Sandpipers & Snipes in Devon

21 species matching this filter.

All birds in DevonView family page

Devon's diverse coastline, estuaries, and wetlands provide vital habitat for 21 species of sandpipers and snipes. The Exe Estuary, Taw-Torridge Estuary, and Slapton Ley are particularly important sites, attracting waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, and Curlew throughout the year. Scarcer visitors like Curlew Sandpiper and Greenshank add excitement during migration periods, while Eurasian Woodcock and Common Snipe can be found in the county's woodlands and damp meadows.

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

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

Frequents Devon's estuaries, especially the Exe and Taw-Torridge, probing mudflats with its upturned bill. Most numerous in winter and on autumn passage.

Jul–May

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A year-round presence on the Exe Estuary, one of the UK's key wintering sites. Feeds on mudflats in large flocks, with numbers peaking from autumn through spring.

Year-round

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

Bobs along Devon's rivers and rocky shores throughout the year. Breeds beside upland streams on Dartmoor and Exmoor, with wider dispersal in winter.

Year-round

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

Found year-round in wet meadows, marshes and estuary margins. Its distinctive 'drumming' display flight can be heard over Devon's moorland bogs in spring.

Aug–Jun

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

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

Present year-round, breeding on Dartmoor and wintering on Devon's estuaries. Its evocative call is iconic across the county's moors.

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 appearing on estuarine mudflats between August and October. Often found feeding alongside Dunlin on the Exe.

Aug–Oct

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

Found year-round on Devon's estuaries, forming busy flocks on the Exe mudflats. Numbers peak in winter when Continental birds augment the resident population.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

Winters in Devon's damp woodlands and hedgerows, often flushed unexpectedly from leaf litter. Most likely encountered during cold snaps from December to March.

Dec–Mar

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, ditches and watercress beds. Most often seen during return migration in July–August and again in winter.

Jul–Apr

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

Present year-round on Devon's estuaries and coastal creeks, though never in large numbers. Elegant and long-legged, often seen wading in shallow tidal channels.

Year-round

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. Easily overlooked due to its skulking habits, typically flushing only at very close range.

Dec

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare passage migrant, mainly in autumn, picking through mudflats alongside Dunlin. Tiny size and delicate feeding action help distinguish it from commoner waders.

Aug–Jan

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A scarce winter visitor favouring rocky shorelines and breakwaters. Most reliably found along Devon's exposed north coast from November to March.

Nov–Mar

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Scarce on Devon's estuaries compared to larger east coast sites. Small flocks occasionally appear on the Exe mudflats, mainly in winter and on passage.

Jul–Apr

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

Common on Devon's estuaries year-round, with its loud piping calls a familiar sound on the Exe and Taw mudflats. Numbers bolstered by winter visitors.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Forages along Devon's rocky shorelines and harbour walls, flipping stones and seaweed to find invertebrates. Present most months but absent in midsummer.

Jul–May

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A scarce non-breeding visitor to freshwater marshes and estuary edges. Most records fall between autumn and early spring, often involving single birds.

Jul–Mar

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

Scarce but regular on Devon's sandy beaches, running rapidly along the tideline. Most likely on south coast beaches in winter and during passage periods.

Jul–May

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

Scarce but regular on the Exe and other estuaries, often feeding apart from common Redshanks. Most likely seen in autumn passage and winter months.

Jul–Apr

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

Passes through Devon's estuaries and coasts mainly in spring and autumn. Its distinctive seven-note whistle aids identification.

Apr–Oct

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

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, typically appearing briefly at freshwater marshes and scrapes in August. Devon records are infrequent and highly prized by birders.

Aug

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Sandpipers & Snipes in Devon | Birdfact