Spotted Redshank

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Estuaries, lagoons (passage).
Diet: Invertebrates, small fish.
Best time to spot: Inky-black summer plumage.

When to look

A passage migrant. Look for it on spring and autumn movements rather than through the summer. Numbers peak in April. See the April 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.

How rare is it?

The Spotted Redshank sits in our Rare tier for the UK: scarce or very local, so most birders need a planned trip. It is Amber-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the middle level of concern in the UK.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Spotted Redshank is on the list:

• RSPB Leighton Moss
• RSPB Minsmere
• RSPB Titchwell Marsh

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Wood SandpiperRare · Boggy pools
• Common GreenshankUncommon · Bogs (summer); estuaries (passage)
• Common RedshankCommon · Marshes
• Green SandpiperUncommon · Drains
• Marsh SandpiperEpic · Pools
• Lesser YellowlegsRare · Pools

Kit that helps

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