Sandpipers & Snipes in East Riding of Yorkshire

25 species matching this filter.

All birds in East Riding of YorkshireView family page

The East Riding of Yorkshire is a superb destination for observing sandpipers and snipes, with 25 species recorded across its diverse coastal and wetland habitats. The Humber Estuary and Spurn Point provide internationally important feeding grounds for waders such as Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-tailed Godwit, and Curlew, while inland marshes and damp grasslands attract species like Common Snipe, Jack Snipe, and Eurasian Woodcock. Whether visiting during autumn migration or the depths of winter, birders can enjoy remarkable concentrations of these characterful shorebirds.

Temminck's Stint
Temminck's StintSmallest · 13cm
to
Curlew
CurlewLargest · 60cm
Ranges from the Temminck's Stint (13cm) to the Curlew (60cm)14 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 25 species

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

An uncommon wader of the Humber estuary and Spurn, most numerous in winter and on passage. Feeds on mudflats 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

Present year-round, with the Humber wetlands hosting important numbers. Breeds at select sites and gathers in flocks during autumn and winter.

Year-round

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon breeder along streams and reservoir edges, bobbing characteristically on rocks. Present from April to October.

Apr–Oct

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon year-round resident of wet grassland and marshes. Breeds in damp meadows and is more visible in winter when flushed from ditches.

Year-round

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

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

A common year-round resident, breeding on farmland and moorland edges, wintering on the Humber mudflats. Its evocative call is iconic of the region.

Year-round

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

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

An uncommon visitor from May to October, favouring coastal scrapes and estuarine margins, often mixing with Dunlin flocks on passage.

May–Oct

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

A common resident of the Humber Estuary and coastal mudflats, forming large winter flocks. Breeds sparingly on nearby moorland.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

An uncommon winter visitor to woodland and hedgerows, arriving from October. Continental birds boost numbers, sometimes appearing in gardens during cold snaps.

Oct–Apr

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

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Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

An uncommon but year-round visitor to ditches, watercress beds, and marshy pools, often flushed from cover with a distinctive white rump.

Mar–Dec

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon but year-round presence on estuarine mudflats and inland pools, most frequently seen during autumn passage.

Year-round

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

Grey Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicariusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, most likely seen after strong westerly gales in October along the Holderness coast or at Spurn Point.

Oct

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A rare and secretive winter visitor to marshy areas, arriving from September. Easily overlooked, it tends to flush only at very close range.

Sep–Feb

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare visitor from May to October, most often seen in autumn at coastal scrapes and freshwater pools alongside other small waders.

May–Oct

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

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A rare autumn passage vagrant from August to October, occasionally turning up at freshwater marshes and flooded fields.

Aug–Oct

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare winter visitor to rocky outcrops at Flamborough Head and Bridlington harbour, absent during midsummer months.

Sep–May

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Present year-round on the Humber Estuary mudflats, with large winter flocks. Numbers peak from autumn through spring.

Year-round

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Red-necked Phalarope

Red-necked Phalarope

Phalaropus lobatusLC

A rare autumn passage migrant, occasionally seen on coastal pools and flooded fields in August and September, often spinning on the water to feed.

Aug–Sep

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

A common resident found year-round on the Humber Estuary mudflats, coastal marshes, and wet grasslands, with numbers boosted by winter arrivals.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

An uncommon resident along rocky shores and harbour walls, particularly at Flamborough Head and Bridlington, flipping stones to find invertebrates.

Year-round

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

An uncommon year-round visitor to freshwater marshes and wet grasslands, most conspicuous during autumn passage at inland wetland reserves.

Year-round

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

An uncommon resident of sandy beaches along the Holderness coast and Spurn, running along the tideline in small flocks year-round.

Year-round

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare visitor from spring through autumn, occasionally lingering into November at estuarine pools and coastal scrapes on the Humber.

Apr–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Temminck's Stint

Temminck's Stint

Calidris temminckiiLC

A rare spring passage migrant, briefly appearing in May at freshwater pools and muddy scrape edges before continuing north.

May

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