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The Birds Of South Gloucestershire          Wood Sandpiper - tringa glareola

 

Wood Sandpiper, is the smallest of the 'shanks' and breeds in sub arctic wetlands from the Scottish Highlands across Europe and Asia. It will nest on the ground, or reuse the old tree nest of another bird, such as the Fieldfare.  It is an uncommon passage migrant usually in smaller numbers than Common or Green Sandpipers, mainly seen on the east and south coasts. A few pairs breed in Scotland and it was recognised as a British species by Montagu in 1802.

 

There have been twenty-one Wood Sandpipers reported from S. Gloucestershire;

 

2010: (1)

A juvenile was present on Northwick Warth at New Passage on August 26th - 27th.

 

 

Wood Sandpiper on Northwick Warth. August 2010. Paul Bowerman & Tony Scott.

 

2009: (5)

A spring adult was seen at Severn Beach on May 13th with Dunlin and was last seen heading north towards the Second Severn Crossing where it was lost to view; Two were seen on Northwick Warth before flying south over New Passage on July 26th; A juvenile was noted on Lagoon 1 at Oldbury Power Station from mid morning on August 18th - 23rd; One was seen flying south at New Passage at 11:30 on August 20th.

 

 

Juvenile Wood Sandpiper at Oldbury Power Station. August 2009. Matt Plenty.

 

1997: (1)

On August 31st one was found at Northwick Warth, it was present for five days and was last noted on September 4th.

 

1996: (1)

One was noted at Oldbury Power Station on May 5th.

 

1993: (3)

One was noted on May 23rd at Northwick Warth; One was seen on August 28th at Northwick Warth; One was found on September 6th at Oldbury Power Station.

 

1985: (1)

On August 18th an individual was watched at Aust Warth.

 

1984: (1)

One was found on September 12th at Northwick Warth and was still present the following day September 13th.

 

1983: (1)

One was seen on August 7th at Oldbury Power Station.

 

1979: (2)

Two were seen together at Northwick Warth on August 25th.

 

1971: (1)

One was reported from Severn Beach on July 31st.

 

1967: (1)

On August 22nd one was noted at New Passage.

 

1943: (1)

One was clearly identified near St. Catherine, at the southern end of the Cotswolds, on August 13th 1943. The bird, viewed at about ten yards range, was feeding at a small pond close to the Oakford Reservoir and just within the present day South Gloucestershire recording area. Identified at map reference ST: 787 699. It was noted as being smaller than a Green Sandpiper and when in flight lacked the black and white appearance of that species. Among other details observed were the brown mantle patterned with white markings, the white rump and barred tail. When flushed it gave a shrill triple call, all on the same pitch. This appears to be the first recorded occurrence of this species for South Gloucestershire.

 

Howard H Davis: Bristol Naturalists Society Notes from 1943.

 

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