13th Sep – Pectoral Sandpiper still present; fall of Blackcaps

There was no sign of the Buff-breasted Sandpipers – perhaps not surprising after a fine, clear night with a gentle NW – but the Pectoral Sandpiper was seen at Quarter Wall Pond and Brick Field Pond during the late morning by David & Elisabeth Price. The bird subsequently disappeared for a while but was relocated on Quarters Pond by Andrew Jewels at around 2pm, where it remained feeding actively until at least the late afternoon.

The settled overnight conditions had clearly seen many birds on the move and Millcombe was alive with Blackcaps. Nik Ward reports that 39 were ringed, with an estimated 70 present in total, including a few outside Millcombe. Other migrants included a small arrival of 5 Goldcrests, 10 Chiffchaffs and 8 Willow Warblers, along with at least 15 Wheatears, a Whinchat, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Pied Flycatcher and a Tree Pipit. Diurnal passage included a modest movement of Swallows, a single Sand Martin, around 50 Meadow Pipits and 20 Skylarks. Pondsbury held 5 Snipe and a Teal, whilst at least one Kestrel ranged widely about the island.

Photos below of juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper at Quarters Pond © Tim Jones