Juv Pectoral Sandpiper.

Brockholes Quarry, Lancs, UK.

09-10.09.03. - by Bill Aspin.

On 9^th Sept 2003, I arrived at 10.30hrs for my regular visit to Brockholes Quarry. I was aware that two Pectoral Sandpipers had been seen briefly at Stocks Reservoir the previous day, and with this in mind, my visit had an extra dose of anticipation.

Viewing the main pool from the NE corner, I had been scanning the area for 45mins, when I noticed that a Calidrid sp. had appeared halfway along the pool, opposite the hide, and was feeding actively in ‘open-water’. Due to the light conditions the bird was in almost full silhouette, but within seconds of ‘scoping it, I was convinced that the bird must be a ‘Pec’ on jizz alone. I raced to a position where the light was better and was able to confirm that the bird was indeed a Pectoral Sandpiper in juvenile plumage.

The bird remained faithful to the area of the main pool out from the hide until dusk on the 10^th September, but had departed by the next day and constitutes the first record for the site.

Mark Breaks succeeded in obtaining some excellent images of the bird, which accompany this article.

Description.

Size/jizz: Larger than Dunlin, approaching the size of a Green Sandpiper. The bird showed a front heavy appearance, with relatively slim body and attenuated rear-end and was small headed, appearing relatively long-necked at times. I only saw the bird briefly in flight. It appeared long-winged with a narrow, pale wingbar. At rest, the wings projected past the tip of the tail.

Head/Neck: The Crown was rufous with dark streaking. A strong, off-white and lightly streaked Supercillium extended well behind the eye, merging with the similar coloured and streaked Nape. This isolated the Crown giving the bird a 'capped' effect. A dark loral line was present. The Cheeks/Ear Coverts were lightly rufous in colour. The throat was a paler off-white, again lightly streaked.

 Breast: The ground colour of the breast was warmer at the sides than across the centre of the breast. The fine streaking from the neck became thicker and darker on the breast. The pectoral band was strikingly well defined and formed a light 'v' at the centre.

Upperparts/Wings: Most of the upperpart feathering consisted of dark feather centres with, predominantly rufous fringing. The Wing Covert feathers were paler fringed as were some of the Scapulars. The bird showed obvious mantle and scapular 'V's. The Tertials were dark centred with bright, rufous fringes. The primaries were dark.

Underparts: White.

Bill: Length-wise, was slightly greater than the length of the head and slightly de-curved. Almost the basal half of the bill of both Mandibles was paler that the outer half of the bill.

Eye: Dark.

Legs:  green/yellow.

Call: I did not hear the bird call.

Record accepted by the Lancashire Records Panel.

More articles on Pectoral Sandpiper occurances in East Lancs can be viewed by clicking on the links below.

Two juvenile Pectoral Sandpipers at Stocks Reservoir - 8th Sept 2003 - by Glenn Hodkinson.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Champion Moor flood, 17-22nd Sept  2000, by Bill Aspin.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Stocks Reservoir, 1st-11th July 2000, by Bill Aspin.

Pectoral Sandpiper, Champion Moor Flood, 6-8th May 2000, by Bill  Aspin.