Having finished work, news came out on Birdguides that a Wood Sandpiper had been found just half an hour down the road from where I was staying. It had been a couple of years since I’d last seen one, so with a fine spring evening on my side, I didn’t hesitate to head out.
On arrival, I quickly picked up the bird as it foraged along the edge of a shallow pool.
Wood Sandpiper
In the UK, the Wood Sandpiper is a classic passage wader, appearing primarily during spring and autumn migration as birds move between their northern breeding grounds and African wintering areas. Spring records typically peak from late April through May, often involving single birds or small groups dropping into shallow pools, flooded fields, or the edges of gravel pits. Autumn passage is usually more prolonged, stretching from July into September, with juveniles making up the bulk of sightings. Rarely lingering for long, Wood Sandpipers can appear overnight and be gone just as quickly, making any encounter feel particularly special for UK birders.