Stodmarsh 28/10/23

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The main quarry today was Solitary Sandpiper, one of which had been giving birders the run-around for 2 weeks. I arrived at the Reed Bed Hide shortly after eight to find it already quite full with birders, though there had been no sign of the bird by that early hour. I wasn't able to get a seat, and by 10:30 was losing patience so wandered back to the car for a snack and toilet break.

Then came news that the sandpiper had flown in, so rushed back to the hide, only to find birders already leaving, having had good views of the bird which had now flown off. Fortunately, a short time later I heard that it had been seen from the Lampen Wall, so headed that way. It was on a small pool, partially obscured by reeds much of the time, though I managed decent views over a ten minute period.

Only my second Solitary Sandpiper, the previous bird being at Seaton, Devon in 2010.

Other birds seen at Stodmarsh included Great White Egret and Water Pipit.

Great White Egret 

Water Pipit

As above 

Little Grebe


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