Buff-breasted Sandpiper
Tryngites subruficollis (Vieillot, 1819) (14, 8)
Photo © Matthew Naylor, St Agnes, Isles of Scilly, October 2023
Ex BBRC species 31/12/1982
STATUS
Holarctic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
Migrates in small flocks of which several have been noted in Britain, both on spring and autumn passage. Has a liking for short-turf habitat like golf-courses.
The long time view that the 1826 individual from Cambridgeshire was the first for Britain, has subsequently been found unsafe due to its association with J. Baker (British Birds 54: 344-345). Perhaps the first two or three following records would not stand up to scrutiny of being the first.
RECORDS
1). 1829 Lancashire & North Merseyside River Alt, Formby, male, killed, May.
(Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Yarrell, 1871-85; Mitchell, 1892; Oakes, 1953; White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008).
History Yarrell (1845 (3): 58, 2nd ed.) says: 'For the knowledge of a third specimen, I am indebted to the Rev. T. Staniforth, of Bolton Rectory, Skipton, in whose collection the bird is now preserved. This gentleman very kindly at my request, sent me word that his example, which was a male, was killed at Formby on the banks of the River Alt, in May 1829, and was sent to Liverpool market for sale along with some Snipes.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds and accepted locally for Lancashire (Mitchell 1892: 230; Oakes 1953: 290).
White, McCarthy & Jones (2008: 145) who count it in their totals, say: 'Considerable doubt must be cast over this spring record, which in itself is extremely rare, and the lack of details.'
Comment There are a handful of spring records on the west coast to date.
2). 1832 Norfolk Sheringham, obtained, 29th July, now at Castle Museum, Norwich (Acc. No. NWHCM: 1832.55).
(Jenyns, 1835; MacGillivray, 1837-52; Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Stevenson, 1870; Seago, 1977; Dye, Fiszer & Allard, 2009).
History Jenyns (1835: 214) says: 'A second was killed at Sheringham in Norfolk, July 28, 1832. This last, proved to be a female, is in the Norwich Museum.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 58, 2nd ed.) says: 'After purchasing the 1826 skin off Mr. Baker, of Melbourn, for W. Yarrell, Mr. John Sims, who then a few years later had removed to Norwich, obtained a second example of this species, which was killed at Sheringham, Norfolk, which he preserved for the Museum at Norwich.'
Stevenson (1870 (2): 359) says: 'Amongst the British birds in that institution [Norwich Museum] (No. 240) this local rarity, although in a rather dilapidated condition, is still preserved, and according to an entry in the donation book of that date, it was killed at Sheringham, July 29th, 1832, and was presented by Mr. Arthur Upcher.'
Accepted locally as the first for Norfolk (Dye, Fiszer & Allard 2009) .
Comment As Mr. Sims was involved in the rejected 1826 Cambridgeshire record, perhaps this one is tainted as well.
However, there are a further seven records (1986-2010) from Norfolk that were found in July.
3). 1839 or 1840 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, obtained, autumn.
(Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Stevenson, 1870; Yarrell, 1871-85; Ticehurst, 1932; Seago, 1977; Allard, 1990).
History Yarrell (1845 (3): 58, 2nd ed.) says: 'A fourth specimen, shot at Yarmouth in the autumn of 1839 or 40, and now in the possession of T. C. Heysham at Carlisle, who did me the favour to send his bird to London that I might see it.'
Accepted locally (Stevenson 1870: 539).
Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, in a footnote, says: 'Mr. F. Bond informs the Editor that he cannot find any mention of that specimen in the Catalogue of the sale of the late Mr. Heysham's collection on the 11th May, 1859.'
Accepted locally for Suffolk (Ticehurst 1932: 355) but not later (Piotrowski 2003).
4). 1841 Norfolk Great Yarmouth, obtained, 22nd September.
(W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1843: 182; Eds., Annals & Magazine of Natural History 9: 79; Yarrell, 1845; Stevenson, 1870; Yarrell, 1871-85; Babington, 1884-86; Ticehurst, 1932; Seago, 1977; Allard, 1990).
History W. R. Fisher (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. p. 182, says: 'A specimen shot here [Great Yarmouth] 22nd September 1841.'
In an Editorial (1842) in the Annals & Magazine of Natural History, Vol. IX. p. 79, it says: 'J. H. Gurney, Esq., of Norwich, informs us that the following rare birds have come under his notice during the last six months: - A Blue-throated Redstart, in nearly full plumage, picked up dead on the beach at Yarmouth in October last. A specimen of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, shot near the same spot a few days afterwards.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 58, 2nd ed.) says: 'One since killed at Yarmouth in the autumn of 1841.'
Stevenson (1870 (2): 359) adds: 'Now in J. H. Gurney's collection.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Accepted locally for Suffolk who admits to having seen it (Babington 1884-86: 239; Ticehurst 1932) but not later (Piotrowski 2003).
5). 1843 Norfolk/Suffolk Breydon Water, obtained, 20th September, now at Castle Museum, Norwich.
(W. R. Fisher, Zoologist 1843: 363; Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Stevenson, 1870; Yarrell, 1871-85; Babington, 1884-86; Paterson, 1905; Seago, 1977; Allard, 1990; Piotrowski, 2003).
History W. R. Fisher (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. p. 363, says: 'I have much pleasure in making known to you the occurrence, near this place, of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper, a fine specimen of which was shot on the 20th instant on the mud-flats of Breydon. It answers so nearly in colour and markings to the specimen described by Yarrell (British Birds, II. p. 637), that a minute description of its plumage is hardly necessary. The feathers on the top of the head are dark brown, edged with a lighter tint; space around the eye a plain buff colour. The feathers on the back dark brown with light edges; the neck, throat and breast, buff colour tinged with brown; the under parts, thighs and flanks white, patched in places with buff. The under surface of the secondaries and of the inner web of the primaries, mottled in the way peculiar to the species. Legs and toes reddish brown. The bird had been observed for two or three days on the same piece of mud, in company with a Ruff and Greenshank, the latter of which birds was killed at the same time with it. The sex was unnoticed.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 58, 2nd ed.) says: 'One since killed at Yarmouth about the same time of the year [autumn] in 1843.'
Stevenson (1870 (2): 359) adds: 'Now in J. H. Gurney's collection.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Patterson (1905) says: 'Shot on Breydon mud flat in 1843, where it had been observed for two or three days in company with a Ruff Philomachus pugnax and a Greenshank Tringa nebularia, the latter being killed with it.'
Accepted locally for Suffolk who admits to having seen it (Babington 1884-86; Ticehurst 1932: 355; Piotrowski 2003) with the latter stating it as the first for Suffolk.
6). 1846 Cornwall Between Marazion and Penzance, first-year, shot, 3rd September.
(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1846: 1500; E. H. Rodd, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1: 87-88; Newman, 1866; Harting, 1880; Yarrell, 1871-85; Penhallurick, 1969).
History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1846) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. IV. p. 1500, dated 19th September, 1846, says: 'I am enabled to add the above rare Tringa to our Cornish fauna, by the capture of one on the sands between this place and Marazion on the 3rd inst. The bird was flying in company with Dunlins and Ring Plovers, and was killed with several of the above birds. The plumage of the bird seems to agree so entirely with Mr. Yarrell's specimen (which was obtained at the same time of year) that it would be unnecessarily filling your pages to enter into a full description of its plumage. The specific characters which distinguish this species from the other species of the family, are clearly defined in the under surface of the wings.'
