I few people all around Breydon scaning from both the rugby club and the asda side when I drove past at 12 the tide seemed to be high at present
Cheers Gary, got onto the bird mid-afternoon; but it wasn't keen on giving itself up too easily!
Myself and another birder (from Ipswich) called the Broad-billed at almost exactly the same time, we had satisfactory but brief views. A group of birders then arrived, and we were unable to get them onto the bird at first since everything turned out to be a Dunlin, and our bird had presumably retired to the channel and deeper mud flats.
There was something else out there that none of us could ID with any certainty. It was pale underneath, less rufous on top, with a drooping bill. It looked relatively long-legged, similar in size to the Dunlin. The tail seemed 'stunted'. Any ideas?! Sanderling, a second Broad-billed and Dunlin were all discussed at the time. Some on site believed this Broad-billed to be a different individual to the one seen 27th-28th May, so maybe that was what we saw.
Anyway, THE Broad-Billed Sandpiper did eventually offer good views, as usual with tricky birds it showed well on the way back to the car, after having hiked a little further than I had realised/intended. Great looking bird, head pattern not dissimilar to Common Snipe, also a more methodical feeder than the Dunlin.
Cheers,
Jim.
ps bird was seen in Suffolk, but later flew in the direction of Norfolk!