This afternoon I returned to Hayling Island to try for a second time to connect with the eclipse male Garganey at Sinah Gravel Pit [SZ6999-SZ7099].  However, before I headed to the southwest corner of the island I called in at the Oysterbeds to 'twitch' the recently reported juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper.  

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Hayling Island - Saturday 26 Sep 09

   The bird remained at the small, shallow pool [SU715023] located 400m South of the Oysterbed car park beside the Hayling Billy Coastal Path.  On my arrival the bird was no more than four metres away from the camera lens of a chap beside the near shore of the small pool.   Although there was only a barbed-wire fence that had some brambles growing through it between the path and the small pool the 'Pec Sand' appeared to be completely untroubled by the proximity of the small group of observers.  In contrast the Pectoral Sandpiper that Steve, Mark and I saw on 9 May 09 at Keyhaven Marshes remained on the far shore of Fishtail Lagoon amongst the vegetation and proved to be rather elusive. 

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Hayling Island - Saturday 26 Sep 09

Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper, Hayling Island - Saturday 26 Sep 09

   After a successful 'twitch' I returned to the car and set off for Sinah Gravel Pit where I found the eclipse Garganey feeding at the eastern end of the open body of water.  Despite facing in to the sun I managed to take a few record shots through my scope.  Unfortunately the photographs don't really show the facial markings. 

Eclipse male Garganey, Sinah Gravel Pit - Saturday 26 Sep 09

Eclipse male Garganey, Sinah Gravel Pit - Saturday 26 Sep 09

Good birding,

Tony T   BSc (Hons) Geosci (Open)