Marsh Sandpiper
Tringa stagnatilis (Bechstein, 1803) (5, 5)
Photo © By Jason Girvan - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=778951
STATUS
Palearctic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
The 1887 Hertfordshire record was acceptable for over 100 years as the first for Britain by the BOU (1971) but was finally rejected in 2013.
All other records as per BOU (1971).
RECORDS
1). 1937 Kent/Sussex The Midrips, two, seen, 26th September.
(N. F. Ticehurst & A. Morley, British Birds 31: 197-198; R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1937: 49; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981; BOURC (2013), Ibis 155: 652).
History N. F. Ticehurst & Avril Morley (1937) in British Birds, Vol. XXXI. pp. 197-198, say: 'On September 26th, 1937, we visited the Midrips and the Wicks, on the western border of Dungeness. In a small sedge-surrounded pool at the latter, situated almost exactly on the line of the Kent-Sussex boundary, we found two medium-sized grey and white waders. They were standing together in shallow water against the edge of the sedge on the far side from us, and about thirty yards distant, asleep, with their bills buried in their back feathers.
At first glance we took them to be Greenshanks (Tringa nebularia), for we had already seen one at another pool, five minutes previously, and knew that there were others about. They were grey on the upper parts with an obscure indication of striping, as though the edges were a faint shade paler than the bodies of the feathers. The tops and sides of their heads and the backs of their necks were white, rather finely speckled with grey, leaving a plain white superciliary stripe. Their under parts were wholly white, their bills dark (apparently black) and their legs a dark olive. When we advanced a few steps nearer they woke up, and one moved a little to one side, and we saw at once that they could not be Greenshanks.
They were at least a third smaller than a Greenshank, their bills were not long enough and they stood and walked with their necks gracefully curved, quite unlike the gawky, stiff-necked, attitude that the Greenshank assumes when alarmed. The next two most likely species to be met with in such a place in autumn, the Green and Wood Sandpipers (T. ochropus and glareola) we were able to rule out of court at once, for they were distinctly larger than either of these two, the colour pattern of their backs was totally different, and they lacked any dark markings on the lower neck and breast. After being watched for a further few minutes they rose and flew, almost directly away from us, inland and we lost them in the distance. In flight they resembled a Greenshank even more closely, for their backs showed an unbroken area of white extending from nearly the end of the tail to a point midway between the shoulders. Their wings appeared to be grey, the outer primaries slightly darker in tone than the rest of the wing, and no white showed at all.
After flying a few yards they called, a whistling note repeated four or five times, quite unlike a Greenshank's, but a little like a Redshank's, though lower pitched, rather more harsh and the repetitions less rapid. It also resembled the call of the Wood Sandpiper, but seemed to be less twangy. We had heard Greenshanks a few minutes earlier and we heard and saw Redshanks five minutes later. The only wader that fits this description is the Marsh Sandpiper (T. stagnatilis) a species that has already been recorded from the district on three occasions.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 205-206), while, the South-Eastern Bird Report quotes from British Birds.
Admitted nationally In the 8th edition of A Checklist of Birds of Britain as the first for Britain (BOURC (2013) Ibis 155: 652).
3). 1947 Suffolk Buss Creek, Southwold, three, 5th to 6th May.
(E. A. R. Ennion, British Birds 41: 156-157; Payn, 1978; Piotrowski, 2003).
History E. A. R. Ennion (1948) in British Birds, Vol. XLI. pp. 156-157, says: 'On May 5th and 6th, 1947, I observed three Marsh-Sandpipers (Tringa stagnatilis) near Southwold, Suffolk. They were on flooded marshland close to the coast, with shallow, brackish water and large areas of bare mud exposed between patches of low vegetation - Aster tripolium, etc. Very marked passage movements were going on at the time and many waders were present, including Greenshank (T. nebulana), Redshank (T. totanus), Spotted Redshank (T. erythropus), Green Sandpiper (T. ochropus) and Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos), and it was possible to compare the Marsh-Sandpipers very closely and conveniently with these other species. Redshank, Greenshank and Marsh Sandpiper were actually watched on the same bit of mud together.
