Terek Sandpiper
Xenus cinereus (Güldenstädt, 1775) (0, 3)
Photo © Graham Catley - Covenham Reservoir, Lincolnshire, May 2014
STATUS
Palearctic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Records are as per BOU (1971).
1950-57 RECORDS
1). 1951 Sussex The Midrips, 30th May.
(A. H. Betts, British Birds 45: 36, 37; G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1951: 18; BOURC (1968), Ibis 113: 142; Shrubb, 1979).
History A. H. Betts (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. pp. 36, 37, says: 'When at the Midrips, near Camber, Sussex, on May 30th, 1951, I saw a bird working along beneath the foot-high mud bank and noted the following details: general size and build of a Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) with similar bobbing action, but uniform ashy-grey above with perhaps a buffish tinge; there was a pale stripe through the eye, and throat, breast and under-parts were pure white. The outstanding features were, however, a long, slender black bill with (as I jotted it down on the spot) "a definite slight upturn" - not so pronounced, that is, as in an Avocet (Avosetta recurvirostra) - and legs somewhat longer than a Common Sandpiper's and bright yellow. In flight, skimming the water from bank to bank, the impression given was that of a ghostly Common Sandpiper with that bird's characteristic shallow, "flicking" wing action. The bird was watched for some fifteen minutes steadily feeding, usually dipping the morsels obtained from the mud into water before swallowing. Owing to the low bank it was most convenient to watch from across the stretch of water, but views within 25 yards were obtained with 8 x 30 binoculars and x 25 telescope under excellent light conditions, though a high wind was troublesome. On checking over the details of my observations with The Handbook, and after examining skins at the British Museum, I am convinced that the bird was a Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus).'
[Careful search by other observers in the area of the Midrips on June 2nd produced no sign of the bird reported by Mr. Betts. It is thus possible that these two records refer to the same individual.]
Admitted nationally as the first for Britain (BOURC (1968) Ibis 113: 142).
Comment Locality is in Sussex (Sussex Bird Report 1953: 5).
2). 1951 Suffolk Buss Creek, near Southwold, 2nd to 6th June.
(G. B. G. Benson, British Birds 45: 36-37; Payn, 1978).
History G. B. G. Benson (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. pp. 36-37, says: 'On the evening of June 2nd, 1951, W. E. Rowe saw a strange wader on a marsh near Southwold. In better light next day he was able to identify it as a Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus). It remained until about 16.30 G.M.T., June 6th, and was seen by a number of observers including Mr. F. C. Cook, Chairman of the Lowestoft Field Club.
In general appearance it was a conspicuously light-coloured wader, intermediate in size between a Redshank (Tringa totanus) and a Curlew-Sandpiper (Calidris testacea), with which birds it was momentarily in close company, grey (brownish not bluish) above and white below. The two dark streaks on the back converging slightly towards the tail, the bright yellow legs, and the dark, slender, upturned bill were very obvious characteristics. A small dark patch was clearly visible at the carpal joint of the folded wing. The neck and upper breast were slightly greyed. There was a small white stripe from the base of the bill to the eye. The base of the bill was rather lighter than the remainder but this could only be seen at close range. We did not see much of the bird in flight, but the fore-wing appeared rather dark and the secondaries to have white tips; but there was nothing like the contrast of a Redshank's wing. It "bobbed" in sandpiper fashion, but not so constantly as a Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos). It waded about the shallow pools often up to the belly feathers, and appeared to feed almost exclusively from the surface - once or twice only was the bill totally immersed. Normally it remained apart from other birds. It was once put up by a Redshank and once by a Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula).
On the evening of the 5th it appeared restless and called repeatedly, a note which I wrote as a sweet, quick "wee-wee-wee" (occasionally "wee-wee"), undoubtedly The Handbook's "du dti du".'
3). 1952 Cleveland/Co. Durham Cowpen Marsh, Durham, 27th September.
(P. Evans, British Birds 46: 188; G. W. Temperley, Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society 10: 126-127).
History P. Evans (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. p. 188, says: 'On September 27th, 1952, I saw a Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus) on Cowpen Marsh, Teesmouth, Co Durham. It was on the mud bordering; a flash behind the sea-wall originally with a substantial flock of Redshank (Tringa totanus) and Grey Plover (Squatarola squatarola), most of which flew off leaving it with three Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and two Grey Plover. It spent most of its time asleep with its bill completely buried in its scapulars, so I was able to take up a position some 35 yards away and to watch it for about three-quarters of an hour. Thus asleep it appeared to be the size of a Dunlin, but when alert, it was taller and more slender than that species with conspicuous white under-parts and long upturned bill. When moving, it hopped mainly on one leg, but later produced another and ran quickly along the shore. It never entered the water, as did the Dunlin, and only once did it "bob" as a Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) so frequently does. It once crouched low when alarmed. It was seen again on September 28th, some two hundred yards from its original position, on a small patch of mud in the same flash.
