A smallish wader with contrasting brown upperparts and white underparts. It habitually bobs up and down, known as 'teetering', and has a distinctive flight with stiff, bowed wings. Its presence is often betayed by its three-note call which it gives as it flies off.
Key ID Features
A small to medium sized wader with a usually horizontal, crouched posture, frequently seen with an exaggerated bobbing motion on greenish legs.
It has a distinctive white shoulder gap in its brown, mottled upper parts which contrast markedly with the pure white underparts.
White wing bars are evident when in flight which is usually low over water with a combination of quick wing beats interspersed with fleeting glides.
Overview
Scientific name: Actitis hypoleucos
Family: Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Where to see them:
In summer is breeds along fast rivers and by lakes, lochs and reservoirs in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the north of England. In winter it may be seen along the south coast, and on spring and autumn passage it can be found elsewhere in the UK, near any freshwater areas and on some estuaries.
Seen in UK:
Summer visitors arrive in March and April and leave the breeding grounds in July and August, with the young following in September. Autumn passage birds are seen from July to September and wintering birds can be seen from October onwards..
What they eat
Insects.
Text (c) RSPB, used with permission
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Location: Northumberland
Photographer: Tim Tapley
