ML647013564

Observation details

My first find for this species in Sussex. Adult-type on islands on Castle Water from Halpin Hide. Small stint, smaller than Little Ringed Plover with which it was loosely associating. Attenuated rear end, pale legs, and short, dark, decurved bill. Dark lores, slight supercillium and slight lower eye-ring but otherwise quite plain head. Solid brown breast contrasting with clean white belly. Earth brown upperparts with some dark-centred feathers with richer fringes admixed in scapulars. Slow and methodical movement. Flushed firstly by Common Magpie then by Eurasian Coot, showing clear white tail-sides in flight but not heard to call.

Additional species

• Eurasian Coot Fulica atra