Curlew Sandpiper 13th September 2008

Since the 9th September a small influx of curlew sandpipers have occured in britain this autumn. First occurence was on 9th on the south coast quickly followed by a spread northwards. Mainly juveniles occur on autumn passage being told by their patterned mantle which would be uniform grey on a winter plumage adult. This bird had a black ring on the left leg difficult to see unless at close range.