E. H. Rodd (1846) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, 1st series, Vol. I. pp. 87-88, says: 'Since the report for the present year was prepared, I have had the gratification of obtaining a specimen of a very rare British bird, killed on the 3rd Sept., 1845, between Marazion and Penzance, in company with several species of the Tringa family, by Lady Carrington's house-steward, who has, from time to time, obtained several specimens of our rare sea-shore birds.
Three or four years since, when I was in London, Mr. Yarrell showed me the then only known British killed specimen, which was his property, and which is referred to in his History of British Birds as having been killed in the month of September, 1826.
Three others, however, have since come to his knowledge, and the Mount's-bay specimen forms the fifth example recorded. I have taken the liberty of exhibiting this valuable and interesting bird to the society, to enable them to see the peculiarities which distinguish it from other species of the Tringa family, to many of which it bears a general resemblance in the tints of its plumage.
The bird is preserved and exhibited in a flying attitude, to enable its peculiarities to be observed and recognized without difficulty. The characters above referred to are first, a general buff colour which pervades the whole of the under parts, and secondly, the peculiar markings of the under surface of the wings, which in the quill feathers are elegantly speckled with minute spots on the larger webs, and in the secondaries ending or tapering off abruptly to points bounded by alternate and regular borders of white and dark bands, and which present (especially in adult birds) a regular series of lines, giving an elegantly-variegated appearance, quite peculiar to this species.
The present specimen is an immature bird, and corresponds with Mr. Yarrell's in every particular.'
Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'On the 3rd September 1846 one was shot on the sands between Marazion and Penzance, while flying in company with Dunlins and Ring Plovers, several of which fell at the same discharge. In plumage it agreed entirely with Yarrell's description of a bird of this species shot at the same time of year.'
Further, p. 196, under 'Annual Summaries' presented to the Royal Institution of Cornwall, Rodd adds: 'During the present year, 1846, I have had the gratification of obtaining three very rare British birds, all in the neighbourhood of Penzance.
The first is the Buff-breasted Tringa (Tringa rufescens), which was killed on the 3rd of September, on the flat sands between Marazion and Penzance, in company with other species of Sandpipers. The value of this specimen may be estimated from the fact of being only the sixth procured in Great Britain. Three or four years since, when inspecting with Mr. Yarrell some of his rare British birds, he showed me the only British killed specimen then known, and which is referred to in his History of British Birds as having been killed at Melbourne [sic], Cambridgeshire, in the month of September 1826.
Four other specimens have been since recorded, three by himself, and another by Mr. Fisher, in The Zoologist for 1843.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
7). 1858 Devon Lundy, shot, autumn, now at Taunton Castle Museum.
(Harting, 1872; C. Smith, Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society 29: 20; Yarrell, 1871-85; D'Urban & Mathew, 1895; Moore, 1969).
History Harting (1872: 138) says: 'One, Lundy Island, 1858: in the possession of Dr. Woodforde of Taunton.'
C. Smith (1883) in the Proceedings of the Somerset Archaeological & Natural History Society, Vol. XXIX. p. 20, says: '...and there is in Dr. Woodforde's collection, now deposited in our Museum, a Buff-breasted Sandpiper killed on Lundy Island, and afterwards given by Mr. Heaven, in whose collection it was for a long time, to Dr. Woodforde.'
Howard Saunders (1882-84) in Yarrell's British Birds, 4th ed. Vol. III. p. 437, says: 'In the autumn of 1858 one was shot by Mr. Spencer Heaven at Lundy Island, in the Bristol Channel, and passed into the collection of Dr. Woodforde of Taunton.'
Accepted locally by Moore (1969: 146-147) who adds: '...it was shot by S. de B. Heaven in the autumn of 1858 and went to the Taunton Museum.'
8). 1860 Cornwall Chun Castle, Morvah, first-year, shot, 8th September.
(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1860: 7236; E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2272; Newman, 1866; Harting, 1880; Yarrell, 1871-85; Penhallurick, 1969).
History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1860) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XVIII. p. 7236, dated 26th September, 1860, says: 'On the 8th instant Mr. Vingoe, naturalist, of this place, discovered, on some high moor ground near a pool, a very good specimen of this little sandpiper in apparently the first year's plumage. It exactly resembles in every respect the specimen which I gave you notice of, which appeared in The Zoologist some years since. The specimen was killed, I think, on the sea-shore near this place. It therefore appears that it does not confine itself on the tidal estuaries, but affects moorland marshes.'
E. H. Rodd (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2272, says: '...the other specimen, in a similar state of plumage, was killed in the latter part of September, 1860, at the pool near Chun Castle, Morvah (see, Zoologist, 1860), by W. H. Vingoe.'
Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'On the 8th September 1860, another specimen of this bird was met with at a pool on some high moor ground near Chun Castle, Morvah, and was preserved by Mr. Vingoe. It was in very similar plumage to the one previously obtained.'
Further, p. 226, under 'Annual Summaries' read to the Royal Institution of Cornwall for 1860-61, Rodd adds: '...in the plumage of a bird of the year.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
9). 1870 Isles of Scilly Bryher, male, shot, early September.
(E. H. Rodd, Zoologist 1870: 2346; Harting, 1880; Yarrell, 1871-85; R. W. J. Smart, Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society 1888: 171; J. Clark & F. R. Rodd Zoologist 1906: 340; Penhallurick, 1969).
History E. H. Rodd of Penzance (1870) in The Zoologist, 2nd series, Vol. V. p. 2346, under 'Buff-breasted Sandpiper at Scilly', dated 5th September, 1870, says: 'A fine male specimen of this beautiful stint was shot on the margin of a pool at St. [sic] Bryher's, one of the inhabited islands at Scilly, last week, and is now set up by Mr. Vingoe with expanded wings, showing the elegant markings and powdered specks peculiar to this species.'
Harting, Editor (1880) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'The last I have to notice was shot on the margin of a pool at St. Bryher's, one of the inhabited islands at Scilly, in September 1870.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 436-437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds.
Rev. R. W. J. Smart (1888) in the Transactions of the Penzance Natural History Society, new series, Vol. II. p. 171, says: 'Was obtained on Bryher in September, 1870 by Mr. A. Pechell.'
J. Clark & F. R. Rodd (1906) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. X. p. 340, under 'The Birds of Scilly', say: 'A solitary example of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper was shot by Pechell beside the fresh-water pool on the west of Bryher on Sept. 16th, 1870.'
Comment I believe that early September is the correct date or even late August.
10). 1876 Cumbria Burgh Marsh, Carlisle, shot, September, now at Tullie House Museum, Carlisle.
(Macpherson, 1892; E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 127; Hutcheson, 1986).
History Macpherson (1892: 392) says: 'The comparatively short distance at which Burgh marsh is situated from Carlisle has long rendered it a favourite shooting ground for such of our working men as happen to possess a taste for rough shooting.
In September 1876, a man named John Dawson was shooting on this marsh near the monument of Edward I, when he fell in with a small Sandpiper which proved to belong to this species. He pinioned it by his first shot, and was therefore able to secure it almost undamaged. It was skinned and mounted by his brother George Dawson the shoemaker, in whose possession it has remained ever since. Mr. Hill of Carlisle saw it skinned.'
Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 127, adds: '...now in Carlisle Museum.' It was accepted locally (Hutcheson 1986).
11). 1899 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, immature male, shot, 7th September.
(E. C. Arnold, Zoologist 1899: 475-476; J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1900: 110; H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst, British Birds 2: 269; Pashley, 1925; Seago, 1977; Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling, 1999; Stoddart & Joyner, 2005).