They were markedly smaller than Greenshank and Spotted Redshank, but appeared only slightly smaller than common Redshank, although they were more slightly built and more active. The bill, which was very thin, appeared proportionately longer than either Greenshank's or Redshank's, but not so long as Spotted Redshank's. The same applies to the slender dark legs. The colouring of head, neck and mantle was noticeably pale - I recorded it as "winter-Sanderling grey with buff lights" that of the wings and lower scapulars was darker and mottled with dark brown. The rump and upper-part of tail were white, giving a pattern almost identical with that of a Greenshank in flight. In two of the three birds there was a dark mark between the eye and the base of the bill.
All the actions were particularly graceful and nervous. No call-note was heard. One or possibly two of the birds were evidently also seen, under less favourable conditions, on the 4th, but were then taken for unusually pale Greenshanks in winter plumage. By the 7th they had gone.'
1950-57 RECORDS
6). 1951 Sussex Cuckmere Valley, 29th April.
(L. P. Alder & C. M. James, British Birds 45: 223-224; G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1951: 19; Shrubb, 1979).
History L. P. Alder & C. M. James (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. pp. 223-224, say: 'On April 29th, 1951, we identified a Marsh Sandpiper in the Lower Cuckmere Valley, Sussex. First noted when disturbed from the edge of a small pool in a field near the river, the bird flew direct to the border of the Old Channel, some 200 yards away, where it began to feed. It frequently waded in the water, the legs being submerged to their full extent; under these conditions the bird appeared considerably smaller than two Redshanks feeding on muddy ground a few yards away.
We noted that the bird resembled a Greenshank, but differed from that species in having lighter plumage and proportionately longer legs, as well as a long and finer bill. The mantle and wings were buff-grey in colour and the feathers of the mantle had lighter edges. The crown and nape were pale buff and streaked in appearance. The remainder of the plumage was white except for pale buff markings on the tail feathers and a very pale buff flush on the upper breast. The bill was dull black and the legs were lighter and greyer in colour. In flight the slender build together with the white tail, rump and lower back were most distinctive, as were the long legs projecting well beyond the tail. Flight calls heard were recorded as a subdued "tchic tchic" and a louder, single "wic".
The bird was nervous and when disturbed left and did not return to the area. We should mention that L.P.A. has seen birds of this species abroad.'
7). 1952 Cheshire & Wirral/Greater Manchester Altrincham Sewage-farm, Cheshire, 10th to 13th August.
(R. J. Raines, T. Kelsey & D. Behrend, British Birds 46: 260, 455, corr.; Hedley Bell, 1962; A. J. Smith, Birds in Greater Manchester 1993: 113-116).
History R. J. Raines, T. Kelsey & D. Behrend (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. p. 260, say: 'On August 13th, 1952, we were able to identify a Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) at Altrincham sewage farm, Cheshire. We watched the bird for well over an hour and, although it was quite timid and always ready to fly, we were able to stalk it to within 15 yards. In flight without any size-comparison there was very little to distinguish it from a Greenshank (T. nebularia) in winter plumage, but when it flew with Redshank (T. totanus) its slim build and small size - a little more than three-quarters that of the Redshank - were very noticeable. The feet projected well beyond the tail in flight, but were so thin as to be inconspicuous. On the ground the bird was very graceful and active, feeding both by dipping the bill in the water and by picking from the surface. The prominent field-characters were the grey and white plumage, showing off the dark primaries; the fine, sharply pointed bill; the long, very slender legs.
