Scientific name: Tringa nebularia (Gunnerus, 1767)
Bird group: Waders
Field characters. 31 cm. Upperparts dull grey, spotted with brownish black; head, neck and chest white, richly speckled with brown-black (except for face); wing-coverts form dark brown shoulder mark; underparts, back, rump and tail white (tail barred with grey-brown). Legs green, bill horn-brown with greenish tinge, upturned and quite robust. Unmistakable through size, leg colouration and upturned bill. In winter basic pattern is retained, but overall colour pale grey; hence shoulder patch more conspicuous. In flight, pattern differs from congeners by lack of wing-bar and white "wedge" between dark wings (Marsh Sandpiper has similar pattern but feet protrude further and it is much smaller). Juvenile resembles winter adult but plumage has brownish tinge. Although general habits resemble Common Redshank's, will never raise wings on landing.
Voice. Song is a rapidly repeated melodious "tew-hoo"; the most common call is a ringing "tchu-tchu-tchu", more evenly spaced and less shrill than Common Redshank's.
Distribution. Common in breeding range; increasing as a winter visitor in Britain. In the rest of region a regular passage migrant. Non-breeders summer south up to Italy.
Habitat. Breeds on flat moorland and tundra with freshwater lakes; not often near coast. Outside breeding season, can be found in a variety of habitats, including inland freshwater bodies, but also on salt-marshes, estuaries, etc.
Food. All kinds of invertebrates and small aquatic vertebrates such as fish and amphibians; most of its prey obtained by pecking, sometimes whilst running with one or both wings upheld.