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Latin name

Tringa ochropus

Family

Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)

Overview

A very contrasting wader which looks like a large house martin in flight. Its dark, almost black upperparts, pale underparts and white rump are distinctive. It frequently bobs up and down when standing. It often appears nervous and will fly off with a low zig-zagging flight when disturbed.

Where to see them

Largely confined to England and Wales. Look for migrant birds near almost any freshwater margins - marshes, lakes, gravel pits and rivers. In winter it likes sewage works, watercress beds and freshwater marshes.

When to see them

Seen in the UK most between July and March.

What they eat

Insects

Estimated numbers

* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.

Distribution

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100)

1 illustration

Green sandpiper

Similar birds

Common sandpiper

Wood sandpiper