Wading birds come in different shapes and sizes, showing adaptations to their special feeding styles. Look at the different length and shape of bills. At this time of year they are travelling from their northern breeding grounds to warmer winter quarters. Some are just passing through
The common ones are: oystercatcher, avocet, golden plover, grey plover, little ringed plover, ringed plover, lapwing, redshank, snipe, bar-tailed godwit, black-tailed godwit, whimbrel, curlew, redshank, knot, ruff, dunlin, sanderling, common sandpiper, green sandpiper, turnstone
The more unusual ones are: greenshank, spotted redshank, curlew sandpiper, little stint, Temminck’s stint - and then there are the rare ones!
Some will be adults in their breeding plumage, some will be adults in their winter plumage and many will be juveniles. This can be a real identification challenge, but start with the common and distinctive ones…
ringed plover above, oystercatcher below
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This post is also available on Sussex Wildlife Trust website
