Andy has pretty much covered it.

Calidrids (and anything that likes an edge) can get anywhere on Otterhampton. How settled they are usually depends on whether there are any raptors around. There was a Peregrine hunting when I was there and stuff was bombing around all over the place.

Tringas (particularly those that like to wade) perhaps show a preference for the southwest corner and are therefore more easily seen from the viewing screen on the south side. Seem to see Green and Wood Sands, Greenshank and Spot Reds more regularly here than on the north side.

However, things have changed a bit since the desilting and profiling work last summer, so this might not be as relevant.

Viewing platform on south side looks north, which means light can be better at certain times of day / year.

Matt, Paul might want to elaborate but I’d say most small waders on Otterhampton are seen from the main hides. It’s always worth checking from the south viewing platform though if you have the time and the energy as some regularly get squirrelled away down that end. The L Stint was from the main hides when I first saw it yesterday.

Hi Paul, is the viewing platform on the south of Otterhampton marshes generally the best for Little Stint/Curlew Sandpiper? I had a good look from the Quantock View Hide this afternoon but saw no small waders there.

I got the two Water Pipits (roughly in the same places) and also had a female Marsh Harrier over the main marsh.
There seemed to be a lot of Redshanks around on the marshes today, probably due to the high tide pushing them away from the River Parrett.

Little Stint - from viewing platform on south side of Otterhampton Marshes mid afternoon (found this morning by Andy Mears).

Spoonbill - 3 immature flew in to Otterhampton Marshes at 1430

Water Pipit - one on Steart Marshes saltmarsh just south of Steart Gate car park. Another in flooded field just east of Stockland Marshes hide.

Managed 83 species in the area on 1 January.

Highlights:

Brent Goose - 26 Light-bellied and 6 Dark-bellied seen from west end of Wall Common looking west to Catsford Common

Great Northern Diver - 1 off Wall Common at 09:50 briefly before flying west

Spoonbill - 1 on Fenning Island (two reported on Otterhampton on Birdguides)

Merlin - 1 hunting over saltmarsh from Breach Pool

Spotted Redshank - 6 together on Breach Pool

Green Sandpiper - 1 in ditch southwest corner of Otterhampton Marshes

Jack Snipe - 2

Mediterranean Gull - adult Combwich Reach at low tide

Water Pipit - 1+ moving between southeast corner of Wall Common and Steart Marshes to east

Redpoll - 1 east over Wall Common

Start of a thread for sightings in the Steart area, including Fenning Island, Otterhampton and Stockland Marshes, Steart Marshes and village, Wall Common and the adjacent shores of Bridgwater Bay and Parrett Estuary.

Here is a map of the area with labelled ‘compartments’.

These aren’t official names or boundaries but hopefully useful for anyone new to the area or to aid anyone giving directions.