Marsh Sandpiper

30 April 2026

Ythan Estuary - The Snub

Today, we woke up at 5:00AM, to try find the Marsh Sandpiper that has regularly seen from the Snub and Waulkmill Hide on the Ythan. Once we arrived, spotting the bird was very easy. Within 20 seconds of arriving, I spotted a paler, smaller, and more energetic bird, the Marsh Sandpiper, in amongst a small group of Redshanks on the close bank. They were moving quite quickly upstream, so we got some record shots before it moved on.

Terrible record shot of the Marsh Sandpiper

(centre-back)

My photo from 2025 of a 1w Marsh Sandpiper

at Mussleburgh, Lothian

I then also noticed a large flock of Pink-footed Geese, in a field opposite the lay-by. I was scanning for the Bean Goose, that was being seen on and off for the past week at this site. Unfortunately, with the sun's golden light, all the geese seemed to have orange-tinted feet, which wasn't helpful in finding a Bean Goose, to say the least. I did however, spot a couple White-fronted Geese, probably a Eurasian ssp, from Russia, from others' sightings recently.

White-fronted Goose, in amongst PF Geese

As I was scanning, we were treated to the sound of Yellowhammers, and some very distant singing Cuckoos.

Yellowhammer Song

(click to open in Macaulay Library)

On the river, I did see my first Whimbrel in Britain this year, doing its characteristic 8-note whistle. There were also a couple Gadwalls, which were somehow still year ticks(?!), and a pair of Teal. In a final scan of the goose flock, I saw about 10 Barnacle Geese, some just over the brow of the hill.