Sandpipers & Snipes in Cornwall

23 species matching this filter.

All birds in CornwallView family page

Cornwall's extensive coastline, estuaries, and wetlands provide vital habitat for 23 species of sandpipers and snipes. From the mudflats of the Hayle Estuary and Camel Estuary to the sheltered coves along the south coast, birdwatchers can encounter a wonderful variety of waders including Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Curlew, and Common Snipe. The county's position on the south-western tip of Britain also makes it an important stopover for passage migrants such as Curlew Sandpiper and Greenshank.

Little Stint
Little StintSmallest · 13cm
to
Curlew
CurlewLargest · 60cm
Ranges from the Little Stint (13cm) to the Curlew (60cm)12 year-round residents
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

Frequents sandy estuaries such as the Camel and Hayle throughout the year, probing tidal flats with its distinctive upturned bill.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

Uncommon but present year-round, favouring estuarine mudflats at sites like the Hayle Estuary and Camel Estuary.

Year-round

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

Found along rocky streams, reservoirs, and sheltered estuaries almost year-round, bobbing characteristically at the water's edge.

Jul–May

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

Winters in wet meadows and marshes across Cornwall, arriving from August and lingering into spring before heading to upland breeding grounds.

Aug–Apr

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

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

A year-round resident of Cornish estuaries and farmland, its evocative bubbling call is a familiar sound on moorland and coastal marshes.

Year-round

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

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

A rare autumn passage migrant, typically seen on muddy estuary margins from August to October, often alongside Dunlin.

Aug–Oct

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

Present year-round on estuarine mudflats, numbers swell in winter when birds from northern breeding grounds arrive.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A secretive winter visitor to damp woodland and hedgerows, most likely encountered during cold snaps from October to February.

Oct–Feb

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

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Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

A scarce but regular visitor to freshwater pools and ditches, most often seen singly at sites like Marazion Marsh.

Jul–Apr

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon but regular wader on Cornish estuaries, present most months and often seen feeding on tidal creeks.

Jul–May

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

Grey Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicariusLC

A scarce autumn passage migrant, most often seen offshore or in harbours after Atlantic storms between August and November.

Aug–Nov

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A secretive autumn passage visitor to boggy fields and marshes in October and November, easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.

Oct–Nov

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A scarce autumn passage migrant in September and October, favouring muddy pool edges on estuaries and marshes.

Sep–Oct

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

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A scarce but almost annual autumn vagrant from North America, typically found on freshwater margins in September and October.

Sep–Oct

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare but regular winter visitor to rocky headlands and harbour walls, often overlooked among other waders.

Oct–May

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Scarce on Cornish shores outside winter, small numbers feed on sandy estuaries from autumn through to early spring.

Aug–Mar

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

Inhabits Cornish estuaries and saltmarshes year-round, its loud piping calls a familiar sound on tidal creeks.

Jun–Apr

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Present year-round on rocky shorelines and harbours, often seen flipping stones and seaweed to find invertebrates.

Year-round

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare passage migrant seen mainly in autumn, occasionally lingering on estuarine mudflats and flooded fields.

Apr–Oct

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

Found year-round on sandy beaches, often seen in small flocks racing along the tideline on Cornwall's north coast.

Year-round

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to sheltered estuaries, occasionally wintering at favoured sites like the Fal and Hayle estuaries.

Sep–Mar

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

Present year-round along Cornish estuaries and rocky shores, with numbers peaking during spring and autumn passage.

Year-round

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

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare autumn passage wader seen in August and September, favouring freshwater pools and marshy edges at coastal sites.

Aug–Sep

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

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