Broad-billed Sandpiper

With Libby's sister, Sally, over for a few days a beach day was on the cards. And so we chose to visit Staunings Ø, just south of Copenhagen. This is a great site for birders who have non-birding partners/families as there is a great beach on the seaward side and, just over the narrow dunes, there is a shallow lagoon that is excellent for waders, particularly in July and August.

While Libby and Sally enjoyed a revitalising dip in the sea, I scanned the waders. There were good numbers of Dunlin, many still in splendid summer plumage. There were also 3 juvenile Spotted Redshank, a few Common Snipe, a Wood Sandpiper, a Common Sandpiper and a few Oystercatcher. However, bird of the day came in the form of a Broad-billed Sandpiper - the first that I have self-found. At first it was roosting among Dunlin but got a bit spooked by a marauding Hooded Crow that patrolled the shoreline. After a short 'token effort' attempt at feeding as if trying to look cool and not bothered by the crow, it flew a few metres and began feeding in earnest. Unfortunately the flock got spooked again shortly afterwards by a Herring Gull and flew out of sight. It's always nice to see unusual birds and, although Broad-billed Sandpiper is more common in Denmark than in the UK, it was a nice find.

You can see the face pattern clearly on the second photo - reminds me a little of drake Garganey.

Other news is that one each of juvenile Aquatic and Barred Warblers were caught and ringed today at Gedser, southern Sjaelland, so start checking those east coast hedges and reedbeds in the UK!

Photos: Broad-billed Sandpiper roosting with Dunlin; Broad-billed Sandpiper with Hooded Crow; and Broad-billed Sandpiper wingstretching