History E. C. Arnold of Winchester (1899) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. III. pp. 475-476, says: '...On Sept. 7th I shot an immature Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites rufescens) near the same spot [between Wells and Cromer]. It appeared a dull sandy colour as it rose, and the flight was slow. It was a fine day, with north-west wind following forty-eight hours of a wet south-easter. It proved to be a male, and there were some green-coated beetles in the stomach. It was later examined by J. H. Gurney at Norwich. I believe this sandpiper has not occurred in Norfolk for fifty-six years.'
J. H. Gurney, jun., of Norwich (1900) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. IV. p. 110, says: 'September 8th. A beautiful young male Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites rufescens), shot on shingle at Cley by Mr. Arnold. Its nicely mottled upper parts are very different from the dark back of our old Museum specimen, said to have been shot in July, a few miles east of where the present one was procured. The species has a more rounded head than most of its kin, which feature was well shown in Mr. Arnold's freshly mounted example, and also the distinctive freckles under the wing. Mr. Cordeaux, does not include this American species in his List, but it has been shot five times in Norfolk. Whether the present example came with a west, or an east wind, seems doubtful.'
Arnold (1907: 8) says: 'After doing the saltings with thoroughness, it is a good plan to return home along the edge of the sea, for, though shingle will never provide so many shots as mud, the very first-rate shore birds are most often found on it, or by the side of brackish pools not actually in the marsh. It was in Norfolk, on a strip of most uninviting shingle, frequented only by the Common Tern, that I once came across that rare American visitant the Buff-breasted Sandpiper.
On September 8th, 1899, I was crossing this shingle on my way from the estuary to the bar, when a strange Wader, which had presumably been testing the efficacy of protective coloration, got up almost beneath my feet and slowly flapped along the beach. Its sandy colour suggested an autumn Dotterel as it rose, so I fired and knocked it over. As I drew near I thought I had bagged a Reeve, but in the hand it was at once distinguishable by the beautiful marble-like tracery on the under wing. It was my first really rare Wader, and I shall never forget my sensations.
The wind at the time was north-west, and the weather fine; but we had had a wet south-east wind for the preceding forty-eight hours.'
Admitted by H. F. Witherby & N. F. Ticehurst (1909) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 269, under 'On the More Important Additions to our Knowledge of British Birds since 1899'.
Locally, Pashley (1925) says: '1899. September 8th. A Buff-breasted Sandpiper taken by Mr. [E. C.] Arnold.' Gantlett (1995) and Taylor, Seago, Allard & Dorling (1999) erroneously state the date as the 7th (Stoddart and Joyner 2005).
Comment Preserved by H. N. Pashley of Cley, Norfolk. One can understand the mix-up with the date of its demise.
12). 1906 Lincolnshire North Cotes, shot, 20th September.
(J. H. Gurney, jun., Zoologist 1907: 135; G. H. Caton Haigh, British Birds 2: 241; F. L. Blathwayt, Zoologist 1912: 63; Smith & Cornwallis, 1955; Lorand & Atkin, 1989).
History J. H. Gurney, jun., of Keswick Hall, Norwich (1907) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XI. p. 135, says: 'September 20th. In North Lincolnshire a Buff-breasted Sandpiper was shot by Mr. Caton Haigh.'
G. H. Caton Haigh (1908) in British Birds, Vol. II. p. 241, says: 'Though somewhat late to do so, it may be as well to place on record the occurrence of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tringites rufescens) in Lincolnshire. I shot an example of this American species on the foreshore at North Cotes on September 20th, 1906. The bird singularly resembled a Reeve both in appearance and flight, and but for its small size I should have paid little attention to it. It was by no means shy, and allowed me to approach it within thirty yards on the open saltings. This is, I believe, the first appearance of this species in the county.'
F. L. Blathwayt (1912) in The Zoologist, 4th series, Vol. XVI. p. 63, under 'Additions to Lincolnshire', says: 'One shot at North Cotes, September 20th, 1906 (G.H.C.H.).'
13). 1934 Sussex Rye Harbour, adult male, obtained, 21st August.
(J. M. Harrison, British Birds 28: 148; R. Whitlock, South-Eastern Bird Report 1934: 69; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979).
History James M. Harrison (1934) in British Birds, Vol. XXVIII. p. 148, says: 'On August 21st, 1934, an example of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) was obtained at Rye Harbour. The bird was a single one and was feeding on one of the numerous small mud patches on the saltings. It was conspicuously sandy coloured. On dissection the bird proved to be a male. It was in fat condition and is apparently adult, as the cranial vault is evenly ossified. Identification in the flesh was confirmed by Dr. Arnold McMillan of New Romney. The specimen, which has a wing of 133.5 mm., is now in my collection.'
Accepted locally (Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 176).
14). 1943 Kent Near Deal, 1st August.
(Harrison, 1953; Taylor, Davenport & Flegg, 1981).
History Harrison (1953 (1): 388) states that Mr. T. C. Gregory informs me (in litt., 17.viii.1949, 19.ix.1950) that he saw a Buff-breasted Sandpiper with a mixed party of waders, Ruffs and Reeves, Common and Green Sandpipers on a small marsh near Deal, on 1st August 1943. Gregory assures me he had good views and saw the specific character of the darkish marking on the under wing over the carpal joints, so that there is little reasonable doubt as to its identity.
Taylor, Davenport & Flegg (1981) say: 'The only record for Kent up to 1976 is the one near Deal on 1st August 1943.'
1950-57 RECORDS
15). 1952 Northamptonshire Northampton Sewage-farm, 18th to 25th September.
(R. Felton, Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society 1952: 213; H. G. Alexander, British Birds 46: 215-216; Taylor MS., 1959).
History R. Felton (1952) in the Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society, Vol. XXXII. p. 213, says: 'A bird was reported to the Recorder seen at E.S.F., Sept. 19th by H. G. Alexander. It was then seen on Sept. 20th by E.F. at 12.00 noon on Sept 21st, the bird was seen feeding on the ground in company with Dunlin, Curlew Sandpiper and Ringed Plover. The bird stayed for six days.'
H. G. Alexander (1953) in British Birds, Vol. XLVI. pp. 215-216, says: 'At about 2 p.m. on September 18th, 1952, at Northampton sewage farm, I noticed among several Ringed Plovers (Charadrius hiaticula) and two Little Stints (Calidris minuta) feeding on a waterlogged ploughed field a bird which I took at first to be a Reeve (Philomachus pugnax). However, I realised that it was much too small for a Reeve, and then I began to see other characters that did not fit with this identification. I watched the bird at a range of about 20 yards for five or ten minutes before it disappeared.
Before consulting any reference book I noted down the following description: "Size as Curlew Sandpiper or slightly smaller (it joined two Curlew Sandpipers (C. testacea) while I watched it). Bill straight, narrow, black. Eye dark. Legs (not seen well), dull brown, certainly not black. Whole head, breast and sides uniform buff; no markings on face. Back and scapulars pale brown with black centres (spotting as marked as in Ruff, but spottings smaller). Upper tail-coverts and tail (once seen in short flight of one foot), dark. Sides of tail (?under tail-coverts) whitish or pale buff".
I came to the conclusion that I had been watching a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis). Of the illustrations which I subsequently consulted, the one which looked most like the bird I saw was the plate by Keulemans (bird on ground) in Dresser's Birds of Europe. This shows the bird in the "squatting" position said to be characteristic of it, and which was adopted for most of the time my bird was under observation; at my very first sight of it the bird was "at full stretch". The plate in The Handbook had two discrepant features, the long legs and the dark markings before and behind the eye.
