'Can't see the 'wood' for the trees'

Late summer can be a quiet period for birders, awaiting the increased pace of the autumn migration. The Wood Sandpiper is a smart wader with elegant proportions, a strong eye stripe and speckled plumage. An attractive passage migrant, scarce in spring but more numerous in autumn. Movement to, and from, breeding and wintering areas takes place overland, largely to the east of the UK. The largest numbers occur in east-coast counties, especially East Anglia.

Migrating Wood Sandpipers break their journey to refuel, preferring small shallow wetlands with plenty of emergent vegetation. Individuals using such sites can be surprisingly difficult to see as they forage amongst the tall plants. In Britain, I have seen this species at the RSPB Buckenham Marshes, NWT Hickling Broad, NWT Holme Dunes and NWT Cley Marshes reserves in Norfolk. However, I have also seen them at the other end of their migration routes, typically in October and November, in Zambia (South Luangwa and Kafue National Parks) and in South Africa (Kruger National Park).

Posted on 07 August, 2023 08:24 by