Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameLymnocryptes minimus FamilySandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae) OverviewSmaller than snipe with a shorter bill. It is a secretive bird and when approached it tends to crouch down, relying on its camouflaged plumage, only flying at the last minute. It will fly low and rapidly drop down again, unlike snipe which zig-zags and then flies off high. When feeding it has a characteristic 'bouncing' motion, as if on a spring. Where to see themIn winter, found in lowland wetland areas - the edges of reedbeds and shallow lagoons, fenland, flooded meadows, river edges and muddy ditches. When to see themBirds usually arrive in the UK between September and November, leaving again in February and March. What they eatInsects, worms and snails. Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | - | 10,000-100,000 birds | - |
* 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) |