Wood Sandpipers are a very hard species to see in the Historic Isle of Purbeck. There are only five records for Studland of this species which prefers freshwater fields, rather than coastal mudflats. With little freshwater in the rest of the Isle of Purbeck, there is little suitable habitat. Around 2008 or 2009, a stream was partially dammed at Sunnyside Farm on the edge of Stoborough Heath and this created a nice freshwater area which has attracted the occasional Wood Sandpiper.
There are a few records from the pools on the RSPB Arne Moors. However, there is no public access to this area, which will also mean the best area in the Isle of Purbeck is under-recorded given it adjoins Swineham: where they occur just outside of the Isle of Purbeck border. As a result, Wood Sandpipers have remained a scarce & tricky species to see in the Isle of Purbeck. So, it was good to hear that local patch stalwart, Jol Mitchell, had found one at Sunnyside. A few others managed to beat my quick response to get to the viewing screen overlooking the flooded pools. It was a nice local social event, as well as, a chance to see my fourth Isle of Purbeck Wood Sandpiper.
