On this day - Upland Sandpiper
Having made my Scilly debut just weeks earlier - I knew the logistics; overnight drive to Penzance, hop on the helicopter and - bang - you’re birding on Scilly!
Following our earlier visit I’d kept my eye-in on the news and watched how an ever increasing roll-call of would-be lifers materialized on the islands.
It got to the point where I couldn’t ignore it and with friends already staying on the isles I engineered a long weekend visit to coincide with my birthday. On this second visit to the isles, I recall seeing Short-toed Lark, Northern Waterthrush, Least Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs and Upland Sandpiper over just a few days. Mind-boggling birding!
Upland Sandpiper in particular felt rare, other-worldly, like a bug-eyed, skinny Stone Curlew. Almost cartoon proportioned, with the small head and bulging eye.
Upland Sandpiper - St Mary's - October 2011 |
Upland Sandpiper - St Mary's - October 2011 |
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