Shingle Trudge

Monday July 6
When the pager brought news of a Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Cley, Simmonds Scrape, the washing machine was part way through a cycle. We arrived at the triangle early lunchtime, meeting a disconsolate Dave Bridges who'd just missed the bird - and Robin Abel who hadn't. After a chat as to its possible whereabouts, Pam and I decided to linger a while at Salthouse. Driving past Iron Road, a pager beep heralded news that it was back on North Scrape where it had started the day.
Not our favourite walk.....and into the stiffish breeze too. We also had a sharp shower en route. The Buff-breasted was busily feeding as distantly as possible but, in good light.For no apparent reason, all the birds went up, the sandpiper landing much nearer to the Hide where we could all enjoy the well marked back and buff pectoral band. Excellent, I think our last sighting was on Scilly some years ago.
We drove home on roads showing recent heavy rain, lightning flashes all around.