Ruddy Turnstone

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Ruddy Turnstone in the UK

A common winter visitor and passage migrant that does not breed in the UK. About 43,000 winter here, with birds present on almost every stretch of coast. Wintering numbers fell by 17% between 1998 and 2023, and the species is on the Amber list. British winterers come mainly from Greenland and north-east Canada, while Scandinavian birds pass through in spring and autumn. A few non-breeding birds, mostly young ones, stay through the summer.

Where and when to see a Ruddy Turnstone

Rocky shores, harbour walls, piers, jetties, mussel beds and tideline seaweed all round the coast. It is far less common on open sand and scarce inland. August to May is the main season. Birds are easiest at high tide, when they roost on breakwaters and boats or feed along the strandline. Seaside towns are good places to look, as Turnstones are tame and will pick at scraps on quaysides and promenades.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Rocky shores, harbours.
Diet: Invertebrates under stones.
Field note: Flips pebbles to feed.

How to identify a Ruddy Turnstone

Smaller than a Redshank, stocky and short-legged, with a short wedge-shaped bill and orange legs. In winter it is dark brown above with a smudgy dark breast patch and a clean white belly. In breeding plumage the back turns chestnut and black, like tortoiseshell, and the head becomes white with black markings. In flight it shows a bold pattern of white stripes on the back, wings and tail. It feeds busily in small groups, flicking over stones and weed.

Call and song

A fast, hard rattle, 'tuk-a-tuk-tuk', given in flight and when disturbed. Feeding flocks keep up a low chattering as they work along the shore. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Purple Sandpiper: Purple Sandpiper shares the same rocks but is plain slate-grey with a longer, slightly drooping bill that is yellow at the base.
• Ringed Plover: Ringed Plover is paler sandy brown with a single neat black breast band and a stop-start run.

Month by month

Numbers peak in May. See the May birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Ruddy Turnstone is a Common tier bird, worth +1 point when you log one. It is Amber-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the middle level of concern in the UK.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Purple SandpiperRare · Rocky shores (winter)
• American Herring GullLegendary · Harbours
• Black GuillemotUncommon · Rocky coasts; sheltered firths
• Black WheatearLegendary · Rocky areas (extreme vagrant)
• Blue Rock ThrushLegendary · Rocky cliffs (very rare)
• Bonelli's EagleLegendary · Rocky Mediterranean hills

Ruddy Turnstone: quick answers

What does a Turnstone eat?

Almost anything on the shore. Its main food is small invertebrates such as sandhoppers, winkles, barnacles and shore crabs, found by flipping stones and seaweed. It also takes carrion and human food scraps, which is why it does well in harbours.

What habitat does Turnstone live in?

In the UK, hard and stony coast: rocks, shingle, sea defences and weed-covered beaches. It breeds on Arctic tundra and coastal islands far to the north. Inland records are few and mostly at reservoirs during migration.

When is the best time to see Turnstone?

Any time from late summer to spring. Adults returning in August and birds leaving in May show the bright chestnut breeding plumage. Midwinter gives the largest numbers.

Kit that helps

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