Sandpipers & Snipes in North Yorkshire

23 species matching this filter.

All birds in North YorkshireView family page

North Yorkshire's diverse landscapes, from the wild moorlands of the Dales and North York Moors to the estuaries and mudflats of the coast, provide vital habitats for 23 species of sandpipers and snipes. This family includes iconic breeding birds such as the Curlew and Common Snipe on the upland moors, as well as passage and wintering waders like Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, and Greenshank found along the coast. The region's wetlands and river valleys also attract scarcer visitors such as the Curlew Sandpiper and Green Sandpiper, making it a rewarding destination for wader enthusiasts year-round.

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

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

Found on the coast, particularly the Tees estuary and Filey, with numbers peaking during autumn passage and winter months.

Jul–May

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A rare resident, mainly seen at wetland sites from winter through autumn. Passage birds and Icelandic wintering flocks boost numbers.

Jan–Oct

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

A summer breeder along upland rivers and reservoir edges from April to September. Bobs constantly on waterside rocks in characteristic fashion.

Apr–Sep

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident of moorland bogs and damp meadows, performing its distinctive 'drumming' display flight over the Dales and North York Moors in spring.

Year-round

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

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

A common resident breeding on moorland and farmland, with its evocative call defining the Dales landscape. A declining species of conservation concern.

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 in August–September, typically found picking through mud at coastal pools and reservoir margins.

Aug–Sep

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

Present year-round, breeding on upland moors in summer and gathering on estuarine mudflats in winter. A small wader with a distinctive downcurved bill.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A secretive resident of damp woodland floors, most often glimpsed during its roding display flights at dusk in spring and summer.

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 breeder, most often glimpsed at freshwater pools and reservoir margins during autumn passage. Bobs distinctively when flushed.

Apr–Nov

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon visitor from April to September, favouring reservoir edges and coastal pools on passage. Its ringing 'tew-tew-tew' call carries far.

Apr–Sep

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

Grey Phalarope

Phalaropus fulicariusLC

A rare autumn passage visitor, occasionally driven to the coast at Filey or Scarborough by strong westerly gales in October and November.

Oct–Nov

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A rare and secretive winter visitor from October to March. Favours boggy margins and wet meadows, flushing only at close range.

Oct–Mar

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 and September, pausing at coastal pools and mudflats. Tiny and active, often feeding among dunlin flocks.

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 turning up at freshwater scrapes in September. Always a prized find for local birders.

Sep

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

Frequents rocky shores and harbour walls along the coast, especially at Scarborough and Filey, mainly outside the brief breeding season.

Jul–May

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Uncommon but present year-round, gathering in flocks on the Tees estuary mudflats. Numbers peak in winter with arrivals from Arctic breeding grounds.

Year-round

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

An uncommon year-round resident of coastal marshes and upland wet pastures, its piping alarm call a familiar sound on the region's estuaries.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Found year-round on rocky shorelines and harbours along the coast. Flips stones and seaweed to find invertebrates hidden beneath.

Year-round

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

A rare visitor to coastal marshes and freshwater pools, mainly on passage. Males in breeding plumage with elaborate ruffs are seldom seen here.

Aug–May

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

Uncommon but present all year, racing along sandy beaches at Filey and Scarborough. Most conspicuous during spring and autumn passage.

Year-round

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

A rare autumn passage bird, occasionally stopping at coastal pools and estuaries in August and September during southward migration.

Aug–Sep

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

An uncommon breeder on upland moors, present from April to September. Its distinctive seven-note whistle carries across the open landscape.

Apr–Sep

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

Wood Sandpiper

Tringa glareolaLC

A rare passage wader seen briefly at freshwater pools and marshes, mainly in May and again in July–August on return migration.

May–Aug

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

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