
We can go looking for wildlife almost whenever. The decision was when to head to the coast. The appearance of Buff-breasted Sandpiper sealed the deal. It was a new bird and new wader for us in Scotland and what an enjoyable time we spend with two of them. They are known to be unafraid but we still kept our distance watching them alternately feeding in the detritus around tide-swept sticks and logs and just loafing. It was a great privilege to see them. These are high Arctic breeders in Northern Canada where they favour dry and fairly bare patches. of tundra. Numbers have declined and they are now considered "Near threatened".