Broad-billed Sandpiper, Breydon Water

Finally got a chance to visit Breydon Water this afternoon, a Broad-billed Sandpiper has been present for around a week and I do like a good Sandpiper. Now, before I continue suffice to say there may indeed be 2 birds present, which may account for the confusion on site.
On encountering James not far from the rugby club carpark, we followed the shore and began scanning the small flocks of Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Another birder and myself locked onto the bird, and we obtained satisfactory views- Broad-billed Sand, looked nice, Norfolk/Suffolk border, British lifer.
The bird then proved rather elusive, and another group that arrived struggled to obtain views of any sort for a while. We did happen upon another wader, interesting looking beastie it was too. Pale underneath- couldn't make out any streaking. Less rufous on top, drooping bill, stunted tail, relatively long-legged. This could of course been the 'other' Broad-billed, but other birds thrown into the mix were Dunlin and Sanderling?! A couple of bright looking Dunlin were present, Articola perhaps (not Icelandica, they don't exist, all my reading up on Dunlin was a waste of time!).
Bit-part views, I headed back to the car-park, scanning as I went. Another chap in a cool hat had beaten me to it, the Broad-billed was now much closer and I enjoyed great views of a lovely bird. Get in!

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Notes from the valley

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