Having failed to connect with the Broad-billed Sandpiper at the weekend (mainly due to arriving at high tide) we gave it another go this morning. The timing was perfect today arriving at low tide and the water still receding. Unfortunately, the Sandpiper could not be found despite extensive searches. During the morning the Dunlin and Ringed Plover flock grew from six birds to over twenty but the Broad-billed Sandpiper never appeared among them. Although the number of birds was not present we did manage to see Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Avocet, Redshank, Turnstone, and Curlew feeding on the muddy foreshore. Barn Owl and Marsh Harrier were seen hunting the far banks and Reed Bunting, Sedge warbler, Whitethroat and Swallow were all seen and heard close by. After four hours the Sandpiper had still not appeared and with rain falling and the tide coming in we admitted defeat and headed for home.
As we approached Waltham Abbey Brian offered to make a small detour and give me the chance of adding Ring-necked Duck to my London List. We started the search at the Southern end of Seventy Acres Lake and after arriving at the Bittern Watchpoint we eventually spotted the duck close to the bridge separating Seventy Acres Lake and Hooks Marsh Lake. We managed closer views as we continued walking East towards the car park.
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| Ring-necked Duck |
It wasn't the bird we set out for this morning but it was a good bird for the Valley and a nice addition to my London list.
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