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Latin name

Tringa glareola

Family

Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)

Overview

The wood sandpiper is a medium-sized wading bird, with a fine straight bill, yellowish legs and a conspicuous long white stripe from the bill over the eye to the back of the neck. In flight, it shows no wing-stripes and a square white rump. A passage migrant in spring and autumn, breeding in Northern Europe and wintering in Africa; a few pairs breed in the Scottish Highlands. The flooding of some previously drained traditional marshes in Scotland may help this species in future.

Where to see them

Passage birds most commonly appear in southern and eastern England - a good place to look for them in spring and autumn is at RSPB coastal reserves in these areas.

When to see them

Late April to September

What they eat

Insects, worms, spiders, shellfish and small fish.

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

Wood sandpiper

Similar birds

Green sandpiper

Common sandpiper