Purple Sandpiper at Landguard

Time has not been my own for a while now but this morning I woke early and decided to run up the A12 to Landguard hoping I might find a migrant or two. Walking out onto the common I quickly picked up three Lesser Whitethroat and a Common Whitethroat. A large flock of Linnet and Goldfinch were busy feeding with a flock of House Sparrow and a Robin for company and among them a Tree Sparrow which I think is a first for Suffolk for me. Further along the common I found three Wheatears. A Whimbrel and three Oytercatchers flew over and Sandwich Terns dived in the harbour before I reached the pier and eventually found a Purple Sandpiper feeding. I watched the bird for over an hour and found it fascinating how the bird pays so little attention to the incoming tide where at times it would be completely covered by the waves but would stand its ground and carry on feeding as the waves dropped. The walk back gave views of Willow Warbler and Black Redstart but I failed to find the reported Pied Flycatcher.

Back home and a Wryneck reported on Chingford plain had me getting back in the car but a two hour search wasn't successful although the bird was refound as we drove home. We did see a Grasshopper Warbler found by Ian L. which gave the Jims a year tick. 

Year list now 224

The following morning saw me pick up Jim at 7am for another try for the Wryneck and I managed to refind the bird and get the half a dozen other birders onto it.

Year list now 225