Broad Biled Sandpiper Drayton Bassett

[Paul Hackett]

Went to see this bird in the week and enjoyed my time with it, to see its jiz and behaviour, on a few occasions it would stoop and stare up at the sky when the group of people around me could see no threat in the skies?

the ringed and little ringed plovers were at close range too !

attached are some of the pics i took of the bird

[Reader]

Hi Paul

I had about 90 minutes with it on Tuesday Night. I must admit to watching it doing the same as you mentioned, almost as if a bird of prey was around.

I tried to get some decent photos of the bird but failed. I have come to realise that my eyesight is letting me down badly when using my digiscoping set up. But then I see these wonderful photos of yours and I still live in hope that one day I might get one half as good, so I will keep on trying.

Cracking photos Paul.

[Rob Smallwood]

Paul,

Planning a visit tomorrow - what are the access details?

Rob

[Reader]

Rob

Weekends are fine, no access problem as the works close down for the weekends. So you have all day to watch this little beauty --- if its still there that is!

[tom mckinney]

Rob

Weekends are fine, no access problem as the works close down for the weekends. So you have all day to watch this little beauty --- if its still there that is!

No sign this morning on its usual pit, however, yesterday it did briefly move to a pit further down the track, so maybe...

If it does turn up and people are interested in going then these are the directions:

From Middleton Hall (access off A4091) take the footpath north from the car park until you come to a T-junction and a house. Go right here until you come to a conveyor belt. Go left at the conveyor belt and into a very wide "ditch" following the conveyor belt all the time. Cross the conveyor belt using the yellow steps and continue. You cross the canal on a rather Indiana Jones-esque ricketty bridge and then go left. The pit it was on is about the 3rd pit on your right. It's a long walk!

There are quicker ways directly from the A4091, but apparently it is a maze of footpaths around there and you will get lost unless you have "the knowlegde."

As Paul's fantastic pics show, it is a stunning bird that shows very closely.

If it has gone for good, then a summer plumage Spotted Sandpiper found this morning not a million miles away at Sandbach Flashes in Cheshire, is a nice replacement!!!

[Reader]

Here is a quicker route that is easy and nearer.

On the A4091 going towards Tamworth. Drive past Middleton Hall (which will be on your right) until the dual carriageway ends. About 100 yards before that dual carriageway ends there is a cut through on your right. Turn right here and go straight over the road. You will see a gate the other side of the road with room for a few cars to park. Park up there and walk along this tree lined path (about half a mile - plenty of Yellowhammers along here). Eventually you cross over the canal bridge and the pits are in front of you. Cross over a narrow bridge (over the Conveyor Belt). North pit is to your left and you follow the conveyor belt to your left. After about half a mile there is an obvious kink in the path that momentarily takes you away from the conveyor belt then comes back to it. North pit is just past there on the right.

Coming from Tamworth. You drive past Drayton Manor park and just as you join the dual carriageway the parking spot is on your left.

[tom mckinney]

Here is a quicker route that is easy and nearer.

I wish you'd posted those directions before I went! My route took me about 45 minutes :eek!: ;)

[Reader]

Sorry Tom. I hadn't realised you were going. You should have asked in a reply in this thread. Still, like me, you probably needed the excercise.

At least I got it so it made the walk worthwhile.

I'll say no more. LOL

[tom mckinney]

Hi Reader,

I saw it on Tuesday night and to be totally honest I really did need the excercise!

Tom.

[Reader]

Hi Tom

We must be bumping into each other without knowing it as I saw it on Tuesday night as well. I have just posted a reply in the List thread as I must have been by you last night at the Sand Spot site.

[tom mckinney]

This is weird! I was at Drayton between 5.30-8pm.

[Reader]

This is weird! I was at Drayton between 5.30-8pm.

Oh dear. We were there from 18:30 and we left about 20:30 as well. I had my Birdforum cap on at this site although I didn't have it on at the Spot Sand site.