Last minute change of plan on 6^th May from Castle Hill to the River Ouse as a pair of Spotted  Sandpipers (from across the Atlantic) had been seen over the past few days near Southease and seemed to be hanging around.  Sally & Rikki joined me & Ezio for still quite a long walk, as we parked at Rodmell and walked to the river from the west side.  Heard Reed and Sedge Warblers singing in the same vicinity, plenty of Reed Buntings – well satisfying Sally who hadn’t seen one this season – and vociferous Cetti’s of course.  A seal was bobbing its head about in the river, and there were several Whimbrels on the other bank.  Finally got to where a couple of birders were standing, but the sandpipers had split ranks with one flying further down river and the other had disappeared upstream.  A young chap started walking back, then waved to say he had found one of the birds again, and we were able to get reasonable view of it.  Beautiful spotting on the front, and the eyestripe made the head look rather Redwing-like!  More Whimbrels were seen on the way back too.  Also noted were some Swallows, Skylarks, Linnets, Goldfinches, Little Egret, a Raven, swans, and of course, Blackcap and Chiffchaff nearer to the village.

Upon returning home, I had lunch and a kip, and Ezio finally ate his breakfast and did the same!

More info on Spotted Sandpipers in the UK on https://rbbp.org.uk/2023/01/01/spotted-sandpipers/

Many thanks to Sally for the Whimbrel, seal & Spotted Sandpiper photos.

Val