Sandpipers & Snipes in Cumbria

21 species matching this filter.

All birds in CumbriaView family page

Cumbria's diverse landscapes — from the Solway Firth's expansive mudflats to the upland bogs of the Lake District and the Morecambe Bay coastline — provide outstanding habitat for sandpipers and snipes. With 21 recorded species in this family, the county hosts notable breeders such as the Curlew, Common Snipe and Dunlin on its moorlands, while passage and wintering visitors including Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank frequent the estuaries and coastal marshes.

Little Stint
Little StintSmallest · 13cm
to
Curlew
CurlewLargest · 60cm
Ranges from the Little Stint (13cm) to the Curlew (60cm)11 year-round residents
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare but year-round visitor to Cumbria's estuaries, favouring the sandy shores and mudflats of Morecambe Bay and the Solway.

May–Mar

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

Present year-round in small numbers on Cumbrian estuaries and coastal wetlands. A declining species nationally, making local sightings notable.

Year-round

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon summer breeder along Lake District rivers and stony lakeshores, bobbing characteristically on waterside rocks from April to September.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident breeding on damp moorland and rushy pastures. Its drumming display flight is a feature of upland Cumbria in spring.

Year-round

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

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

A common resident whose evocative call defines Cumbria's moorlands and farmland. Winter flocks gather on Morecambe Bay and the Solway.

Year-round

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

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

A scarce autumn passage migrant, briefly visiting coastal mudflats and estuarine margins in September.

Sep

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

An uncommon resident; breeds on upland moors in summer and gathers in flocks on estuarine mudflats through winter.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to Cumbrian woodlands and damp fields in winter. Numbers bolstered by continental migrants during cold spells.

Nov–Mar

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

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Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

A rare visitor to freshwater margins and ditches, mainly on passage in spring and autumn. Often solitary and easily overlooked.

Mar–Oct

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

A rare non-breeding visitor to estuaries and lakeshores, most often seen during autumn passage on the Solway or inland wetlands.

Jul–Mar

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A secretive winter visitor to boggy marshes and wet meadows, rarely seen due to its cryptic habits. Most records from November to January.

Nov–Jan

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally appearing on coastal pools and muddy fringes in September.

Sep

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare passage visitor to rocky shores and harbour walls along the Cumbrian coast, recorded mainly in midwinter.

Jan

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Found in small numbers on Morecambe Bay and Solway mudflats, mainly outside summer. Large winter flocks are increasingly scarce nationally.

Jul–May

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

An uncommon resident found on saltmarshes, estuaries, and wet grasslands. Breeds on coastal and upland pastures across Cumbria.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

An uncommon resident of Cumbria's rocky coastlines, turning stones for invertebrates. Present most months except June on the Solway and west coast.

Jul–May

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare wader found on coastal estuaries and inland pools, mainly on autumn passage. Morecambe Bay fringes offer the best chances.

Jul–Mar

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

A rare but year-round visitor to sandy beaches along the Cumbrian coast, often seen in small flocks running along the tideline.

Year-round

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen on Cumbrian estuaries in August. Longer-legged and darker than common Redshank.

Aug

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

A rare breeder on Cumbrian uplands, with most sightings during spring and autumn passage along the coast and estuaries.

Apr–Sep

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

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare passage migrant through Cumbria in July and August, favouring freshwater pools and marshy edges on its southward journey.

Jul–Aug

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

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