I was up early this morning and picked up by Owen Parsons, who was chasing two life-list ticks: Kentish Plover and Least Sandpiper. I had already seen the Least Sandpiper earlier in the month, but the Kentish Plover was the real target — I had only ever encountered two in Britain before.
We arrived at Burham-on-Sea in Somerset just before sunrise. A small group of birders was already on site, having located the Kentish Plover roosting with a flock of Ringed Plovers.
Birders on site
The bird, an adult female, carries a fascinating history: ringed in Germany on 14 June 2021, it has returned to this area every winter since 18 January 2022. We enjoyed excellent views as it moved quietly among the Ringed Plovers, a real treat for anyone who has waited years for a Kentish Plover in Britain.
By 10:00am, Owen had successfully added both species to his life list, and we were back in Cheshire by 2:00pm, comfortably ahead of the Friday evening rush. It was a short but highly productive trip, showcasing some of the finest winter waders the west coast of Somerset has to offer.