Sandpipers & Snipes in Durham

22 species matching this filter.

All birds in DurhamView family page

Durham's diverse coastal, estuarine, and upland habitats support an impressive 22 species from the Sandpipers & Snipes family. From the haunting call of the Curlew across the county's moorlands to flocks of Dunlin and Bar-tailed Godwit feeding along the Durham Heritage Coast, this group of wading birds is well represented throughout the seasons. Notable species such as Eurasian Woodcock, Common Snipe, and scarcer passage visitors like Curlew Sandpiper and Greenshank make Durham a rewarding destination for wader enthusiasts.

Little Stint
Little StintSmallest · 13cm
to
Curlew
CurlewLargest · 60cm
Ranges from the Little Stint (13cm) to the Curlew (60cm)9 year-round residents
Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare non-breeding visitor to the Durham coast, mainly seen on passage at estuaries and rocky shores outside the summer months.

Jul–Mar

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare year-round visitor to Durham's wetlands and coastal mudflats. Numbers have increased nationally but sightings here remain scarce.

Jun–Apr

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon summer breeder along Durham's rivers and reservoirs from April to September. Bobs constantly on waterside rocks and stones.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

A scarce year-round resident of boggy moorland and wet meadows. Its drumming display in spring is heard on Durham's uplands but declining breeding numbers.

Year-round

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

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

A common resident breeding on Durham's upland moors and rough pastures. Its evocative bubbling call is a defining sound of the county's moorlands.

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 at coastal pools and mudflats in August–September. Often found feeding alongside Dunlin.

Aug–Sep

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

An uncommon year-round resident found on coastal mudflats and upland moorland breeding sites. Numbers peak in autumn with passage birds.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A scarce resident of Durham's mature woodlands, most often seen during its roding display flights at dusk in spring. Winter numbers boosted by continental arrivals.

Oct–Jun

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

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Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, typically seen at freshwater pools and muddy margins in August and September. Often solitary and easily overlooked.

Aug–Sep

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

A rare but regular visitor, mainly on autumn passage from July to October at reservoirs and coastal wetlands. Distinctive ringing call aids identification.

Jul–Mar

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A secretive and rare passage visitor, occasionally flushed from boggy margins and wet meadows. Most likely encountered in late winter.

Feb

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare autumn passage migrant in August–September, found at coastal scrapes and freshwater margins. Tiny size helps distinguish it from Dunlin.

Aug–Sep

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

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A rare Nearctic vagrant, occasionally appearing at freshwater pools in September. A prized find for Durham's birdwatchers during autumn passage.

Sep

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare winter visitor to Durham's rocky coastline, favouring wave-washed piers and headlands. Departs by spring to breed in the Arctic.

Sep–Mar

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

A rare non-breeding visitor to the Durham coast, occasionally seen in flocks on sandy beaches and estuarine mudflats outside the summer months.

Jul–Mar

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

An uncommon year-round resident found on coastal mudflats and inland wet grasslands. Its loud piping alarm call is distinctive at breeding sites.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

An uncommon but year-round presence on Durham's rocky shoreline, flipping stones and seaweed to find invertebrates. Most numerous outside summer.

Year-round

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally found at freshwater pools and flooded fields in August and September. Males in breeding plumage are seldom seen here.

Aug–Sep

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

A scarce but year-round visitor to Durham's sandy beaches, often seen in small flocks running along the tideline. Most numerous on passage.

May–Mar

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare passage migrant seen briefly in late winter and autumn at coastal pools and estuaries. Longer-legged and darker than the common Redshank.

Aug–Mar

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

A rare passage migrant, mainly seen in spring and late summer on the Durham coast or inland wetlands. Listen for its distinctive rippling whistle.

Apr–Sep

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

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare passage migrant in August, occasionally stopping at freshwater wetlands and flooded fields. One of the scarcer waders recorded in Durham.

Aug

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

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