dunlin
Calidris alpina

Compare with:
curlew sandpiper

Key facts

Most widespread and abundant wader found on estuaries

Habitat: marshes, estuaries, shores and moors

Widespread and common wader; winters in S. Britain breeds in N. Britain

Recognition

Summer: black belly, chestnut and black upperparts; winter: pale grey above, white below; medium black bill

Feeds busily in hunched-up posture; forms enormous flocks

Eats crustaceans, molluscs; in flight has white wingbar

Lifecycle

Nest is a hollow on ground

1 Brood May to June; 4 eggs greenish, blotched brown

dunlin
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