Rare Sandpipers! 21st July.

After bailing out on the drive to Lincolnshire because of the traffic on Saturday I spent most of that afternoon and evening studying the bird news for updates on the White-rumped Sandpipers at Frampton Marsh which appeared to be settled although they did disappear at times. There was another attraction there as well in the form of the returning Long-billed Dowitcher, a bird we'd already seen in February so wouldn't be new to the year list, but it was now in stunning summer breeding plumage a state we'd never seen one in before. Intriguingly there was also a Semi-palmated Sandpiper at Titchwell Marsh in Norfolk, a species that would be new for us so I got to work on the AA Route Planner once again and hatched a plan. Titchwell and Frampton are only around 20 miles apart as a wading bird flies but nearly 55 miles for us folk dependant on cars. Thinking that the good weather would attract a lot of sun worshippers out to the seaside and knowing how popular the North Norfolk coast is, and of course the fact that the Semi-palmated Sandpiper would be a life tick, it made sense to hit Titchwell first and then drive to Frampton afterwards on two counts, one to secure that lifer and also logistically since Titchwell is furthest away from home.

We were on the road at 6 o'clock on the Sunday morning and made good progress along the near deserted roads. Luckily most day-trippers don't seem to get mobilised until much later in the day. We made Titchwell by 9 and ambled down to the fresh-marsh where the Semi-p had been hanging out. It was already getting quite warm and the local Clegg flies were out in force making me instantly regret wearing shorts! Those buggers hurt!  This wasn't the best time to be viewing the fresh-marsh either with the strong sunshine right in our faces but, hey, you shouldn't bemoan good weather too much should you, after all it could be raining. The fresh-marsh was loaded with birds as usual but unusually most were fairly distantly stood and feeding way out from the path. Because the Semi-p would be a lifer I didn't waste any time searching through the flocks to find the bird myself, which I usually enjoy doing, but instead asked the assembled birders already looking if they had located it. Some precise location details gained, it wasn't long before the both of us had Semi-palmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) on our life lists. Not one of the most remarkable additions, we were watching from roughly 100 yards away, but they all count. 

Semi-palmated Sandpiper, Titchwell Marsh 21/07/2019

The Semi-palmated Sandpiper was actively feeding within a flock of resting Bar and Black-tailed Godwits. It was dwarfed by the larger birds but, helpfully at times, came close to a Dunlin which enabled its smaller size, even smaller than that bird, to be really appreciated. It was difficult to get an exact idea of plumage tones at such long distance but I had the impression of a brownish backed bird with a neat pectoral band and white underparts. The shortish bill was black as were the legs (what could be seen of them). The feet which couldn't be seen would have the partial webbing which gives rise to the birds name. The overall impression was of a fairly compact bird, similar to a Little Stint, but it was bigger and lacked the bright rufous tones and the white "braces" of that species. The Semi-p, bird #249 on the Old Caley year list, was too far out to get any decent images with my set up but I took a few for posterity anyway.

I scanned the fresh-marsh to see if I could find anything else of note. In addition to the Godwits there were the expected Avocets and a small number of Knot were tucked in with the Godwits. I asked the warden whether and where we could see Bearded Tits on the reserve since we still hadn't seen one this year. I was somewhat taken back by his reply of "just about everywhere"! "Really?", I said and he reiterated for me "yes, just study the bottom of the reeds next to the muddy margins and you'll be sure to see them". So we did and less than a minute later we had #250 up for the year in the form of two juvenile Bearded Tits that were feeding on flies captured off the mud. We have tried lots of times for Beardies this year and have failed every time. Should have come to Titchwell earlier!

juvenile Bearded Tit

There had also been a Curlew Sandpiper reported on the fresh-marsh so, with the help of the warden, I set about finding that. Naturally I was beaten to it by the resident expert but I was pleased to add that, #251, to the year list. We were on a roll, if only we lived in Norfolk! The Curlew Sandpiper, still sporting most of its red breeding plumage was feeding close to the Semi-palmated Sandpiper but able, because of its longer legs, to do so in deeper water. Again I took record shots but for some reason I just couldn't get a photo of the Curlew Sandpipers head. In every shot it was under the water! I did at least manage to get both the Curlew Sand and the Semi-p Sand in the same panoramic shot.

Curlew Sandpiper and Semi-palmated Sandpiper

We took refuge from the Clegg flies by sitting in the Island hide for a while, from where we were afforded closer views of the Bearded Tits. At least 4 juveniles were seen but again, the sun against us and the fact that the birds were in deep shadow made getting reasonable images impossible. A Water Rail also slinked by partially hidden in the reeds, a nice surprise at this time of year.

juvenile Bearded Tit

The cafe on site at the visitor centre offered us a reasonable lunch and coffee and so we set off for Frampton Marsh more than happy. My decision to hit Norfolk first appeared to be well vindicated when we saw the lines of traffic heading into Norfolk as we left in the much quieter southbound direction. We were walking out into the heat at Frampton less than 90 minutes later making our way directly towards the sea wall where the White-rumped Sandpipers were supposed to be. A lot of twitchers had been drawn to the site hoping to see them and the Long-billed Dowitcher but early inquiries as to whether they'd be seen recently drew negative responses. The top carpark, as I had thought, was rammed and unfortunately a large motorhome had been parked in such a fashion as to obscure a lot of the scrapes from the usual viewing mounds. Because of the amount of birders searching, finding anywhere to look from wasn't easy but we finally found a spot. There wasn't much to see looking southwards and certainly no sign of any small wading birds so I settled for decent views of a fine Ruff which was decked out in a harlequin post breeding plumage.

