Tilbury - Coalhouse Fort

The pager has been going off for a few days about the Sempalmated Sandpiper found by Paul Wood at the weekend and being busy with family commitments i was unable to go. However a quiet period at work today meant i potentially could be there from Brentwood fairly quickly subject to the relevant permissions from the other half.

Permissions granted and shortly after i was on the way; parking in the free fort car park, the directions i received were to head to the right of the fort and follow the pathway to the shore; you'll know you heading in the right direction if your heading to the water tower.

 For me, the bird was on the right of the tower viewable from the path. We were about 50-75 yards past it but it has been seen either side of the tower since being found at the weekend.

The first 10 minutes or so were spent trying to find the bird with a guy who was already on it shouting directions; the wind was strong and buffering the scopes making things even more difficult.

The best direction given for finding a Semipalmated Sandpiper on the Thames mudflats was...."its in a sort of puddle" along with "there its gone out of sight by that rock". Even his wife who was patiently waiting laughed at the puddle direction.

Once on it though you could get some decent views as it dashed this way and that in the mud. One of the guys there kindly advised he would email me some photos that i could use so all being well will put them up here soon.

A lifer for me but also present were two more lifers in the form of Little Stint & Curlew Sandpiper, so as you cam imagine i was really pleased with my short birding trip.

courtesy of wikipedia - Curlew Sandpiper

courtesy of wikipedia - Little Stint