Broom East GPs

After a recce across to Broom East Gravel Pits the evening before, I discovered that a scope was essential here.  I discovered this as I couldn't really see anything across the scrape apart from the huge gathering of boisterous Greylags and a smattering of wildfowl.

It looks great, and previous records boast a tidy selection of scarce vagrants as well as a healthy list of migrant waders.

The water levels are low at the moment exposing a fair amount of mud - perfect for wading birds.

A first proper look at this south Bedfordshire site resulted in the continuing Pectoral Sandpiper, a great inland record and only my third for the UK.  A really well marked juvenile that flew in after being absent for most of the afternoon.

Other waders here included singles of Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, and Common Snipe.

Wildlife numbers were generally low, still early days but good variety led by an eclipse Garganey along with 32 Teal, two Wigeon, and three Little Grebe.