A Pectoral Sandpiper at Dernford Reservoir

21st September 2022

Due to the recent lack of rain the water levels at Dernford Reservoir are fairly low and the exposed mud has been attracting good numbers of waders for an inland site. Much of the wet mud is in the middle so some of the waders can be fairly distant but will sometimes feed a lot closer, even along the margins of the reservoir. 

The only passerines I saw today was a 50+flock of Linnets and a lone juvenile Yellow Wagtail which conveniently landed right in front of me.

There were five species of wader present with quite a few Ringed Plovers, although the only one that came close was this juvenile.

Dunlin were also well represented and mostly keeping to the middle, but this one fortunately was quite happy to feed along the edge of the reservoir.

Just one Ruff today and was fairly mobile so did manage to get some shots.

Today the runner-up in the all-stars category was this cracking Little Stint, which for once was incredibly confiding and was totally oblivious to my presence just 10 yards away.

But the star of the show today was the Pectoral Sandpiper which has been here for some time now and certainly did not disappoint.

And to round off the day a couple of circuits by the 1940-built Westland Lysander from Duxford. What a great supporting cast!!!