The common sandpiper isn’t all that common a sighting at Falmer Pond. They show up occasionally in ones and twos, but they tend to be more at hope on larger expanses of water. The pond doesn’t offer much in the way of shallow wading, especially for such small birds. They are also quite timid, and will take off for the cover of low hanging bushes and trees as soon as they notice any movement.
As it happened it was raining heavily this morning, so I stayed put in the car which is how I got these shots. Cars make near-perfect hides, and the sandpiper came up right alongside, just beneath where I was parked at the edge of the pond.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.