Baird's Sandpiper

26 Oct - A morning foray to Goldcliff, just on the "foreign" side of the Severn. Great views of a flock of Curlew in the morning sun, the waders generally quite jumpy due to the presence of a Peregrine sat on the island. After checking the lagoons, a last look produced the Baird's, short-legged and long-winged, well camouflaged as it fed on the muddy shoreline. My 3rd nearctic shorebird of the autumn. En route home, no joy with the Jack Snipe at Slimbridge but great views of Lapwings in the sparkling sunlight, together with the dabbling duck now coming into smart winter plumage.