The Lincolnshire Bird Club

I walked into the visitor centre at RSPB Frampton this afternoon just as a discussion was underway as to the ID of a Wader visible at no great distance out on Reedbed Lagoon. Wilsons Phalarope was suggested due to the needle sharp bill combined with grey upper parts and white underparts.greenish yellow legs were also mentioned. I asked to look at the bird through a scope and immediately had it as a Marsh Sandpiper. However, it chose that moment to fly a short distance to the west where it landed out of sight behind reeds. I had good enough views to be virtually certain that it was a Marsh Sand, but hey, you know what doubts can creep in when those views are not completely satisfactory!! And it was not my scope. We spend the next three hours trying to relocate the bird to no avail.
As I was leaving I had a chat to the two RSPB staff members who had found the bird ( apologies chaps for not knowing your names) and, having had time to do some research on Marsh Sand ID, they are 100% certain that the bird is a Marsh Sand backing up my opinion. So that is good. No doubt they will do a Rare Bird description some time.

No sign anywhere on the reserve between 06.50 and 10.35, although Toby did pick up 2 Pectoral Sandpipers on the wetlands behind the East Hide viewed from near the seawall steps.

Phil

odd how these extreme rares just seem to disappear at such well watched sites contra the very long staying blue chicken

Yes, I can remember twitching a Great Black-headed Gull, disappeared in thin air.

Apparently found by a renowned Lincolnshire birder.

Tell me about it Graham!! I have watched a Wilsons Phalarope walk behind a small island in front of the 360 hide with birders everywhere - never to be seen again. And now this Marsh Sand just gently flies over to another pool behind some reeds - not yet seen again. I am developing a complex!!!