The following description was taken in the field: Upper-parts rather pale brown, slightly darker towards the tail, with some black marks noticeable when seen from behind. The folded wing was outlined in black as were the sides of the tail. There were light edgings to some feathers, but the general impression of the back and wings was one of a uniform light brown. Sides and back of neck, head, lighter and slightly mottled brown. Two narrow white stripes from just above and just below eye level from eye to base of bill. Under-parts conspicuously white except for a little brown flecking on the throat. Axillaries and most of under-wing white. In flight the hind portion of the wings was white, and the tail appeared wholly off-white. The bill was black, long and uptilted, while the legs were bright yellow orange. Call both in flight and when disturbed on the ground a disyllabic "quee-quee" with a suggestion of a Dunlin-like quaver.'
G. W. Temperley (1952) in the Transactions of the Northumberland, Durham & Newcastle-upon-Tyne Natural History Society, Vol. X. pp. 126-127, says: 'On September 27th and 28th, on Cowpen Marsh, Teesmouth, D., a single bird was seen. On the 27th it was under observation for about 45 minutes at c. 35 yds. range through a x35 telescope, so every distinguishing feature was clearly noted; particularly its very long up-tilted black bill and its bright orange-yellow legs.
On the 28th it was seen again for 10 minutes at 50 yds. It spent most of its time asleep, with bill completely tucked under scapulars. It did not wade in the water, as did the Dunlins beside it. When moving it usually hopped on one leg, but later ran quickly along the shore. It only once "bobbed" like a Common Sandpiper and once crouched when alarmed. When disturbed on the ground and in flight it uttered a disyllabic "quee-quee" with a suggestion of a Dunlin-like quaver. When asleep it appeared about the same size as the Dunlin beside it; but standing upright it was appreciably taller and more slender. (P.E.).
This is the first record for Co. Durham and only about the tenth for the British Isles.'
NOT PROVEN
0). 1912 Kent Brookland, male and female, obtained, 23rd May; male, obtained, 24th May; female, obtained, 25th May; photo.
(W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club 29: 118-119; T. Parkin, British Birds 6: 74-77; E. N. Bloomfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 43).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History W. R. Ogilvie-Grant, Editor (1912) in the Bulletin of the British Ornithologists' Club, Vol. XXIX. pp. 118-119, at the 178th Meeting of the Club held on 12th June 1912 at Pagani's Restaurant, London, says: 'Mr. Thomas Parkin exhibited a specimen of the Terek Sandpiper (Terekia cinerea, Güldenst.) which had been shot at Brookland, in Romney Marsh, Kent, on the 23rd of May, 1912. Mr. Parkin stated that the bird had been sent direct to Mr. G. Bristow, of St. Leonards-on-Sea, who at once brought it to him for identification. The bird, which proved to be a male, had evidently been killed with large shot; the head was somewhat smashed, the blood upon it being hardly dry. A female was also shot at the same time and place, another male on the 23rd, and a female on the 25th; the last three specimens had been examined in the flesh by Messrs. W. R. Butterfield and J. Harrison. These were believed to be the first recorded examples obtained in Great Britain.'
Thomas Parkin (1912) in British Birds, Vol. VI. p. 74, says: 'On May 23rd, 1912, two specimens of the Terek Sandpiper (Terekia cinerea), a male and a female, were obtained at Brookland, Romney Marsh, Kent. On the 24th another male, and on the 25th another female, were obtained at the same place. The birds were sent direct to Mr. G. Bristow (taxidermist) of Silchester Road, St. Leonards-on-Sea. One of the birds shot on the 23rd was at once brought to me for identification; it was in spring plumage, and had the appearance of having been killed only a few hours previously. The two obtained on the 24th and 25th were seen in the flesh by Messrs. J. Harrison and W. R. Butterfield. One of the birds killed on May 23rd was exhibited by me at the British Ornithologists' Club on June 12th last.'
Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.
0). 1915 Sussex Rye Harbour, three: male, shot, 26th May; male and female, shot, 28th May, all in the Booth Museum, Brighton.
