Buff-breasted Sandpiper

A few days ago a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was found in Ledskär. Didn't go for it then, because 1) it was already getting dark and 2) I've already seen one a few years ago. Anyway, yesterday it was refound, and since I didn't have anything else planned today I decided to go for it. Since I really like Ledskär I figured it would be an okay day even if the sandpiper wasn't there anymore, lots of other birds to see.

Drove up there, met some happy people at the car park who informed us it was indeed there, and walked out to the tower. The two people in the tower were looking at other things when we arrived, so they weren't sure exactly where it was now. No worries, after a few minutes I found the bird and we could study it nicely. Some more people arrived, and the sandpiper was most obliging, even though it was at a distance. Got slightly cramped in the tower for a little while, it is not very big.


A few people in the tower watching the sandpiper

Only bad thing was the wind... it was absolutely howling! Scope shook so I could hardly see anything at times. Decided to go down and stand behind the information sign next to the tower instead, less wind but a little harder to see the birds. The sandpiper was very active, running to and fro and often hiding behind some grass.


The star of the day: Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis)

Apart from the sandpiper we saw Golden Plovers, Grey Plovers, Coots, Wigeons, Pintails, Dunlins, Ruffs, Bean Geese, Barnacle Geese and a few Cranes, just to mention a few. All in all a nice day.