Arriving at Castle Point later than usual this morning I was greeted by Helen who took great pleasure in showing me the first Purple Sandpiper of the winter, at roost on the wall.
A day later than last year, though in recent years 29th and 30th October have usually seen the first arrival. Much later than the 1990's when the date of the first bird back ranged from 6th to 30th September (plus the occasional August passage bird).