Plumage details were noted as follows: forehead and sides of head, front of neck pure white; crown, nape and back of neck thickly marked with fine, light grey streaks leaving a suggestion of a white eye-stripe; back pale grey with a few darker markings; wing-coverts brownish-grey; primaries black or dark brown; back and rump white; tail white barred with brownish-grey; underparts white with a few light grey streaks on the sides of the breast; bill black; feet and legs variously appearing pale greenish or greenish-yellow. The call, heard constantly in flight, was a rather feeble, single note rendered "tchu", likened by R.J.R. to the first syllable of that of the Spotted Redshank (T. erythropus), by D.B. to the first call of the Wood Sandpiper (T. glareola). It was seen by many observers including Mr. A. R. Sumerfield who saw the bird daily.'
Further, p. 455, in a correction, they add: 'With reference to the record of a Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) at Altrincham, Cheshire, in 1952 (antea, p. 260), it has been pointed out by Mr. A. R. Sumerfield and Mr. John Southern that in the published account the date upon which the bird was first identified is wrongly given and there is no mention of the date upon which it was last seen. It was in fact first noted on August 10th and last observed on the 13th.'
8). 1954 Lincolnshire Welland Estuary, Holbeach St Marks, 8th August.
(I. C. T. Nisbet, British Birds 48: 138-139; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).
History I. C. T. Nisbet (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. pp. 138-139, says: 'On 8th August 1954, together with J. Cunningham, D. Farren and Miss W. M. Irving, I observed a Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) in the Welland Estuary near Holbeach St. Marks, Lincolnshire. The bird was resting at high tide on mud, in loose association with Redshanks (T. totanus), Greenshanks (T. nebularia), Black-tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa) and other species, and it was under observation for about forty minutes before it flew off up the estuary. It was rather shy and we were unable to watch it at ranges less than about sixty yards, but in excellent light we were able to compare it critically with Greenshanks in the same area.
A full description was obtained, of which the more important features are as follows: - General appearance somewhat Greenshank-like, but distinctly slighter, with very slender neck and head; legs rather longer, the bird appearing to stand appreciably higher off the ground; bill very long and very slender, appearing quite straight. Forehead, much of face, front of neck and whole under-parts dazzlingly white, unmarked except perhaps at the sides of the breast; crown, nape and hind-neck rather dark grey, extending forward a little round the neck just below the base of the head. Upper-parts rather dark, conspicuously mottled and streaked buff on a blackish ground, giving a general dark brownish-grey appearance in poor light, but appearing almost black when the bird faced the sun. In some lights the bird appeared conspicuously black and white. When stretching, however, the paler mantle and secondaries contrasted with the dark primaries, and in flight the wings appeared much paler (uniform greyish - D.F.).
Flight pattern much as Greenshank's, but more slender and rakish, with the slender legs extending well beyond the tail, much as in a Spotted Redshank (T. erythropus). When on the ground, size approximated to that of Redshank (D.F.) or rather smaller (J.C., I.C.T.N.), but legs longer and body slimmer and shorter. The bird was silent on rising and no call-note was heard. This constitutes the first record of the species in Lincolnshire.'
Accepted locally (Lorand & Atkin 1989).
9). 1955 Northumberland Wallsend Swallow Ponds, 20th to 25th August.
(M. Bell, A. Frizzell, J. Frizzell & B. Little, British Birds 49: 323-324; Galloway & Meek, 1978-83).
History M. Bell, A. Frizzell, J. Frizzell & B. Little (1956) in British Birds, Vol. XLIX. pp. 323-324, say: 'From 20th to 25th August 1955, on a flooded colliery subsidence known as Wallsend Swallow, about two miles north of Wallsend in the Tyne Valley, a small, slim, pale wader was seen by M.B. On the 24th he showed it to A.F. and J.F. who, being unable to identify it, wrote out a detailed description and made a sketch on the spot. Dr. H. M. S. Blair was consulted and suggested that the bird might be a Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) and so it proved to be.