(T. Parkin, British Birds 9: 69; W. Ruskin Butterfield, Hastings & East Sussex Naturalist 2: 201; Walpole-Bond, 1938).
[E. M. Nicholson & I. J. Ferguson-Lees, British Birds 55: 299-384 HR].
History Thomas Parkin (1915) in British Birds, Vol. IX. p. 69, says: 'Three Terek Sandpipers, one of which I saw in the flesh, were shot at Rye in the month of May, 1915, a male having been killed on May 26th, and a male and female on May 28th. These are the first obtained in Sussex. In 1912 I recorded in British Birds (Vol. VI. p. 74) the first specimens of this species obtained in Great Britain; they were shot on Romney Marsh, Kent, in the month of May.'
Walpole-Bond (1938 (3): 181) adds: 'All three are now in the Booth Museum, Brighton.'
Comment Hastings rarities. Not acceptable.
0). 1925 Dorset Christchurch Harbour, Hampshire, seen, 16th May.
(F. G. Penrose, British Birds 19: 53).
[Witherby et al., 1940-52].
History F. G. Penrose (1925) in British Birds, Vol. XIX. p. 53, under 'Probable Terek Sandpiper in Hampshire', says: 'There can be very little doubt, I think, that a bird which I saw in Christchurch Harbour on May 16th, 1925, was a Terek Sandpiper (Terekia cinerea). It was about a hundred yards distant from where I stood and was feeding near some Dunlins and Ringed Plover. If was distinctly larger than these, but not so large as a Redshank, shaped very like a Common Sandpiper except that it was longer on its legs, not dumpy like a Dunlin. In colour it was grey (like the winter plumage of a Knot) on the upper parts, neck and breast greyish, belly white; beak medium length, as long as a Dunlin's or longer, but with the end definitely turned upwards. My daughters and I all saw it and watched it for some time through binoculars.'
Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.
0). 1949 Dorset Sandbanks, five, seen, 12th December.
(K. B. Rooke, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 71: 160; Boys, 1973).
[BOU, 1971].
History K. B. Rooke (1950) in the Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society, Vol. LXXI. p. 160, in the Annual Report for 1949, placing the record in square-brackets, says: 'Mrs. H. Fox and K.M.G. saw five unusual waders, through binoculars at about 50 yards range, at Sandbanks, Poole Harbour, on Dec. 12th. Notes and sketches were not made at the time, but on returning home and consulting The Handbook they were "recognised at once as Terek Sandpipers", from the picture and description (K.M.G.). The following notes are abstracted from descriptions forwarded about ten days later. Distinguishing features: long upturned bill; back greyish brown; under parts white; shortish legs - colour not distinguished, owing to their wading; size - smaller than Redshank (H.F.). Bills, clearly seen, were very long, slender and upturned - and appeared dark; small heads; darkish above, white below; "standing next to them were two Redshanks and they were decidedly larger than the five unknown waders;" they were in shallow water, so leg colour not seen (K.M.G.). Further details (K.M.G. in litt., Jan. 30th): - bills looked absurdly outsized and so large at base - were very upturned and very long - giving the birds a comical appearance; definitely smaller than Redshank standing next to them; they were hunched-up and walked with necks tucked in; very busy feeding, but they did not move along much. Unless the impression of size was mistaken, they can only have been Tereks. Hopes that they might be wintering and that the record could be confirmed beyond all possible doubt were not realized - despite frequent search in the area, redoubled after another observer saw seven birds on Jan. 6th, 1950, which may have been the same. On the latter occasion, the estimate of the size was too uncertain to put the record beyond question. It is perfectly possible they may have frequented a part of the harbour inaccessible to observers (e.g. Brownsea), making only occasional visits to the Sandbanks area.'
The BOU (1971) stated the first record as occurring in 1951, however, Boys (1973: 28) says: 'Five at Sandbanks on 12th December, 1949, sounds a convincing record.'
Comment K.M.G. = Miss K. M. Gorringe. Misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1955 Yorkshire River Esk, Glaisdale, 15th September.
(R. Chislett, Naturalist 81: 63).
[R. Chislett, Naturalist 81: 63].
History R. Chislett (1956) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXXI. p. 63, recording the record in square brackets, says: 'Paul Walker on September 15th, on the Esk at Glaisdale, saw what he first thought was a rather grey Common Sandpiper to which he got near enough to see it had a long, up-curved bill. Without glasses further details could not be seen. (A. B. Walker).'
