STILT SANDPIPER in DORSET

A STILT SANDPIPER in full breeding plumage is present for its fourth day at Lodmoor RSPB. It is frequenting a muddy scrape just inland of the coast road with 4 Green Sandpipers and 4 Icelandic Black-tailed Godwits but can be very elusive, disappearing for up to six hours at a time. It also occasionally commutes to the pools to the west of Breachdown Way.

It is best to park in Overcombe car park in Preston (£1.60 for every two hours) and walk the 300 or so yards along the main road and cycle track to the raised bank to view. Only the muddier section of the scrape can be seen and for much of the time, the Stilt Sand can be out of view feeding in the wetter, closer part of the scrape obscured by tall vegetation.