WWT Slimbridge sightings 22 September 2006 Semi-palmated and Buff-breasted Sandpiper special

Another first for Gloucestershire and WWT; Juvenile Semi-palmated Sandpiper on the Dumbles WWT Slimbridge 22 September 2006 M.J.McGill

At last! another Glos lifer for Maisie McGill (14 months) as she pulls back Buff-breasted Sandpiper on her older brother Joseph who was 6 months old when he saw the 2000 bird in the same spot. Pic by J.S.Lees
What a pair of little beauties! Buff-breasted Sandpipers on the Dumbles saltmarsh WWT Slimbridge 22 September 2006 M.JMcGill
The juvenile Semi-palmated Sandpiper M.J.McGill
The Buff-breasted Sandpipers, fourth record for WWT Slimbridge. M.J.McGill.
22 September 2006 After having to give up on going out early today I left Leesy to cover the tide alone and thought that I may live to regret it. The weather looked good and we had made plans for a first light vigil on the river.The Semi-palmated Sandpiper has been on most Glos birders agenda recently as it has been a record year for them. Despite intensive searching this and in previous years, one finally showed up. Fortunately everything fell into place for me and and the bird was looking good for Semi-p as I arrived on site. James had scoped for it ages waiting for it to show off some features but it had remained unhelpful for a while, he was now feeling positive with a glimpse of it's bill.

With Dave Paynter on site also we were all happy with it and the news went out. This bird was very tired, it slept on the saltmarsh for a long time before heading out to feed on the estuary at low tide. 11 Grey Plover and 9 Black Terns were also seen as well as a flock of Ringed Plover, Dunlin and 9 Little Stint. After an hour or so two Buff-breasted Sandpiper dropped in calling as they did so, I was back at the centre while James was on crowd control and soon got back out there. The boy Lees was on a high, I hope he can sleep tonight after two firsts for Glos in a fortnight...I am getting fitter and will be back in action soon, can't have him hogging the birds.

Three juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on South Lake brings the WWT reserve 'yank' total to 6 on site that we know of!.