Stilt Sandpiper, Rustic Bunting and Pectoral Sandpiper

1 juv. Stilt Sandpiper - Campfield Marsh, Bowness-on-Solway
1 1st win Rustic Bunting - Walney Island
1 juv. Pectoral Sandpiper - Leighton Moss

We arrived at Campfield Marsh at 9am, to find a handfull of birders watching the Stilt Sandpiper which has been present for a few days. It was a good view and a nice looking bird. My first since the long staying bird at Frodsham 24 years ago. While we were watching it, a message came through on Rays pager about a Rustic Bunting at Walney Island. This was a new bird for me, but Walney Island is one of those places I dred going to, because it's a nightmare to get to and I usually dip on everything I go for there. However it seemed that we had to try, and we set off on the three hour (yes 3 hour!) journey from Bowness to South Walney Nature Reserve.

When we got to the reserve, we found about 20 birders watching the bird at a distance of about 100m and against the light. We had a quick look and then decided to circle around the bird and try to view it from near the Bank hide, which would put the bird in the perfect position for the light. The plan worked better than expected, and we soon saw the bird sitting on the fence much closer than before, and with the sun right on it. A great sight!

Then as we headed back home, another message came through on the pager. A juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper had been found at 4:30pm on the Allen Pool at Leighton Moss. When we arrived at the hide, there were only two birders present, and one told us that the bird had flown off 30 minutes earlier having been flushed by a Peregrine. However, within five minutes of arriving we relocated it on the Allen Pool, and had really good views. A great day.