The Purple Sandpiper is a mega rarity in our area these days, in fact the last LDBWS Annual Report 2020 reads, 'no records this year for the first time in many years', but the Lancashire Bird Report 2021 reads, 'one at Heysham in August and November, with two on Seaborn Road, Morecambe on 23 November'.
Having seen reports of them recently, I made good use of a couple of hours to spare in Morecambe to make contact with two Purple Sandpiper on the groyne opposite Park Road.
The footage I managed is OK for the record, but isn't all that good in quality for a couple of reasons, the first bird wasn't at all obliging in that it remained at rest in the shadows, despite two Turnstones almost flying into it. In the second section of the video, I miss-judged the target with the camera, but one can be seen in the water at the foot of the groyne, the second bird is in view to the right and above the first.
The Purple Sandpiper is a scarce winter visitor from Arctic Canada and Norway. I read that in excess of 17,000 of the species that winter in Britain are found overwhelmingly in the Northern Isles, the Outer Hebrides and on the coasts of eastern Scotland and north-east England. In Lancashire it has always been rare....Rehfisch et al 2003
In his book The Birds Of Lancashire first published in 1953, Clifford Oakes wrote 'A regular winter visitor in small or moderate numbers to the shores of Walney Island, scarce and infrequent on the Lune Estuary, rare elsewhere.
There have been only two recoveries of Lancashire-ringed Purple Sandpipers, both informative. At Seaforth a bird ringed in March 1978, was on Hilbre Island at the mouth of the Dee 25km away in September the same year, and a bird ringed at Heysham in April 1977, returned there every winter for 12 years until 1989, the bird actually summered at Heysham in 1987....The Birds of Lancashire and North Merseyside 2008
The Purple Sandpiper yesterday made my total of just four records in the little black book in 150 years of birding!!
Great stuff, Pete. I had my first ever Purple Sandpiper (four of them) on the Scillies last year. so will probably never see one again!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and KT - - - Richard
Glad you found your Purple Sandpiper.
ReplyDeleteI have the book “The Birds of Lancashire” second edition published 1892 by F S Mitchell, not a relative as far as I know but my Great Great Grandfather is mentioned 3 times in it under different birds. The article for Purple Sandpiper reads :-
The sandy shores of Lancashire are not suitable for this rock-loving species, and although during the winter months it is a regular visitor in small numbers, and has been shot along the whole line of coast, it is one of the rarest of the Sandpipers. It has been killed inland, but very infrequently.
Hope this is of interest - you are welcome to come and view the book anytime.
Regards Ian
Thank you Richard.
ReplyDeleteI will e-mail you re the F.S.Mitchell book Ian.
Best Wishes to both...Pete.
Fantastic meeting Pete... I hope you are well... Have a nice week and Merry christmas to you and your family...
ReplyDeleteA Very Happy Christmas to you Ana and to the delightful Bruce too....Pete.
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