Curlew Sandpiper at Wherrytown, Penzance, early November

A Curlew Sandpiper in winter plumage has been seen for the last few days on the shingle and rocks just in front of the Lidl superstore at Wherrytown.  As with most small waders, it is confiding and allows reasonably close views.   Its also unusual to see a winter plumage bird as most sightings are juvs in their impressive apricot coloured plumage.

November records are decidedly rare.  For instance none were recorded in 2015 and just three in 2016.  The vast majority of the population will now be in south west Africa.  Hundreds of thousands winter in Namibia.

Curlew Sandpiper, Wherrytown, Cornwall Nov 2018. Nikon D850, Nikon 500mm F/4.

Walmsley Sanctuary waderfest

This post includes 12 images of a variety of waders from the CBWPS reserve at Wadebridge on Thursday evening.  A rising high tide is the key to success here.  On our visit, no less than 41 Greenshank, 114 Black-tailed Godwit, two Bar-tailed Godwit, three Little Stint, two Curlew Sandpiper (though 21 present tonight Sat 11th), Green Sandpiper, several Common Snipe and Dunlin. 

Bar-tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwit

Four species of wader above inc Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin and two godwits.

Little Stint

Part of a flock of 41 Greenshank, though up to 50 have been counted this week.  The colour ringed bird is the returning, annual Ythan Estuary bird.

Curlew Sandpiper at Davidstow

First winter Curlew Sandpiper was present today at Davidstow with about 60 Ringed Plover and a handful of Dunlin.  It has been here for several days and ranges widely on the disused runway.