Short-billed Dowitcher at RSPB Lodmoor, Dorset

This Short-billed Dowitcher was only the 2nd to have been recorded in Britain, although another bird turned up on the Scillies not long after this one to represent the 3rd ever, for Britain. Certainly this bird was well marked, with strong barring on the tertials and rufous tones around the breast were quite noticeable, and key features. One thing that struck me about this bird was how heavy its bill looked, especially at the base. Maybe, this was an effect given by the shorter bill length, but to my eyes it made the bird itself look a bit heavy. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to call into Slimbridge on the way home, but the Kidwelly Long-billed and the 2 at Chew, last year, to my mind seemed to be much lighter looking in build, especially abound the head, neck and bill. I took some video of this bird which is found on the link below.

Short-billed Dowitcher video - click here