Shorncote.....and a Semipalmated Plover

18-19 Oct - A late afternoon walk at Shorncote on 18th did not reveal any sign of the Bittern that has been seen recently, but the views of the reedbed rather restricted by vegetation until the leaves fall. 2 Cetti's Warblers and a Water Rail heard, 35+ Lapwing and a Snipe over, a few Wigeon and Teal returned for winter and 10 Fieldfares flew east. On 19th I went to Hayling Island where a Semipalmated Plover has been roosting with the wader flock (the righthand plover in the group of 4, photos 1-3) - only the 3rd or 4th record for Britain. It appeared on the beach with a flock of Sanderling, then flew to roost on the shingle beach. Smaller than the Ringed Plovers with a stubby bill, and very faint eye ring, the distinctive call was heard twice when it flew in. Other waders at Hayling included Sanderling, Dunlin, Redshank and Bar-tailed Godwit. A winter adult Mediterranean Gull was offshore. A quick stop at Farlington on the way home yielded c20 Grey Plovers on the pool (4-6), showing their black axillaries in flight, with 2 Knot, 4 Snipe, 50+ Black-tailed Godwits, 100+ Redshank, 300+ Curlew and 50+ Dunlin. Photos JM. Little Egret, Pintail and Shoveler also present.