or Common Sandpiper.

Nige

[Dogghound]

Hard to say from the description in general a lot of small waders broadly match what you have said. Look at common sandpiper, dunlin, little ringed plover. Bill and leg colour can be hard to see at long range. At this time of year sandpiper would be a good bet.

[Tursiops2]

Hi pallid, welcome to WAB.

I'm a regular visitor to Trimley Marshes, when were you there? Your description is good for Common Sandpiper, of which there have been several on site recently (as well as a few Green Sandpiper, but lack of white rump rules that out).

Are you local, or just visiting the area? You might be interested in this blog by local birder Paul Oldfield:http://www.freewebs.com/proldfield/ for sightings in the area.

T2

[snake]

Hi Pallid,

Did it look like this?

Common Sandpiper.

[pallid]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

Hi pallid, welcome to WAB.

I'm a regular visitor to Trimley Marshes, when were you there? Your description is good for Common Sandpiper, of which there have been several on site recently (as well as a few Green Sandpiper, but lack of white rump rules that out).

Are you local, or just visiting the area? You might be interested in this blog by local birder Paul Oldfield:http://www.freewebs.com/proldfield/ for sightings in the area.

T2

Hi T2,

I visited Trimley on Sunday the 10th (I live locally in Ipswich but this was only my second time) and, yes, I am aware of Paul Oldfield's site. The report for that particular day did state that Green Sandpipers were present but I assumed that these birds were of a reasonable size, hence I factored that species out of the equation. No Common Sandpipers noted on the 10th.

Pallid

[Tursiops2]

Originally Posted by pallid

Hi T2,

No Common Sandpipers noted on the 10th.

Pallid

Actually, if you check the blog again, you'll see that Paul recorded one Common Sandpiper present on Sunday morning; and there are so many places on the reserve, and nearby, where small waders can feed unobserved, that there could easily have been more in the area at the time. There were certainly at least 4 there when I visited on Monday.

Common Sand is a very typical late-summer visitor to Trimley, and your description fits to a tee. Your size estimate is about right, and when I was there yesterday afternoon I made a point of comparing CS with Green S., and CS is distinctly smaller.

I really can't think of anything else they're likely to be.

T2

[RoyW]

Originally Posted by Tursiops2

Common Sand is a very typical late-summer visitor to Trimley, and your description fits to a tee.

Agreed - the description fits Common Sandpiper perfectly.

[pallid]

Thank you everyone for your input. Sighting confirmed as a Common Sandpiper. Since Trimley I spotted a Green Sandpiper at Cattawade Marches on the Suffolk/Essex border. This was a much closer encounter so I am prety certain about that sighting