A number of observers saw the bird on September 21st. A. R. Blake and C. Lambourne watched it continuously by relays for over three hours on that day. They noted it as a small, rather long-legged, slim wader between Dunlin (C. alpina) and Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos) in size, looking more like a Ruff at a distance than at close quarters. They found the rounded head noticeable, though this was a point that had specifically failed to strike me. Plumage points that they specially noticed were: white axillaries and patch in the centre of the under-wing noted when the bird stretched its wings upwards; rest of under-wing grey. No wing-bar when wing outstretched or in flight. Whole upper tail area brown in flight - no white patches or margins at all. Face, throat and breast warm buff, paling to buffish white on under tail-coverts. Legs, longer than Dunlin and a deep, bright yellow. R. S. R. Fitter, who was present at the same time, writes: "I found it one of the most distinctive small waders I have ever seen. In the bright sunshine the buff head and breast shone like a little yellow beacon....The markedly small head, longish neck and shortish bill were noticeable characters....It looked more like a Reeve in flight than at rest".
On the same date it was also seen by R. H. Baillie who recognised it as a bird he had seen, but not identified, on September 17th. The bird was not reported after September 25th. The field notes of Ian Cumberpatch, A. R. Mead-Briggs, Miss C. K. James and A. J. B. Thompson also confirm the above descriptions, which leave no doubt that it was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, the twentieth certain occurrence in the British Isles, and the first for any inland county since the first British specimen in Cambridgeshire in September, 1826.
A. J. B. Thompson was the only observer who heard any call-note, which he described as "quite unlike that of any of the waders I know, but I cannot exactly identify it with the notes described in The Handbook; it may be the 'prr-r-eet' mentioned there. When I flushed the bird it flew close to me and called four times as it mounted, a single note, rather quiet, rather creaking, slightly reminiscent of the call of a Snipe (Capella gallinago), but softer and shorter. I wrote it down as 'feezk' or 'wheesk', the 'ee' sound being nasal or creaky.'
Accepted locally (Taylor MS. 1959).
Comment E.S.F. is the Ecton Sewage-farm.
16). 1953 Cambridgeshire/Northamptonshire Peterborough Sewage-farm, Huntingdonshire, 6th to 7th October.
(R. Felton, Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society 1953: 245; A. E. Vine, British Birds 47: 309-310; R. K. Cornwallis, British Birds 47: 427).
History R. Felton (1953) in the Journal of the Northants. Natural History Society p. 245, says: 'One bird seen flying over the County from Peterborough S.F. Details in Cambridge Bird Club Journal, I.C.T. Nisbet.'
A. E. Vine (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. pp. 309-310, says: 'On October 6th, 1953, at Peterborough sewage farm, Cambridgeshire, I observed a fairly small, light-brown wader on a number of occasions during the space of about 40 minutes, and from the short description of its important points which I was able to make at the time I was satisfied that it was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tringytes subruficollis); I was able to confirm this, and also to obtain a full description, during the 3½ hours in which I was at the farm on the 7th. Just after I had left Messrs. M. J. M. Larkin, W. A. M. Mitchell and I. C. T. Nisbet saw the bird and fully agreed with this identification. It could not be found on the 9th or 11th.
Its size it was slightly larger than a Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula) and general appearance were that of a small Reeve (Philomachus pugnax), and in flight it could also be compared with a small Golden Plover (C. apricarius). Its head was noticeably large and rounded in flight, this appearance being probably aided by the neck being drawn in, but on the ground this was less so, and when the neck was stretched up in suspicion the head appeared comparatively small, but still rounded. Its proportions were otherwise those of a typical wader, the bird appearing at times rather plump (with the head drawn in) and at others quite graceful, while in flight its wings were long and powerful, being much like those of a Ringed Plover. The general colour was buffish. The whole of the face (other than slightly darker patches before and behind the eye), sides of neck and breast back to the mid-belly were rich buff, but the rear part of the belly, the under-tail coverts and the flanks were much lighter in colour, being a very pale buff. The feathers of the upper-parts were dark brown, edged buff, generally similar to those of a Reeve, but, by comparison with that species, M.J.M.L. and I.T.C.N. considered that they gave a rather more "scalloped" as opposed to "chequered" effect. This plumage extended along the nape and top of head, while the feathers of the centre region of the rump were black, edged buff; this rather dark centre to the rump, with lighter sides, on an otherwise uniformly mottled upper surface seemed a most valuable field-character. It called but little, and generally as it was rising. I found difficulty in separating its call from that of the Dunlin (Calidris alpina), as it was weak and not easy to describe, though I attempted it as "trou" or "ezeep" with rather a husky Snipe-like character. M.J.M.L. and I.T.C.N. heard it call once, a rather low, quiet, but hard, "quek".
When feeding, which it did in a slightly crouched posture, it had a very characteristic action of quick, active picking, almost as active as a phalarope (Phalaropus sp.) twisting sharply to pick behind it, and turning back as quickly to pick on the other side. Its movements otherwise were always active, although it did not necessarily run a great deal. Its flight was strong and powerful.
This is the twenty-first or twenty-second record for the British Isles, and the second for Cambridgeshire, the first British example being shot in the south of the county in September, 1826; as the bird was seen to fly over the county boundary on several occasions it would also count as the second for Northamptonshire. [We have been sent an extremely full description of this bird, including a copy of the field-notes made by Messrs. I. C. T. Nisbet and M. J. M. Larkin. The account published here has had to be reduced to the essentials, but the full notes will remain in our files. - Eds.]
17). 1953 Greater London/Surrey Perry Oaks Sewage-farm, Middlesex, 18th October to 3rd November.
(B. A. Richards & L. Baker, British Birds 47: 310-311; R. K. Cornwallis, British Birds 47: 427; London Natural History Society, 1957; Wheatley, 2007).
History B. A. Richards & L. Baker (1954) in British Birds, Vol. XLVII. pp. 310-311, say: 'At 9.30 a.m., on October 18th, 1953, at Perry Oaks sewage farm, Stanwell, Middlesex, we watched a small wader that was associating with a party of five Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and a Sanderling (Crocethia alba).
A series of good views were had as the bird fed on the mud, and also when it made short flights. Our field notes were as follows: "In size a trifle larger than Dunlin, legs slightly longer; general appearance like a very small Reeve (Philomachus pugnax). Head rounded, bill short, straight and black giving a plover-like impression in silhouette; eye dark, no eye-stripe face, throat and breast rich buff shading on the belly to paler greyish-buff. Under tail lighter whitish-buff, certainly not pure white Legs appeared dark, but probably mud-covered as bird was often feeding on very soft surface In flight wings were pointed, upper surface showing no marked colour, contrast, no wing bar, primaries only slightly darker than rest of wing. Under surface dingy grey with some scattered dark marks. No calls heard".
From this description we concluded that the bird was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis), though the legs showed no orange colour. This is the first Middlesex record for the species which, in recent years, has been reported from Northampton sewage farm (antea, Vol. XLVI. p. 215), and as a "probable" from Lancashire (antea, Vol. XLV. p. 332).'
[This bird was seen subsequently by many observers, including W.B.A. and P.A.D.H., and very full reports on it were sent to us by Messrs. John Shepperd and C. J. Cadbury, as well as by Mr. I. C. T. Nisbet who also saw the bird at Peterborough (see above) and who thought that different individuals were involved. The Buff-breasted Sandpiper was last seen at Perry Oaks on November 3rd, 1953, by Mr. A. H. Daukes. - Eds.]
Accepted locally (London Natural History Society 1957) and for Surrey (Wheatley 2007).
18). 1954 Yorkshire Easington, 6th to 7th September.
(R. Chislett, Naturalist 80: 80; J. K. Fenton, British Birds 48: 328-329; Chislett, 1958; Mather, 1986).
