Sand Bank

Dan here.

A lull in this week's blustery weather made birding more comfortable this afternoon.

After August's adult, an attractive juvenile curlew sandpiper was a pleasing find on the estuary, where a whimbrel (my only one for this passage period) and a greenshank were also to be found.

The curlew sand was in the company of 3 dunlins and 15 ringed plovers were nearby.

A green sandpiper was at Freeman's Pools.

As the wind dropped just a few robins and greenfinches could be heard in the hedgerows. Aside from a juv. common whitethroat, no warblers were apparent. It seems that a comprehensive clear-out of late August's numerous chiffchaffs and lesser whitethroats has taken place.

Two grey wagtails were at Stodday.

The sun came out for the first time in days, and a few dragonflies ventured out-- 3 brown and 2 migrant hawkers and a famished-looking common darter.

DH