THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
BROAD-BILLED SANDPIPER – Limicola falcinellus
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Broad-billed Sandpiper is strongly migratory wintering from easternmost Africa through south and south-east Asia to Australasia. It is highly gregarious and will form flocks with Calidris waders particularly Dunlins. Despite its European breeding range this species is rare on passage in western Europe presumably because of the south-easterly migration route.
There have been two Broad-billed Sandpipers reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1983: (1)
On August 20th an adult in worn summer plumage was identified at Oldbury Power Station and remained until August 22nd. This occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.
Broad-billed Sandpiper at Oldbury Power Station. August 1983. © K. Vinicombe.
1988: (1)
On May 16th a summer adult was identified at Severn Beach and was present at both the morning and evening high tide roosts. It was probably the 101st British record.