Stilt Sandpiper

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Habitat and behaviour

Habitat: Shallow pools (vagrant).
Diet: Aquatic invertebrates.
Best time to spot: Long legs; curved bill.

When to look

A rare visitor, not a resident. There is no dependable season, though most rarities are found during spring and autumn migration. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

How rare is it?

The Stilt Sandpiper sits in our Legendary tier for the UK: a major rarity, where any record is big news. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Long-toed StintLegendary · Muddy pools (extreme vagrant)
• Great KnotLegendary · Mudflats (extreme vagrant)
• Least SandpiperLegendary · Muddy pools (very rare)
• Red-necked StintLegendary · