THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
PECTORAL SANDPIPER – Calidris melanotos
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Pectoral Sandpiper breeds in the boggy tundra of northeast Asia and North America and is a very long-distance migrant. It has a greyish breast, sharply demarcated at its lower edge, which gives this species its English name. Much the commonest Nearctic vagrant to Europe and annual in autumn from late August to mid-October in Britain and Ireland. Its relatively high frequency of occurrence is believed to be linked to strong south-east movement across Canada in autumn, leading to overshooting of the Canadian coast into paths of Atlantic depressions, though some vagrants may reach Europe westwards from Siberia.
There have been five Pectoral Sandpipers reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1989: (1)
On September 17th a presumed juvenile/ 1st winter was identified at Oldbury Power Station. This occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.
1998: (1)
A juvenile/ 1st winter was found on September 21st - 26th at Northwick Warth.
Pectoral Sandpiper at Northwick Warth. September 1998. © P. Leigh.
2005: (1)
On August 3rd one thought to be this species was reported in flight heading north at Oldbury Power Station.
2006: (2)
One, a juvenile was reported at Northwick Warth on the morning of September 23rd favouring the grazed salt marsh at ST: 552 872. It was still present on September 24th and around 10:00 on September 25th. It was joined by a second bird at around 18:25 with one lingering until September 26th.
Pectoral Sandpiper at Northwick Warth. September 2006. © Left and centre Paul Bowerman, right Gary Thoburn.