Red conservation status

Sound files

Listen

Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player.

Latin name

Calidris temminckii

Family

Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)

Overview

This tiny wader occurs mainly by freshwater marshes, pools and lakes in the UK, although it also visits creeks and lagoons in estuaries. It breeds mostly in the Arctic and is rare in this country. Two or three birds nest at a secret location in the Scottish Highlands, and fewer than 100 birds are seen on migration each year, largely in eastern England.

Where to see them

On passage most likely seen around freshwater pools and lakes.

When to see them

It passes through the UK between May and mid-June and again between the end of July and October; most birds are seen here in May.

What they eat

Insects and larvae, worms, crustaceans and molluscs.

Estimated numbers

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
85,000-420,000 pairs (including Russia)1-4 pairs-100 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

Key

In the UK
Scotland (breeding) and eastern England (passage)
In Europe
Northern Scandinavia (summer) and Mediterranean (winter)
Worldwide
Europe, Africa and Asia

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

Illustrations
Temminck's stint

Temminck's stint

Similar birds

Little stint (illustration)

Little stint

Dunlin in summer plumage (illustration)

Dunlin

Common sandpiper (illustration)

Common sandpiper

Help the Temminck's stint

We need to take urgent action to secure the future of this species. Become a member today and help us continue our vital conservation work.