Sandpipers & Snipes in Berkshire

12 species matching this filter.

All birds in BerkshireView family page

Berkshire's river valleys, gravel pits, and wetland reserves provide valuable habitat for a variety of sandpipers and snipes, with 12 species recorded across the county. Notable species include the Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, and Green Sandpiper, which can be spotted at key sites such as the Theale Gravel Pits, Dinton Pastures, and the Thames floodplain. The secretive Eurasian Woodcock and Jack Snipe also winter in the county's damp woodlands and marshes, rewarding patient observers.

Little Stint
Little StintSmallest · 13cm
to
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed GodwitLargest · 44cm
Ranges from the Little Stint (13cm) to the Black-tailed Godwit (44cm)3 year-round residents
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare passage migrant through Berkshire, occasionally stopping at gravel pits and reservoirs between July and September.

Jul–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon breeding visitor favouring stony riverbanks and reservoir edges. Bobs its tail constantly while foraging along the waterline.

Apr–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Common Snipe

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

Found in wet meadows and marshy edges of gravel pits, most conspicuous in winter when numbers increase. Absent during the peak summer months.

Jul–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Dunlin

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

A rare visitor to Berkshire's muddy reservoir margins and gravel pits, mainly on passage from late summer into autumn.

May–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Eurasian Woodcock

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A rare and secretive breeding bird in Berkshire's damp woodlands. Winter visitors from the continent may boost numbers.

Jan–Jul

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

Found along Berkshire's watercress beds, streams and gravel pits almost year-round. Bobs distinctively when disturbed.

Jun–Apr

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Greenshank

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

A rare passage migrant, occasionally seen at Berkshire's reservoirs and gravel pits in May and again in late summer.

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Jack Snipe

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A scarce autumn and winter passage visitor to boggy margins of gravel pits and water meadows. Easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.

Oct–Dec

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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Little Stint

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare autumn passage wader, occasionally stopping at gravel pit scrapes in September and October. Tiny size aids identification.

Sep–Oct

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Redshank

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

A rare breeding bird in Berkshire, found at a few wet grassland and gravel pit sites from March to August. Numbers are declining.

Mar–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Ruff

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare passage visitor to Berkshire's gravel pits and reservoirs, mainly in late summer and autumn. Favours shallow muddy pools.

Aug–Dec

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare passage migrant in July and August, pausing briefly at muddy scrapes and gravel pit margins on southward migration.

Jul–Aug

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

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