History R. Chislett (1955) in the new series of The Naturalist, Vol. LXXX. p. 80, says: 'On September 6th, north of Kilnsea, a Sandpiper associating with Ringed Plovers and Dunlins drew the attentions of J. K. Fenton, Miss A. E. Leach, and S. Martin by its short bill, rounded head, and pinkish-buff head, neck and underparts. The bird was seen later by W. F. Fearnley, H. J. Williamson and Mrs. O. M. Pennock. "What drew our attention each time we saw it", writes W.F.F., "was not so much its plumage, but its habit of walking about in a much more erect attitude than the Dunlins and Ruffs (mixed party of adults and juveniles) which were often near it".
When other waders fed in mud this bird preferred the grassy areas, and seemed to pick something off the plants. The back and wings had a mottled appearance with dark and light tones of brown and fawn. The underwing was only glimpsed and is described as "dirty white" and "pale cream almost white". There was no wing-bar, nor any white on the tail of which the central feathers were rather darker than the rest. The legs were yellowish. The bird was watched again on the 7th. The observers have no doubt that their diagnosis is correct. This North American species was new to Yorkshire but has occurred previously in a number of other counties.'
J. K. Fenton (1955) in British Birds, Vol. XLVIII. pp. 328-329, says: 'At about 1000 hours on 6th September 1954 Miss Audrey P. Leach and myself, accompanied by Stephen Martin, saw a fairly small, buff and brown wader feeding near the Spurn Bird Observatory, Yorkshire, in the same area in which the Stilt Sandpiper (Micropalama himantopus) had been feeding a few days earlier (antea, pp. 18-20). We watched the bird 1½ hours on this occasion during which time it was feeding and flew only once. Excellent views were obtained and approach to 20 yards was possible, the bird looking more like a small plover than a sandpiper.
On our return to the Observatory Messrs. W. F. Fearnley and H. S. Williamson and Mrs. O. M. Pennock were told of the find but not given details. They were able to trace the bird and make their own observations, whereupon subsequent comparison of field-notes confirmed the original observers' impression that the bird was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis).
This record is the first for Yorkshire and the 24th for Britain, and coincides with other records of N. American waders.
When first seen the bird was in fairly close company with Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula), but it was noted that, as a result of its different feeding-habits, it kept slightly apart from them. The graceful stepping gait as it picked its way through small areas of waterlogged grass was noticeable and also the avoidance of deeper water and stretches of mud. Whilst feeding it appeared to pick small insects off the grass and when attempting to catch them would sometimes turn very quickly to do so. It walked with an erect but not stiff carriage, the comparatively long, slender neck and small, round head then being apparent. In size it was slightly larger than the Dunlin and Ringed Plover with which it associated, and later, when near a mixed party of adult and juvenile Ruffs (Philomachus pugnax), it was clearly smaller than the smallest Reeve. The face, neck, breast and under-parts as far as the legs were a rich buff, the rest of the under-parts being a paler shade of buff becoming progressively paler towards the under tail-coverts, which were a pale cream. The back and wings gave a mottled appearance with dark and light tones of brown and fawn, the mantle, back and scapulars appearing lighter than those of Ruff, which species it resembled. In flight, which was strong and swift, the underwing was only glimpsed on three occasions, and appeared dirty white. There was no wing-bar, nor any white on the tail, the central feathers of which appeared rather darker than the rest. The bill was short, straight and dark; the legs were yellow; and the eyes appeared to be dark. The bird was watched during the following morning, 7th September, and early afternoon, but could not be found later.'
[This record has already appeared in the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union Ornithological Report for 1954 (The Naturalist, No. 853, p. 80). - Eds.]
Accepted locally (Chislett 1958; Mather 1986).
19). 1955 Sussex The Midrips, 17th September to 2nd October.
(G. des Forges & D. D. Harber, Sussex Bird Report 1955: 13; J. F. Naylor, British Birds 52: 312; Shrubb, 1979).
History G. des Forges & D. D. Harber (1955) in the Sussex Bird Report, p. 13, say: 'One at the Midrips was seen on September 17th by R.H.C. and I.J.F.L. and subsequently by many observers up to October 2nd....The third report for the county.'
J. F. Naylor (1959) in British Birds, Vol. LII. p. 312, says: 'A Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis) remained at the Midrips, Sussex, from 17th September to 2nd October 1955 (see Sussex Bird Report, 1955, p. 13). While watching it on 24th September 1955, I saw it perform what seemed a most remarkable feat. It was very tame, but when approached too closely it would stop feeding and stretch its head and neck upwards - a characteristic action of this species which has been commented on by many observers. Then, however, it would move its body and lower neck forward while keeping its head where it was; having completed a step, it would bring its head back to the normal position. There was absolutely no forward movement of the head until the body had stopped, as could be seen by "fixing" the head in relation to some object in the background. I also observed this action when watching another Buff-breasted Sandpiper on Ushant, France, on 24th September 1957, although here it was less exaggerated.'
[This would seem to be another example of head-stabilization, akin to the case of the Stone Curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) settling on its eggs (antea, p. 20). - Eds.]
Comment Locality is in Sussex (Sussex Bird Report 1953: 5). Observers were R. H. Charlwood, I. J. Ferguson-Lees et al.
20). 1955 Lancashire & North Merseyside Ribble Marshes, 25th September.
(K. G. Spencer, Lancashire Bird Report 1949-59: 56; Spencer, 1973).
History Accepted locally with just the bare facts (Spencer (1973).
21). 1955 Dorset Ferrybridge, first-winter, 28th September to 11th October, trapped, 9th October.
(M. D. Crosby, British Birds 49: 151-152; K. B. Rooke, Proceedings of the Dorset Natural History and Antiquarian Society 77: 66; Prendergast & Boys, 1983).
History M. D. Crosby (1956) in British Birds, Vol. XLIX. pp. 151-152, says: 'On 28th September 1955, whilst watching waders on the muddy sand of The Fleet, Portland, Dorset, I saw a wader whose silhouette I did not recognize. It was about the same size as the Ringed Plovers (Charadrius hiaticula) and Dunlins (Calidris alpina) in the area; but at a distance of about one hundred yards its short pointed bill, like a Little Stint's (C. minuta), its upright stance, and rather long legs were noticeable.
Under ideal conditions it was soon possible to take a detailed field-description, from which I was able, on consulting The Handbook, to identify the bird as a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis). The bird was last seen on 11th October, by which date it had been watched by many observers including K. B. Rooke, J. F. Monk, Bruce Campbell, W. B. Alexander, J. C. Follett and J. S. Ash. It was trapped and ringed by the last-named observer on 9th October, when it was decided that the bird was in first-winter plumage: there was a single adult feather in the mantle with a broader rufous margin.
The following is a brief summary of the copious plumage and field-characters recorded by various observers: Crown, mantle, back and scapulars: reminiscent of Ruff (Philomachus pugnax) in autumn plumage; dark centres to warm brown feathers, those of mantle and back having fairly broad buff edges, producing a rather scale-like appearance. Sides of head: buffish, with a pinkish tinge, rather darker than under-parts. Under-parts: uniform pale buff, tinged pinkish, faintly streaked or speckled with brown on sides of upper breast; belly, flanks, and under tail-coverts creamy-buff, definitely not white. Under-wing: mostly white, except darkish patch at carpal joint, and apparently bordered blackish. Tail: no white anywhere; in flight upper tail-coverts not distinct from rump and back. Bill: about equal to length of head; dark, straight, slender and finely pointed; stint-like. Legs : longer than Dunlin's, yellow; "knees" usually rather bent when feeding. Iris: dark and "beady". General: about size of Dunlin, with more slender body and longer legs; an elegant bird with a small plover-like head on a long neck, and with Ruff-like plumage; the wing-tips projected about half an inch beyond the tail.