On 29th August it was seen by B.L. under excellent conditions at a distance of ca. 15 yards. In general it resembled a very small Greenshank (T. nebularia); but, as two Greenshanks were present on the marsh at the same time, it was easy to compare the two species and note the points of difference. The Marsh Sandpiper was distinctly smaller and slimmer, its stance when feeding was more horizontal, its movements much more rapid. The bill was very dark, slender and needle-like and, proportionately, not so long as that of a Greenshank. The legs were very dark (not green), long in proportion to its body and extending ca. 1½-2 inches beyond the tail in flight. The head appeared greyish, as it was flecked with brown, like the back of the neck, but the forehead was distinctly white. In flight a large area of white was shown on the rump and tail and only the central tail-feathers were lightly flecked with brown. The breast and under-parts were very pure white. It did not associate with the Greenshanks, though it frequently passed close to them, when its smaller size, nimbler actions and more rapid gait were very noticeable.
It did not rise with the Greenshanks and appeared to be less easily alarmed; but, when flushed, it flew low, calling as it did so. On the ground its note was - "tu-lee, tu-lee"; in the air a series of notes - "tu-lee, tu-tu-tu-tu, tu-u-lee, tu-tu-tu". It was not seen after 29th August. This is the first record of this species for Northumberland.'
Accepted locally (Galloway & Meek 1978-83).
10). 1956 Essex The Naze, 25th August.
(G. A. Pyman, Essex Bird Report 1956: 22; Hudson & Pyman, 1968; Cox, 1984; Wood, 2007).
History G. A. Pyman (1956) in the Essex Bird Report, p. 22, says: 'Naze: one on mud of foreshore, August 25th (J.Di,, P.P. and J.K.W.).
Description: slightly smaller than Redshank, resembling a diminutive Greenshank in flight, with white on tail and rump extending as a wedge up the back at least as far as in that species and dark primaries contrasting with paler coloration of remainder of upperparts; flight reminiscent of Green Sandpiper's; on the ground at Ca. 50 yards' range smaller and slimmer than Greenshank, legs very long and greenish; bill slender, straight, and darker than legs; outer primaries dark, remainder of wing, wing coverts and mantle variously described as almost chestnut, dark mauve grey and purplish brown, with black patches and speckles and a few white flecks; crown and nape greyish brown speckled black and mottled white; side of neck grey, forehead white, the white continuing on side of head through eye; throat dingy and lightly speckled; remainder of underparts white; slight barring effect at end of tail; called on taking wing, a quiet "tu-lee"; noticeably tame.'
Accepted locally (Hudson & Pyman 1968; Cox 1984; Wood 2007).
NOT PROVEN
0). 1874 Yorkshire Near Malton, shot, about 8th January.
(E. Newman, Zoologist 1874: 4054-56).
[BOU, 1971].
History Edward Newman (1874) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. IX. pp. 4054-56, says: 'I have received the communication printed below from Mr. Roberts, the well-known naturalist, of Lofthouse, Wakefield, who has so often contributed to the pages of The Zoologist. The species is hitherto, as I suppose, unrecorded as British, but is not very unlikely to occur here, being familiarly known on the Continent of Europe. Mr. Roberts encloses in his communication a note from Mr. Edson, the gentleman who obtained it, and I have added in a separate note the synonyms from Temminck. Mr. Roberts' note is as follows: - Lofthouse, Wakefield, 13 March, 1874.
My Dear Sir, Mr. Edson, of Malton, has sent me information of the capture of a bird called the Marsh Sandpiper (Totanus stagnatilis). I can find no mention of such a bird in your Dictionary nor in MacGillivray's Manual. It must be a species new to the British Isles. The bird was shot about the 8th of January.
I have sent you the description that Mr. Edson has enclosed in his letter. Could you kindly tell me if there is such a species as T. stagnatilis, and if it has occurred here before? I have no work on European birds. I will try to get more information if it is worth looking after. The bird is in the hands of the person who shot it. Yours most truly, George Roberts.
