Upland Sandpiper

Upland Sandpiper is possibly my favourite bird on the British list, so seeing this confiding bird stalk up and down the furrows of a bulb field was one of the highlights of a week on Scilly. It would often cross between rows with furtive glances at passing admirers, and whileit could disappearfrom view in the longer vegetation it would on occasion come very close. The daffodils were being harvested on the last day I went to look for it, and this may have encouraged it to move on after a long stay.

Only on Scilly...

...could you see and photograph Northern Waterthrush, Upland Sandpiper, two Olive-backed Pipits and a Wilson's Snipe in two hours car-free birding and still feel hard done by for missing a Scarlet Tanager. But that's how I spent the rest of our first day after my double-dip on the latter.

Northern Waterthrush at Lower Moors

Upland Sandpiper at Borough Farm

Olive-backed Pipit at Watermill

Wilson's Snipe at Lower Moors