The commonest small wader found along the coast. It has a slightly down-curved bill and a distinctive black belly patch in breeding plumage. It feeds in flocks in winter, sometimes numbering thousands, roosting on nearby fields, saltmarshes and shore when the tide is high.
Key ID Features
Winter adults are dull grey-brown with paler underparts and a streaked breast.
In summer the back is a much richer chestnut and black and the breast is more contrastingly white with fine dark streaks, above a large squarish black belly patch and dark legs.
Long, slightly down-curved dark bill.
In flight thin white wing bars and a dark, white sided tail are visible.
The contrasting upper and lower parts are most obvious when large flocks are wheeling in a shimmering display.
Juveniles have a distinctive 'v' on the back.
Overview
Scientific name: Calidris alpina
Family: Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Where to see them:
Breeds in the uplands of Scotland, Wales and England. Greatest numbers found on the Western and Northern Isles and the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland in Scotland, in the Pennines in England. Found on all UK estuaries with largest numbers in winter.
Seen in UK:
All year round on the coast. On breeding grounds from April to July.
What they eat
Insects, snails and worms.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Photographer: Tim Tapley