Mr. Edson's note enclosed to Mr. Roberts is as follows: - "The Marsh Sandpiper (Totanus stagnatilis). This species, which is closely allied to the Green Sandpiper, the Redshank, &c., is a native of Northern Europe, where it frequents the borders of rivers, lakes and marshes, whence in the autumn it migrates southwards, pursuing its course through the eastern provinces to the Mediterranean, but does not frequent the maritime coasts of the ocean. It is abundant in Asia, and specimens killed in winter plumage have been received, according to Temminck, from the isles of Timor, Sunda and New Guinea. The beak is long, weak and awl-shaped, and its legs are elongated and slender. In summer its upper plumage is brown, with irregular black dashes; the under parts white, with brown specks on the throat and breast; tail striped diagonally with brown bands. In winter the upper surface is of a nearly uniform ashy grey, the under parts white; legs olive-green. Length about nine inches". ...It will be well to observe that Mr. Roberts makes no mention of having seen the specimen, and of course I have not, neither have I any means of verifying Mr. Edson's determination of the species, but I think it well to make the announcement, and therefore have given all the information in my Power.'
Comment Not admitted nationally (BOU 1971). Not acceptable.
0). 1887 Hertfordshire Tring Reservoirs, shot, October.
(J. E. Littleboy, Transactions of the Hertfordshire Naturalists' Society 5: 76; Eds., Ibis 1889: 247-248; Saunders, 1899; Sage, 1959; BOU, 1971; Gladwin & Sage, 1986; Palmer, 2000).
[BOURC (2013), Ibis 155: 635-676].
History In an Editorial review of the Transactions of the Hertfordshire Naturalists' Society, Vol. V. p. 76, by the late J. E. Littleboy under 'Notes on Birds observed in Hertfordshire in 1887' (Ibis, I: 247-248, 6th ser.) he says: 'But a still greater rarity is the Marsh Sandpiper (Totanus stagnatilis), an example of which is stated to have been shot near the Tring Reservoirs by Walter Rothschild in October 1887, and to have been taken at first for an "immature or first-winter plumaged Greenshank".
As the Marsh Sandpiper has not yet been recognized as a British bird, although occasionally met with in northern France, it is very desirable that this specimen should be carefully examined by a competent authority, and its authenticity placed beyond doubt.'
Saunders (1899: 620, 2nd ed.) in a footnote, says: 'It is asserted in Littleboy's 'Birds of Hertfordshire' that a Marsh Sandpiper, was shot near Tring Reservoirs in October 1887, but the bird was not submitted to competent authorities at the time, and has since been burned.'
Sage (1959: 107) adds: 'Identified by the Hon. Walter Rothschild (Trans., V. 78).' Locally, Gladwin & Sage (1986) p. 138, still accept it for Hertfordshire.
It was admitted (BOU 1971), but, later found to be unacceptable (BOURC (2013), Ibis 155: 635-676).
0). 1909 Sussex Near Rye, two: adult female, shot, 16th June; adult male, shot, 18th June both now at the Booth Museum, Brighton.
(M. J. Nicoll, British Birds 3: 356-359; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 1: 304, 305; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History M. J. Nicoll (1910) in British Birds, Vol. III. pp. 356-359, says: 'In his Manual of British Birds (2nd Edition, p. 620) the late Howard Saunders calls attention to the fact that the reputed Marsh Sandpiper which was shot at Tring Reservoir in October, 1887, "was not submitted to competent authorities at the time, and has since been burned".* This being the only record of this species in Great Britain up to the present time, its claims for inclusion in the British list have been slender. In June, 1909, however, a pair of undoubted Totanus stagnatilis was obtained in Sussex. The female of the pair - an adult in summer-plumage - was shot on June 16th, at a pool of water in the beach on the west side of Rye Harbour. Two days later an adult male was shot at the same place.
Both of these were examined by the writer, the first in the flesh and the second when partly skinned. These interesting birds are now in the collection of Mr. J. B. Nichols, who has kindly lent them for the purpose of reproducing the accompanying figure. It is satisfactory, though not surprising, that the Marsh Sandpiper has at last been added to the British list. It has occurred on Heligoland and in Northern France, therefore it was only to be expected that sooner or later it would put in an appearance on our coasts.