Ruff

Many birders were lined up on the sea wall scoping over the various pools so we decided to join the group assembled to the south and see if any of the rarer waders had been spotted. At least there was a large group of assorted waders to look through and a lot of them were Dunlin sized, mainly because they were Dunlin! I found Spotted Redshanks, Common Redshanks, Lapwings, Ruffs, Black-tailed Godwits and a Grey Plover as well as the Dunlin. Then a ripple coursed through the crowd, somebody had found a White-rumped Sandpiper! The usual panic ensued as people all tried to get on the bird which unfortunately was very distant as per the Titchwell birds earlier. We were all helped by a volunteer, @tobywarbler, a fine young chap and who has a great career ahead, who had the patience to get everybody who needed to, to get on the bird. The views through the scope were good enough to make out the Dunlin sized bird but which was longer in profile owing to its longer wings and slightly paler plumage, particularly on the head. I fired off a couple of record shots of bird #252 of the year and the fourth year tick of the day. Not bad considering we were still in July! 

Mixed bag of Waders containing the White-rumped Sandpiper

The whole flock of waders suddenly took flight and wheeled around a few times before settling back on the scrape right by the top carpark and where we'd been stood just a few minutes earlier! That always seems to happen. 

The wheeling Wader flock, spot the White-rumped Sandpiper?*

The chap stood next to me managed to re-find the White-rumped so we hastily walked back to the carpark. There was more room now and I set about trying to find the bird in amongst the Dunlins. Most birds were snoozing and had their heads tucked away which made things a lot more difficult and I couldn't for want of trying pick the rarer bird out. I sent Mrs Caley down the line to ask other birders if they had found it. Remember a big chunk of the viewing area couldn't be used because of that bloody winnebago! She returned with good news, the White-rump had been seen so we made our way to join the group who were on it. I wedged myself into the throng and inquired to the chap next to me where it was. The bird was hidden behind a large tussock of grass directly in front of us and only around 20 yards away so I was hopeful of gaining some more useable photos should it reappear. Luckily after a few minutes the bird did indeed walk out from behind the tussock and proceeded to feed along a muddy edge to the scrape. I rattled off a lot of shots but realised that, once again, we were staring straight into the sun, so I was less than delighted with the results but at least I now had some recognisable images of a White-rumped Sandpiper.

White-rumped Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 21/07/2019

The White-rump disappeared once more behind the tussock but was soon out on view again this time to the other side and in clear water. There we had excellent views, Mrs Caley through the scope and me through the camera viewfinder. 

From there the bird wandered back towards the tussock but this time walked in front of it where the darker grass gave some definition to the bird enabling the plumage details to be gained more accurately. The back and mantle were more brown than grey and you could see a white supercilium, not as bold as some field guides would indicate but striking enough. Half way along the tussock the White-rumped Sandpiper stopped and began preening during which time it finally showed its white rump!

Toby came half running down the path shouting 'they've found the Long-billed Dowitcher" which started a mini stampede of eager birders, ourselves included, who rushed to the scene. Unfortunately the only place available for a view of the bird was from a small raised mound which was already overfilled with jostling birders. I could just about see over the reeds but Mrs Caley couldn't so I muscled her into a small space on the mound. I then received duff information from a fellow birder which meant I looked in totally the wrong place for the bird and only locked on to it when it flew directly towards us and landed right in front! Now I somehow had to gain a place that I could view it from which wasn't going to be easy owing to the reeds and the lack of the room at the top. My first efforts were obscured by the reeds but I'm patient if nothing else and as soon as a gap appeared I was in it. Now I had an unhindered view of the Long-billed Dowitcher which I have to say is a very smart bird indeed with its rusty orange barred underparts, chequered brown back, bold brown stripe through the eye to the lores and of course that long snipe like bill.

Long-billed Dowitcher, Frampton Marsh 21/07/2019

When we'd seen the Long-billed Dowitcher in February it was decked out in drab greyish winter plumage so the transformation into the completely different summer plumaged bird was remarkable. So many of the wading birds that we see in the UK have this orangey-red summer plumage such as the Knot, Curlew Sandpiper and Godwits seen earlier in the day. We mainly see them later on in the year when they are almost all shades of grey.

The Long-billed Dowitcher continued to feed happily until it was disturbed by an Avocet that decided that it was far too close to one of its offspring. The Avocet forcibly chased the Dowitcher off back into the longer grass. Time for us to leave and set off for home. On our way we firstly bumped into a chap who had shared the Honey Buzzard experience with us the week before and the into one of Oxfordshires finest birders (although he's a staunch Yorkshireman) in Mick C. Mick studies the birds like few that I know and gathers every detail of plumage extremely quickly, often sketching them very accurately. I wish I could exercise just a modicum of the skill that he possesses.

Avocet, adult left, juvenile right & Long-billed Dowitcher, middle

On our way back to the car I stopped to admire another Ruff, this one all decked out in grey and white barring. The Ruffs are so varied in plumage. A Black-tailed Godwit caught my attention too.

Ruff

Black-tailed Godwit

At the visitor centre we were able to watch one of the resident Black-necked Grebes feeding one of its Grebelets (we'd missed the young when visiting here a fortnight ago). This year is the first time that these birds have bred successfully at Frampton Marsh and is another feather in the cap of what must be, along with Titchwell, one of the UK's finest reserves. Birders in this part of the country are truly spoiled.

Black-necked Grebe, adult & juvenile

*No? Me neither!