The ninth occurrence of Hudsonian Whimbrel in the UK was discovered by local birder George Kinnard at Church Norton, located at the south-east corner of Pagham Harbour LNR in West Sussex, on Tuesday 9th June 2015. Details of the find can be viewed at Rob's Birding Blog. This transatlantic vagrant has only recently been split from Whimbrel & is the first twitchable bird since the split.
Departing from home early the following morning, I arrived on site mid-morning. Walking along the path from the car park to the harbour, a group of birders were to the right viewing the Hudsonian Whimbrel. However, before I could set up my 'scope it flew, only a short distance though, relocating to the mud bank beyond the hide. It remained on show for the whole time I was there, giving pretty good extended views, if a little distant.
This particular individual was quite distinct from the accompanying Whimbrel, with a striking head pattern, longer bill & generally more sandy/buff, the breast suffused buff rather than white. Apart from the initial flight views, the rump was only viewed when the bird flicked its wings a couple of times, displaying sandy/buff tail & rump.
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