The occurrence of a rare straggler in England at a time when it should be in the midst of breeding operations would seem remarkable, were it not for the fact that this is by no means an unprecedented event. I know of several instances of the appearance in England of birds, not known to breed here, at a time when they should have been engaged in rearing their young. The cause of this is probably due to the fact that their eggs have been destroyed, and it being too early to migrate southwards, the birds have wandered aimlessly about until they reached our coasts. Such a solution is frequently suggested by Gätke in his Birds of Heligoland.'
E. N. Bloomfield (1911) in the Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist, Vol. I. pp. 304, 305, says: 'Dr. N. F. Ticehurst has sent me a long and very interesting list of rare birds which have occurred in our own and neighbouring districts, to which I have added a few others lately presented to the Museum by Mr. W. H. Mullens. In Sussex - Totanus stagnatilis, Bechst., Marsh Sandpiper, adult pair, Rye Harbour, June 16 and 18th, 1909, second and third British specimens.'
Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 205) who adds: '...both now at the Booth Museum, Brighton.
Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.
0). 1910 Sussex Bodiam Marsh, female, shot, 1st July, now at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery (Acc. No. 1962Z10.56).
(J. B. Nichols, British Birds 5: 49; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 3; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Watson, 2010).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History J. B. Nichols (1911) in British Birds, Vol. V. p. 49, says: 'In British Birds, Vol. III. p. 386, Mr. M. J. Nicoll recorded two Marsh-Sandpipers (Totanus stagnatilis) killed near Rye, Sussex, on June 16th and 18th, 1909. I wish to place on record that a third specimen was shot on Bodiam Marsh on July 1st, 1910. It is a female, rather darker on the back than the one killed on June 16th, 1909. It was examined in the flesh by Mr. Ruskin Butterfield. All three specimens are in my possession.'
Accepted locally by Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 205) who adds: '...now at the Booth Museum, Brighton.'
Watson (2010) in detailing the J. L. Auden collection in the Birmingham Museum lists a female specimen that was obtained at Hawkhurst, Bodiam Marsh, Kent, on 1st July 1910, adding that it was bought from J. B. Nichols sale.
Comment Hastings rarity. Not acceptable.
0). 1915 Kent Romney Marsh, male and female, shot, 24th May, both now at Leicester Arts & Museums (Acc. No. Z28.2006.124.8 & Z28.2006.124.7).
(H. W. Ford-Lindsay, British Birds 9: 69; W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 201; A. H. J. Harrop, British Birds 111: 228-230).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History H. W. Ford-Lindsay (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 69, says: 'A fine pair of Marsh Sandpipers was shown to me on May 25th, 1915, having been shot the previous day on Romney Marsh.'
Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.
0). 1925 Kent Romney Marsh, two, seen, 6th April.
(H. G. Alexander, British Birds 19: 26-28).
[BOU, 1971].
History H. G. Alexander (1925) in British Birds, Vol. XIX. pp. 26-28, says: 'I had a remarkable walk in Romney Marsh, Kent, on April 6th, 1925, and some of the birds seen seem to deserve a record. A steady, though not strong, wind had been blowing from between south and south-east for nearly two days, and there had been rain on and off all the previous night. It is possible that this was the cause of the arrival of some unusual visitors....I also saw two curious Sandpipers, whose identity must, I am afraid, remain a little uncertain, though I watched them for a good time at a distance of perhaps thirty yards.
They were slender and elegant birds, smaller, I think, than Redshanks, though no Redshank happened to go near them; a party of Ringed Plovers, however, did. Their beaks were long, straight and dark, and their legs apparently the same. Certainly neither was red. Their necks and under-parts were beautifully white, with no trace of a brown patch on the sides. The wings looked a fairly uniform brown, not very dark. I had my glasses on them at the moment when they flew up; they showed a white patch on the back, rather similar to a Redshank's, but not very conspicuous. They were silent.
