Common Greenshank

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Common Greenshank in the UK

Greenshank is a scarce breeder, a regular passage migrant and a scarce winter visitor. The breeding estimate is 1,100 pairs, all on remote moorland and blanket bog in the north-west Highlands and Hebrides. That figure dates from a 1995 survey, so the current trend is unclear. Passage birds from Scotland and Scandinavia move through from mid July to late September, with a smaller spring movement. Under 1,000 stay for the winter, mostly on western estuaries. Amber-listed, and protected under Schedule 1.

Where and when to see a Common Greenshank

On passage, check estuary creeks, saltmarsh pools, reservoir margins and reserve scrapes anywhere in Britain, with August the peak month. In winter, look on estuaries in south-west England, west Wales, western Scotland and Ireland. For breeding birds, RSPB Forsinard Flows in Sutherland has trails and a viewing tower over the bog pools, and RSPB Corrimony near Inverness is also suggested. Birds are usually alone or in twos and threes, often wading belly-deep.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Bogs (summer); estuaries (passage).
Diet: Invertebrates, small fish.
Field note: Slightly upturned bill.

How to identify a Common Greenshank

A tall, elegant wader, larger than a Redshank. It looks grey and white at any distance: grey above, clean white below, with a pale head and neck. The bill is long, stout at the base, grey and slightly upturned. Legs are long and dull green. In flight the wings are plain dark with no white bar, and a long white wedge runs up the back. It feeds actively, sometimes dashing through shallows after small fish.

Call and song

A loud, ringing "tew-tew-tew", usually three notes on the same pitch, given as it flies off. It is one of the easiest wader calls to learn and carries across a whole estuary. Redshank calls are higher and drop in pitch. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Common Redshank: Redshank is smaller and browner with orange-red legs and a broad white trailing edge to the wing.
• Spotted Redshank: Spotted Redshank in winter is also pale grey but has red legs, a fine straight bill with a red base and a "chu-it" call.
• Marsh Sandpiper: Marsh Sandpiper is a rare vagrant that looks like a small, delicate Greenshank with a needle-thin straight bill.

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 Common Greenshank is an Uncommon tier bird, worth +3 points when you log one. It is Amber-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the middle level of concern in the UK. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Common Greenshank is on the list:

• RSPB Leighton Moss
• RSPB Titchwell Marsh
• Rutland Water

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Spotted RedshankRare · Estuaries
• Green SandpiperUncommon · Drains
• Common RedshankCommon · Marshes
• Marsh SandpiperEpic · Pools
• Wood SandpiperRare · Boggy pools
• Greater YellowlegsLegendary · Pools (very rare vagrant)

Common Greenshank: quick answers

Where can I see a Greenshank in the UK?

In late summer, any coastal wetland or muddy reservoir edge can hold one. East and south coast reserves with shallow lagoons are reliable in August. To see breeding birds you need to go to the Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland or the north-west Highlands in May or June.

When is the best time to see Greenshank?

Mid July to late September. Adults come through first and juveniles follow from August. A second, smaller passage runs in April and May.

What does a Greenshank eat?

Small fish, shrimps, crabs, worms and insect larvae. On estuaries it often chases fish through the shallows with its bill open in the water. On the breeding bogs it eats mainly insects, including beetles and water bugs, plus tadpoles and newts.

Kit that helps

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