Most of its food was obtained by pecking amongst Suaeda Atriplex, and grasses, in which it spent most of its time. Against such a background of vegetation it was most difficult to see. Call note: flight note recorded as a distinctive "chwup" or "chüüp"; when anxious on the ground, a sharp repeated "wit", "weet", or "wick".
In the laboratory its wing (straight) was 130 mm., in length and its weight, 62.0 gm. (18.00 hours G.M.T.).
On 2nd October J.S.A. noted on one occasion, when the bird was closely surrounded by several observers, an interesting form of displacement activity. The bird slowly raised each wing alternately, stretching it fully, and trembling it as it inclined the body sideways.'
Accepted locally (Prendergast & Boys 1983).
22). 1957 Clyde Hamilton, Lanarkshire, 27th to 30th October.
(L. A. Urquhart, British Birds 51: 193-194; M. F. M. Meiklejohn, Scottish Birds 1: 65; E. V. Baxter, Scottish Birds 1: 117).
History L. A. Urquhart (1958) in British Birds, Vol. LI. pp. 193-194, says: 'On 27th October 1957, near Hamilton, Lanarkshire, I saw a small wader consorting with Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and Snipe (Capella gallinago), which I subsequently identified as a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis). It was at the muddy verge of a pool where the ground had been trampled by cattle, and I watched it for half-an-hour, first from 80 yards and eventually down to about 40 yards' range.
About the size of a Snipe, it was hunched and plump-looking, uniform pinkish-buff on face, throat, breast and belly. Its head was small and rounded, and the bill slender, black and tapered. (With the head in certain positions I found this taper gave the bill a distinct, if erroneous, appearance of being decurved.) The eye was dark and there was no eye-stripe. Mantle and back had a "scaly" pattern very like that of a Reeve (Philomachus pugnax), with dark-centred feathers edged pinkish-buff. The crown was dark; I did not see the leg colour. When feeding, the bird maintained its crouching, hunched position, with legs bent. It was obliging enough once to stretch its wings up, showing much white on the underwing, broken by darker markings towards the tip.
Mainly, however, it was not inclined to activity, and stood for a long period practically immobile. Eventually it squatted on the ground beside two Snipe. I then went forward and put it up to check on the wing pattern - but, beyond confirming that it lacked the white tail-patches of a Reeve, I failed to note anything distinctive before the bird swung away in strong flight, gaining height and presenting only an end-on view, rapidly receding. It uttered no sound during the period I had it under observation; and it was not seen in particularly good light, the day being dull and stormy.
On 28th October Prof. M. F. M. Meiklejohn saw the bird and confirmed the identification. In addition to the main diagnostic points given above, he was able to see the legs in good light, and they were yellow. He made out the paler elliptical mark on the upper surface of the wing, but it was "not at all a noticeable feature", and he only discerned it on flushing the bird for the third time, when he was especially looking for it. The rump he noted as black. When the bird was feeding, he described it as progressing "with a sort of stealthy walk".
On 29th October Mr. W. Kenneth Richmond observed the bird "in poorish light and only briefly, but well enough to be satisfied with the correctness of the identification". He found it in the company of a Dunlin, compared with which it was slightly bigger, "noticeably upright in carriage, round-headed" and, to his eye, "rather Dotterel-like". In flight he marked the rump as "nondescript, and all of a piece with the rest of the upper-parts". One or two other observers had glimpses of the bird, but it was not seen again after 30th October (31st October and 1st November were stormy). Most of those who saw it were surprised at the bird's shyness, since it is described in The Handbook as being "usually extremely tame". This is the first record of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper for Scotland.'
M. F. M. Meiklejohn (1958) in Scottish Birds, Vol. I. p. 65, under 'Report on Birds of the Clyde Area 1957-1958', admits this record, as does E. V. Baxter (1958) in Scottish Birds, Vol. I. p. 117, under 'Review of Ornithological Changes in Scotland in 1958', subtitled 'Birds New to Scotland'.
NOT PROVEN
0). 1826 Cambridgeshire Near Melbourn, shot, early September.
(Anon., Zoological Journal 3: 302; W. Yarrell, Transactions of the Linnean Society 16: 109-113, plate II; Eyton, 1828; Selby, 1833; Jenyns, 1835; Eyton, 1836; Yarrell, 1845; Newman, 1866; Harting, 1880; Seebohm, 1883-85; Lack, 1934; Bircham, 1989).
[I. C. T. Nisbet, British Birds 54: 344-345].
History In an Editorial (1827) in the Zoological Journal, Vol. III. p. 302, at the Zoological Club of the Linnean Society meeting, they say: 'December 12. A distinct species of Tringa was also exhibited, which had been killed in Cambridgeshire, in September last, and was considered by Mr. Yarrell to be entirely new as a British bird, and included by Temminck in his Manuel des Oiseaux d'Europe. It was believed to be identical with the Tringa roussatre, Vieill., which that naturalist has chosen for the type of his genus Tringa under the name of Tringa rufescens. A more particular account of this prettily marked bird was promised. The Prince of Musignano informed the meeting, that the bird under examination very closely resembled a species recently described by him, under the name of Tringa pectoralis.'
William Yarrell (1828) in the Transactions of the Linnean Society, Vol. XVI. pp. 109-113, read 17th June, 1828, says: 'Such are the characters and references which M. Vieillot points out as distinguishing the bird he has chosen for his type of the genus Tringa, a species found in Louisiana, and a specimen of which I have now the pleasure to record as a British bird. This interesting and prettily marked Tringa was shot early in the month of September 1826, in the parish of Melbourne [sic] in Cambridgeshire, in company with Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus); and passed immediately afterwards into the possession of Mr. Baker of Melbourne [sic], by whom the skin was preserved, and off whom it was purchased for me.
An additional interest attaches to this specimen, since knowing it to be new to this country; I am besides authorised to add the testimony of Mons. Temminck - to whom, during his recent visit to London, I exhibited the example now figured - that this bird is entirely new to Europe.
I have therefore ventured to place a notice of it before the Linnean Society, and add the following description. The beak is slender and very slightly curved, three-fourths of an inch in length, and black; from the point to the gape it measures one inch, and from the gape to the occiput is also one inch: the feathers on the top of the head are dark brown, approaching to black, each feather edged with very light brown, giving a mottled appearance; the back of the neck light brown, the dark spots formed by the centre of each feather minute; the back very dark brown, the extreme edges only of the feathers light brown; the wing-coverts brown, and intermediate in appearance between the light brown feathers of the neck and those of the back; the primaries nearly black, tipped with white; the shafts white; the tertials brown, edged with light brown; tail coverts brown, with light-coloured borders: the tail cuneiform, the centre feathers black, the shafts and edges lighter; the feathers on each side light brown, enclosed by a zone of black, and edged with white. The chin, sides of neck, throat and breast, light brown tinged with buff; abdomen, flanks and under tail-coverts white, but pervaded also with the buff colour of the higher parts; the sides of the neck spotted, from the dark centres of the feathers occupying a larger surface than upon the front; the anterior portion of the under surface of the wing rufous brown; the outer portion spotted, the under wing-coverts pure white. The shafts of the primaries on their under surface pearl white, the outer web dusky, the inner web also dusky, and plain on the part nearest the shaft, the other inner half of the web beautifully mottled with dark specks; the secondary wing-feathers also mottled at their bases, and ending in sabre-shaped points, presenting a regular series of lines formed by alternating shades of white, black, and dusky bands, which in the adult bird are well defined, and present a beautifully variegated appearance, peculiar to this species. The legs are bare for half an inch above the joint; the tarsus one inch and one quarter in length; the middle toe ⅞ ths of an inch; the whole of these parts brown; the nails black: the whole length of the bird eight inches....The plumage and the state of ossification of the tarsi prove this specimen to be a young bird of the year; but whether bred in the marshes of the county in which it was killed, or, having wandered from America to the northern part of our island, had accompanied the Dotterel in their southern autumnal visit to the chalk district of Cambridgeshire, can only be conjectured.'