They settled again some way off, and I could not get any nearer to them. I think it possible that they were Marsh Sandpipers (Tringa stagnatilis) in winter plumage; but the inconspicuousness of the white on the back casts a doubt on this. It is possible that the white would have seemed more conspicuous to the naked eye than it did through binoculars, but there are so many members of the genus Tringa in the world, any of which might turn up in England, that I cannot be sure.'
Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.
0). 1938 Kent Eastern locality, seen, 8th July.
(R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1938: 63).
[Eds., British Birds 33: 143].
History R. Whitlock (1938) in the South-Eastern Bird Report, Vol. V. p. 63, says: 'One was seen on a partially dried-up marsh pool close to the E. Kent coast on July 8. It was in company with another grey wader, which bird was not satisfactorily identified (T.C.G.).'
In an Editorial (1939) in British Birds, Vol. XXXIII. p. 143, in a Review of the South-Eastern Bird Report, for 1938 they say: 'A bird claimed to have been a Marsh Sandpiper was seen in E. Kent on July 8th. We can gather that the bird was grey but otherwise we are given no idea how such a rare bird, which very few British observers have ever seen, came to be identified. As it stands this is a very good case of an unacceptable record because it is quite unsupported by any details to show how the bird was identified.'
Comment No identification details for this sight record of a difficult species. Not acceptable.
0). 1940 Berkshire Slough Sewage-farm, 19th to 22nd May.
(B. W. Tucker, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1940: 22; Fraser & Youngman, 1976).
[B. W. Tucker, Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire 1940: 22; Not in BOU, 1971; Swash, 1996].
History B. W. Tucker (1940) in the Report of the Oxford Ornithological Society on the Birds of Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, p. 22, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'A sandpiper which was almost certainly this species was seen at Slough by N.W.M. on May 22 and by A.J.B.T. on May 19, 21 and 22. Particulars supplied by N.W.M., who watched it at close range in a good light with 6 x 30 binoculars, show that it was considerably smaller than nearby Redshanks, but otherwise very like a Greenshank, with similar rump and tail-pattern in flight, pale brownish-grey above with dark spots, white belly and hoary breast with faint crescentic markings, long legs for its size, and a triple "twee-twee-twee" in flight much like Wood Sandpiper's note. Both observers are familiar with Greenshank and Wood Sandpiper.'
Fraser & Youngman (1976) accept the record even though it has been rejected previously.
0). 1951 Sussex Thorney, 22nd April.
(G. des Forges & C. W. G. Paulson, British Birds 45: 223-224; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).
[D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers, British Birds 99: 463].
History G. des Forges & C. W. G. Paulson (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. pp. 223-224, say: 'On April 22nd, 1951, we watched a Marsh Sandpiper (Tringa stagnatilis) at Thorney, Sussex. We first saw it flying towards us in company with two Spotted Redshanks (Tringa erythropus); we were immediately struck by its unfamiliar appearance and we subsequently had a close view of it in flight and later of it feeding at about 100 yards distance. The following notes are summarized from what we wrote down at the time. In flight the legs projected welt beyond the tail, very noticeably more than in the case of the Greenshank (T. nebularia).
The body was very slim; the wings greyish-brown and unpatterned; the rump and upper surface of the tail white; the forehead was conspicuously white. On the ground the long legs appeared yellowish-green; the bill long, slender and blackish; the under-parts white, apart from a little freckling under the chin; the head white, with crown, nape and a stripe behind and through the eye grey-brown; the back grey-brown patterned with what appeared pale edgings to the feathers. In size the over-all length seemed similar to that of a Redshank (T. totanus), but the bird was less bulky. The chief impressions were of elegance in attitude and paleness in coloration and that, even for a wader, it was wary. Possibly the fact that the wind had been in an easterly quarter for several days previously had some bearing on its occurrence. We have not heard that the bird was seen at Thorney before or after April 22nd.'
Accepted locally (Shrubb 1979; James 1996).
However, D. I. M. Wallace, C. Bradshaw & M. J. Rogers (2006) in British Birds, Vol. XCIX. p. 463, in a review of certain rarities during the period 1950-57, found this record to be unacceptable.
