Sandpipers & Snipes in Suffolk

24 species matching this filter.

All birds in SuffolkView family page

Suffolk's extensive coastline, estuaries, and wetlands make it one of the finest counties in England for observing sandpipers and snipes. With 24 recorded species in this family, birders can enjoy sightings ranging from the elegant Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits on tidal mudflats to the secretive Jack Snipe and Eurasian Woodcock in damp woodland and marshes. Key sites such as Minsmere, the Alde-Ore Estuary, and the Deben Estuary provide vital feeding and roosting grounds for these waders 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)13 year-round residents

Showing 1–23 of 24 species

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Limosa lapponicaNT

Present year-round on Suffolk's estuaries and mudflats, with numbers boosted in winter by Arctic-breeding birds.

Year-round

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

Black-tailed Godwit

Limosa limosaNT

A common resident of Suffolk's coastal marshes and estuaries. Large flocks gather at sites like the Alde-Ore estuary, especially outside the breeding season.

Year-round

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

Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucosLC

An uncommon passage and breeding visitor, bobbing along Suffolk's river edges and reservoir margins from spring to autumn.

Feb–Oct

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

Common Snipe

Gallinago gallinagoLC

An uncommon resident of Suffolk's wet grasslands and marshes, with numbers swelling in winter as continental birds arrive.

Year-round

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

Curlew

Numenius arquataNT

Present year-round on Suffolk's estuaries and marshes, with winter flocks swelled by continental birds at sites like the Deben.

Year-round

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

Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferrugineaNT

A rare but eagerly sought passage wader, most likely at coastal scrapes and lagoons from July to October, often mixing with Dunlin flocks.

May–Oct

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

Dunlin

Calidris alpinaLC

A common sight on Suffolk's estuarine mudflats year-round, forming large winter flocks at key sites like the Stour and Orwell.

Year-round

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

Eurasian Woodcock

Scolopax rusticolaLC

A rare and secretive non-breeding visitor, mainly in winter. Favours damp woodland floors and hedgerows, flushing at close range with a zigzag flight.

Nov–Jun

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

Spotted something?

Upload a photo to identify it

Identify
Green Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Tringa ochropusLC

An uncommon but regular wader found along freshwater ditches, marshes and watercress beds across Suffolk, most often seen singly bobbing along muddy stream edges.

Jun–Apr

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

Greenshank

Tringa nebulariaLC

An uncommon passage and breeding-season visitor, most often seen on Suffolk's estuarine mudflats from late summer into autumn, with a distinctive ringing call.

Mar–Nov

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

Jack Snipe

Lymnocryptes minimusLC

A secretive winter visitor to Suffolk's wet marshes and boggy margins, rarely flushed and easily overlooked from October to April.

Oct–Apr

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

Little Stint

Calidris minutaLC

A rare visitor to Suffolk's coastal scrapes and pools, mainly seen on passage from late summer into autumn.

May–Oct

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

Pectoral Sandpiper

Calidris melanotosLC

A rare Nearctic wader appearing at Suffolk's freshwater scrapes in August and September during autumn passage.

Aug–Sep

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

Purple Sandpiper

Calidris maritimaLC

A rare winter visitor to Suffolk's rocky coastal structures such as groynes and harbour walls, as the county lacks the natural rocky shoreline this species prefers.

Sep–Mar

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

Red Knot

Calidris canutusNT

Uncommon on Suffolk's coast, small flocks gather on estuarine mudflats, particularly at the Deben and Stour. Numbers peak in winter and during passage periods.

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 spinning on pools at Suffolk's coastal reserves in September.

Sep

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

Redshank

Tringa totanusLC

A common year-round resident of Suffolk's coastal marshes and estuaries, its loud piping calls are a familiar sound at sites like the Alde-Ore and Deben estuaries.

Year-round

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

Ruddy Turnstone

Arenaria interpresLC

Present year-round along Suffolk's rocky groynes and shingle beaches, busily flipping stones for invertebrates.

Year-round

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

Ruff

Philomachus pugnaxLC

An uncommon wader found year-round on Suffolk's coastal marshes, with numbers peaking during autumn passage.

Year-round

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

Sanderling

Calidris albaLC

A scarce visitor to Suffolk's sandy beaches, most often seen running along the tideline at sites like Minsmere.

Year-round

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

Spotted Redshank

Tringa erythropusLC

An uncommon but year-round presence on Suffolk's estuaries, often seen feeding on mudflats at sites like the Alde-Ore.

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 recorded at Suffolk's coastal scrapes and pools, chiefly in May.

Dec–May

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

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusLC

An uncommon summer visitor, passing through coastal marshes and estuaries from April to September. Its distinctive rippling call carries across mudflats.

Apr–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Page 1 of 2Next

Frequently Asked Questions

Sandpipers & Snipes in Suffolk | Birdfact