BBRC DECISION; WESTERN SANDPIPER, MEOLS AND HOYLAKE 19TH-24TH SEPTEMBER 2012.

The Western Sandpiper present at Meols and Hoylake from 19th to 24th September 2012 has now been accepted by the BBRC. It is only the 9th record of Western Sandpiper

Western Sandpiper.  Meols.  September 2012.    Photo by Phil Woollen

for the U.K. and only the 1st for Cheshire and Wirral.

This extremely tricky individual caused a great deal of controversy at the time with experienced birders nationwide divided as to it's identification, many mistakenly believing it the be a Semi-palmated Sandpiper, hence the length of time taken to assess the submission.

The bird was found just off Hoylake shore by lighthouse stalwart, Allan Conlin on 19th September. Durung it's stay it was estimated the bird was seen by many thousand's of birders.

Congratulations are due to Allan for such a fantastic find and full credit must also be given to him for pursuing the correct identification throughout , despite the considerable controversy the bird caused.