Dorney Common regular Dave Cleal was checking out the flooded part of the common early afternoon on 21st July when he came across two waders which he initially thought were an adult and juvenile Dunlin. As usual these days he took some photos and sent them to a number of other birders. Adam Bassett, who was one of the recipients of the photos, decided that the non-adult bird looked very interesting and that a visit was needed! Once arriving on site it was soon confirmed as a White-rumped Sandpiper, which is the first record of this species in Buckinghamshire.
By the evening of the 21st July many local birders had seen the bird. At one time it flew over the grassy expanse of the common and landed. It was also seen to fly over nearby stream (the border with Berkshire) giving a few Berkshire birders a county tick!
The bird remained on site during the 22nd July allowing many more birders to twitch it. The Sandpiper remained until dusk and was thought to have flown off at this time.
This is the first record of this species in Buckinghamshire and is also a first for Berkshire when it flew over the border.