Selby (1833 (2): 142-143) says: 'This elegant Tringa now inserted in the list of the British Fauna as a rare visitant, was first described by Mr. Yarrell in the 16th volume of the Transactions of the Linnean Society, as a species new to Europe, upon the authority of a specimen shot in the month of September 1826, in the parish of Melbourne [sic] in Cambridgeshire, being in company with some of the Common Dotterel (Charadrius morinellus).
This individual soon after passed into Mr. Yarrell's possession, and now enriches his valuable cabinet of British birds; and it is to the kind and liberal attention of this eminent naturalist, in offering me the free use of his collection, that I am enabled to give a correct delineation of this, as well as of other rare British birds....The specimen in Mr. Yarrell's collection, from the plumage, and state of ossification of the tarsi, is supposed by him to be the young of the year.'
Jenyns (1835: 214) says: 'A single individual of this species, which is a native of Louisiana in America, was shot early in September 1826, in the parish of Melbourne [sic] in Cambridgeshire, in company with some Dotterel. It is now in the possession of Mr. Yarrell.'
Eyton (1836: 39) says: 'We are indebted to the kindness of Mr. Yarrell, for being enabled to present our readers with the above cut, his specimen having been lent to us for that purpose. It was shot, early in the month of September 1826, near Melbourn, in Cambridgeshire, in company with some Dotterel, and passed immediately afterwards into the possession of Mr. Baker, of Melbourn, by whom the skin was preserved, and from whom it was purchased for Mr. Yarrell.'
Yarrell (1845 (3): 57-58, 2nd ed.) says: 'I had the gratification of obtaining the specimen of the interesting and prettily marked Sandpiper, from which the figure above was taken, in the autumn of 1826, when at Royston; and soon afterwards made it known as a new visitor to England and Europe in the Transactions of the Linnean Society. This bird was shot early in the month of September 1826, in the parish of Melbourn, in Cambridgeshire, in company with some Dotterel Charadrius morinellus, and passed immediately afterwards into the possession of Mr. Baker of Melbourn, by whom the skin was preserved, and of whom it was purchased by John Sims for me.'
Harting, Editor (1880: 196) in Rodd's Birds of Cornwall, says: 'Three or four years since, when inspecting with Mr. Yarrell some of his rare British birds, he showed me the only British killed specimen then known, and which is referred to in his History of British Birds as having been killed at Melbourne [sic], Cambridgeshire, in the month of September 1826.'
Admitted as the first for Britain (Seebohm 1884 (3): 226).
Accepted locally (Lack 1934). However, I. C. T. Nisbet (1961) in British Birds, Vol. LIV. p. 345, says: 'Baker was described as "a reliable naturalist" by Lack (1934), but many other specimens with British labels which he sold to the [British] museum are highly improbable, and in the absence of independent evidence it seems best to regard them all as doubtful.'
Comment J. Baker was described by Lack (1934) as "a reliable naturalist" but many of the British labelled birds sold to the British Museum were doubtful (British Birds 54: 344-345). Probably imported. Not acceptable.
0). 1835 Caithness Wick, obtained, undated.
(New Statistical Account; Shearer & Osborne, 1862; Gray, 1871; Yarrell, 1871-85).
[Thom, 1986].
History Gray (1871: 319) says: 'A specimen of this rare British bird is mentioned in a catalogue of species found in Caithness, by the late Mr. Sinclair of Wick, and published in the statistical account of that parish in 1835. This specimen is still preserved in the collection which belonged to Mr. Sinclair, and has of late years been referred to by Mr. Shearer, in a paper which was published on the proceedings of the Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh.'
Admitted by Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, but not for Scotland (Thom 1986).
0). 1843 Sussex Coastal locality, obtained, undated.
(F. Bond, Zoologist 1843: 148; Borrer, 1891; Walpole-Bond, 1938; Shrubb, 1979; James, 1996).
[KAN].
History Frederick Bond (1843) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. I. p. 148, dated 28th March, says: 'A specimen of each of these [Buff-breasted Sandpiper and Wilson's Petrel], obtained on the Sussex coast, have lately come into my possession.'
Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 436, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. F. Bond has recorded (Zool., p. 148) the occurrence of one upon the Sussex coast in 1843; it was much injured, badly preserved, and eventually had to be thrown away, but Mr. Bond kept the characteristic wings.'
Accepted locally (Borrer 1891; Walpole-Bond 1938 (3): 176; James 1996), but the two former authors thought the details very scanty and didn't have a lot of faith in the record.
Comment Perhaps this record should be rejected as presumable it came from the same source [Mr. Whiteley of Rye] as the Wilson's Storm-petrel, which has since been rejected. Whiteley was not trusted by J. H. Gurney, jnr.
0). 1851 Devon River Exe, obtained, August.
(D'Urban, 1863; Yarrell, 1871-85; D'Urban & Mathew, 1895).
[Moore, 1969].
History Howard Saunders (1882-84 (3): 437, 4th ed.) in Yarrell's British Birds, says: 'Mr. D'Urban states (Guide to Exeter, p. 122) that one was killed on the Exe in August, 1851.'
D'Urban & Mathew (1895: 342-343, 2nd ed.) add: 'In August 1851 a bird, supposed by the late Mr. F. W. L. Ross to belong to this species, was shot on the Exe, and was often seen by us in his possession after it had been set up, with its wings raised so as to show the under wing-coverts: but when his collection was handed over to the Albert Memorial Museum in 1865, this bird was not forthcoming - at any rate there was no specimen of the Buff-breasted Sandpiper in the collection. It is unfortunate that this specimen should have disappeared, as it is possible it was incorrectly identified, and it has been recorded on our authority in Harting's Handbook of British Birds, p. 138, and in Yarrell's British Birds, 4th ed. III. p. 437.'
Comment D'Urban & Mathew used the words "supposed to be of this species" placing no faith in the record. Not acceptable.
0). 1857 Devon Near Kingsbridge, female, shot, September.
(H. Nicholls, Zoologist 1857: 5791; Pidsley, 1891).
[Harting, 1872].
History H. Nicholls of Kingsbridge (1857) in The Zoologist, 1st series, Vol. XV. p. 5791, dated 15th September, 1857, says: 'I have received from a friend of mine a female specimen of Buff-breasted Sandpiper, which he has just shot. The bird agrees with Yarrell's and Eyton's descriptions, except in its being about half an inch longer. Its being a female might perhaps account for its greater length.'
Harting (1872: 138) in a footnote, adds: 'Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., informs me that a specimen recorded in The Zoologist 1857, p. 5791, as a Buff-breasted Sandpiper, was, he believes, a young Ruff Philomachus pugnax.'
Pidsley (1891: 151) says: 'Mr. H. Nicholls records that a female specimen of this North American bird was shot near Kingsbridge, in September, 1857.'
Comment Misidentified. Not acceptable.
0). 1862 North-east Scotland Ythan Estuary, Aberdeenshire, shot, mid-August.
(Sim, 1903).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History Sim (1903: 175) says: 'This species is represented by a single specimen in the possession of Mr. J. Wilson, Methlick, who informs me by letter: "I killed it myself, second week of August, 1862, near the mouth of the Ythan".'
Not accepted nationally for Scotland (Forrester & Andrews et al. 2007).
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. Not acceptable.
