A Couple of Hours with the Purple Sandpipers

6th March 2022

We started the day with a walk along the beach at Walton-on-the-Naze. Still a bit too early for any spring migrants, but the Gorse was in full bloom.

The beach was a bit quiet as we were between tides, but there were still good numbers of Brent Geese and just a single Curlew.

Even Curlews need a scratch now and again.

The Ringed Plovers were still around as they are resident here and breed in the dunes

Sanderlings were far fewer than on our last visit, but those that were present were still running in and out of the waves.

Now on to Holland Haven and the first task was to try and locate the Purple Sandpipers. The sluice was almost under water and the waves were crashing over the top so no sandpipers here. As we walked along the sea wall a single Oystercatcher flew in low across the surf and landed on the beach a bit further down, and a female Stonechat was on a bramble bush behind the sea wall.

We eventually found up to eight sandpipers on the last remaining sea defences up by the slipway 700 yards NE of the sluice. They were busy scurrying round making the most of the remaining feeding time before the tide came in and covered all the rocks and boulders.

Look at the difference in colouration depending on the light.

I always like it when they feed amongst the seaweed as it provides the perfect back-drop and shows of their plumage to the full.

This small pool provided a combined feeding and bathing area.

And then one of the birds provided a bit of on-camera action and rounded off the day quite nicely.

And look just how close they were coming, down to just 3 metres on occasions!!!

Well Holland Haven never fails as far as Purple Sandpipers are concerned. Purple Sands can sometimes be seen around the Essex coast, normally just individuals, but are very scarce. However, Holland Haven is probably the only reliable site in Essex to see up to 10 birds during the winter months.