Sandpipers & Snipes in Gloucestershire

23 species matching this filter.

All birds in GloucestershireView family page

Gloucestershire's diverse wetland habitats, from the Severn Estuary mudflats to the flooded meadows of the Severn Vale, make it an important county for sandpipers and snipes. With 23 recorded species in this family, birders can encounter everything from the elegant Bar-tailed Godwit and Black-tailed Godwit on passage to resident breeders such as the Curlew and Common Snipe. The county's river valleys, reservoirs, and gravel pits provide vital feeding and roosting grounds for these wading birds throughout the year.

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

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

A rare visitor to the Severn Estuary mudflats, most likely seen during passage periods in spring and autumn.

Year-round

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

Common year-round on the Severn Estuary and wet grasslands, with Slimbridge hosting nationally important flocks.

Year-round

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon resident along rivers and reservoir edges. Most conspicuous during passage, bobbing on rocks by the water.

Apr–Feb

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident of marshy fields and wetland edges, most conspicuous in winter when flushed from waterlogged grassland.

Jul–May

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

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

Common along the Severn Estuary and on wet grasslands year-round. Breeding numbers in the county have declined significantly.

Year-round

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

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

An uncommon autumn passage migrant, typically seen August to October on muddy pools and estuary margins.

Aug–Oct

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

Common along the Severn Estuary mudflats year-round, with numbers peaking in winter when migrants join resident birds.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A rare passage bird in June; more typically winters in woodland but breeds sparingly in the county.

Jun

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 regular visitor to muddy pool edges and ditches, present in most months except midwinter.

Jun–Apr

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon breeder present from April to October, favouring marshy pools and reservoir margins.

Apr–Oct

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

Grey Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicariusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally storm-blown to inland pools and reservoirs in September.

Sep

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 boggy fields and wetland margins. Easily overlooked due to its skulking habits.

Oct–Apr

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare wader visiting the Severn Estuary mudflats and inland reservoirs, most likely seen on autumn passage in August and September.

Aug–May

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

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A rare Nearctic wader appearing on autumn passage in August–September, typically at Slimbridge or Cotswold Water Park scrapes.

Aug–Sep

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

A rare visitor to the Severn Estuary, mainly in winter and during passage. Small flocks occasionally feed on the mudflats.

Jul–Apr

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

Common year-round on the Severn Estuary and wet meadows, breeding on damp grasslands in spring.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

An uncommon visitor to rocky and muddy shores along the Severn Estuary, absent only in June during the breeding season.

Jul–May

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

Uncommon but present year-round on wet grasslands and muddy scrapes, often alongside lapwings at Slimbridge.

Year-round

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

A rare breeding-season visitor, occasionally seen at Severn Estuary mudflats and reservoir margins from May to September.

May–Sep

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

An uncommon wader found on the Severn Estuary and nearby wetlands. Elegant in breeding plumage during spring passage.

Year-round

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

Temminck's Stint

Calidris temminckiiLC

A rare passage migrant, occasionally stopping at freshwater scrapes and muddy pool edges in May and again in autumn.

May–Nov

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

An uncommon breeder, present from April to September on upland pastures and wet meadows in the county.

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 freshwater pools and scrapes, mainly in late summer. A scarce but regular autumn visitor.

May–Sep

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

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