0). Pre 1868 Oxfordshire Near Bampton, undated.
(Morris, 1863-67).
[KAN].
History Morris (1863-67 (6): 40, reissue) says: 'One, of which Stephen Stone, Esq., of Brighthampton, has informed me, was met with on some low land through which the Isis flows, near Bampton, in Oxfordshire.'
Comment Not known to have been seen by a competent authority. No supporting details. Not acceptable.
0). 1892 Cumbria Skinburness, seen, 17th September.
(E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 127).
[E. Blezard, Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society 6: 127].
History Ernest Blezard (1943) in the Transactions of the Carlisle Natural History Society, Vol. VI. p. 127, says: 'A possible second occurrence on the Cumberland Solway is entered in the notes of William Nichol. He describes the bird as resembling a small Reeve, and he saw it in company with two Curlew Sandpipers, at Skinburness, on 17 September 1892.'
Comment Not specifically identified. Not acceptable.
0). 1908 Devon Braunton, shot, undated.
(Moore, 1969).
[Moore, 1969].
History Moore (1969: 147) says: 'The Ilfracombe Fauna & Flora contains the record of a bird, identified as this species, which was shot at Braunton by Major H. C. Chichester in 1908, but this record, cannot now be regarded as authentic.'
0). 1943 Isles of Scilly No locality, seen, 12th September.
(Penhallurick, 1969).
[Robinson, 2003].
History Penhallurick (1969: 144) says: '1943, one on Scilly on 12th September.'
Robinson (2003) says: 'Unfortunately even though T. A. Dorrien-Smith later used this name in his list of 'Birds of Scilly as recorded at Tresco Abbey' (T. A. Dorrien-Smith 1951), it remains unclear exactly which species was being referred to in relation to the 1943 record, mainly because other entries in the earlier local literature referred to one or other Dowitcher Limnodromus species under the old name of "Red-breasted Snipe". Nonetheless, caution seems advisable in relation to this record, particularly as an unidentified Dowitcher, or Red-breasted Snipe was shot on 17th September 1943 (Nisbet 1961).'
Comment There is no mention of this species in British Birds 38: 358 when three different American wader species occurred on Scilly. Misrecorded. Not acceptable.
0). 1950 Lancashire & North Merseyside River Ribble, 19th to 27th August.
(N. Harwood, British Birds 45: 332; Spencer, 1973; White, McCarthy & Jones, 2008).
[BBRC].
History N. Harwood (1952) in British Birds, Vol. XLV. p. 332, under 'Probable Buff-breasted Sandpiper in Lancashire', says: 'On August 19th, 1950, I visited the sewage farm which is situated on one bank of the tidal portion of the Ribble, on the Preston side of Freckleton. Here I found a conspicuous yellowish bird feeding with Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula). I estimated its size to be about that of a Reeve (Philomachus pugnax).
My binocular was x 10 but, at 25 yards, I could see, without this, that the bird was a stranger to me. It had dark brown upper parts, criss-crossed with buff; thin pointed black bill; round head; dark brown crown; almost pure yellow cheeks, throat, neck and upper breast, with no white whatever here and no eye-stripe. The only white which I observed was on the under-wing and rear under-parts. I had some difficulty with the colour of the legs which were dull, rather than bright, and I wrote them down as "greenish-brown".
It fed on the mud during the half-hour that I had it in view and it avoided the narrow strips of water by using its wings to leap over them. In spite of the fact that The Handbook's illustration shows bright yellow legs and no white on the rear under-parts, the rest of the observations indicate that the bird was a Buff-breasted Sandpiper (Tryngites subruficollis).' [It may be pointed out that though the legs are shown as light yellow in The Handbook plate, they are described as "dull orange" in the text, and considerable variation has been shown to occur in the leg-colour of other waders such as American Pectoral Sandpiper.
Furthermore, Forbush (Birds of Massachusetts) describes the under-parts as "passing into buffy-white on abdomen, flanks and under tail-coverts", and the accompanying illustration by Fuertes shows a wholly white vent. Mr. Harwood has stated in litt. that he noted this area as "whitish" in the field. We feel, nevertheless, that in the case of a bird so rare in Britain, and now scarce even in its normal range, confirmatory evidence of another observer is required.
Unfortunately, the bird did not remain long enough to enable Mr. Harwood to obtain such confirmation. - Eds.]
Spencer (1973) didn't list this record, however, White, McCarthy & Jones (2008) who state: 'It was found by Nelson Harwood...and was seen by several observers...it is perhaps time for the brackets to come off and for this to be accepted as the first for Lancashire; they also state that it stayed to the 27th August.'
0). 1956 At sea North Atlantic, weather ship India, 59º N., 19º W., killed by a cat, 21st September.
(I. McLean & K. Williamson, British Birds 51: 154-155).
[Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007].
History I. McLean & K. Williamson (1958) in British Birds, Vol. LI. pp. 154-155, under 'Waders at Ocean Ships in 1956', say: 'During 1956 the first-named author was at sea for long periods as a member of the scientific staff of the Marine Section of the Meteorological Office (Air Ministry). Many observations were made on the occurrence of migratory birds in the vicinity of the stations occupied by the Weather Ships, and a full record of these has been lodged with the Editor of the Marine Observer. There were two outstanding periods of Passerine movement, one at station India in late September...The stations concerned are as follows: Alpha, latitude 62°00'N., longitude 33°00'W.; India, latitude 59°00'N., longitude 19°00'W.; and Juliett, latitude 52°30'N., longitude 20°W.
This North American vagrant was first seen at 10.00 hours on 21st September at India and was slain by the ship's cat in the afternoon. It was a rather long-legged wader and seemed plump as it stood with head "hunched" on shoulders, and the carriage and pose were very plover-like.
The following description was made from the body, which was not preserved: Upper-parts: Crown feathers dark brown edged buff; nape buff spotted dark brown; mantle and back blackish-brown edged white; upper tail-coverts dark brown edged buff; ear-coverts, cheeks and sides of neck buff. Wings: Primaries blackish-brown narrowly edged white, inner webs white with dark brown speckling; secondaries similar; greater coverts dark brown speckled black and tipped buff; median coverts grey brown edged buff and tipped white, with "Y"-shaped dark markings; lesser coverts blackish-brown edged buff; primary coverts dark brown tipped white. Underparts: Chin, throat, breast and upper belly buff shading to white tinged with buff on lower belly and under tail-coverts; chin paler than throat; sides of breast with dark brown spots; axillaries and under wing-coverts white, the underside of the wing-coverts banded and speckled with black; coverts along the leading-edge buff spotted dark brown. Tail: Blackish-brown, narrowly edged white; outer feathers banded and speckled dark brown and tipped white. Bill: Dark brown, fairly short and plover-like. Legs: Greenish-yellow. The measurements were: wing 138 mm., tail 56.5 mm., tarsus 31.5 mm., bill (from feathers) 20 mm. The wing-formula gave first primary minute and second longest, with the third to the sixth shorter by 2.5, 9.5, 19 and 28 mm. respectively. The body was not sexed, but there is a size difference between the sexes and the wing-length is at the upper limit of the range given for males by Witherby et al. (1940). The mantle and other plumage characters suggest a first-year bird.
A vast low-pressure system covered the North Atlantic at this time, one centre of which had swept down from Labrador (with fronts crossing the Gulf of St. Lawrence) during the 18th-19th and had moved to the south of Cape Farewell by the 20th, so that there was a generally westerly airstream across the ocean to the vicinity of station India (Fig. 3).'
Comment Although marginally inside British waters at nearly the 200 mile mark, and on informing the Scottish Birds Records Committee of the record, they chose not to publish it in Birds of Scotland (2007).
