The Broad-billed Sandpiper was present on arrival, snoozing on the end of a muddy spit, tucked in against a tree stump. After a while, it woke, and ran the length of the spit to rejoin the small group of five Ringed Plovers with which it was associating.
The bird's stripy head pattern was incredibly distinctive, being reminiscent of a Jack Snipe, with a long, bill, kinked near the end. The upperparts were smart with dark centred scapulars edged ginger and white, creating some Little Stint-esque tramlines. Head on, or whilst facing away, the broad bill could be clearly seen. The group flew towards us, landing on a closer island; the sandpiper called, a distinctive hard short trill. The bird continued feeding, showing incredibly well.
By early afternoon, I was burning in the heat and as the sandpiper tucked up for another rest, I decided to head home. Also noted, two Hobbies, Green Tiger Beetle and lots of Four-spotted Chaser dragonflies.
Broad-billed Sandpiper, a cracking find by Andy Marshall. A Yorkshire tick for me. All pics and videos phonescoped
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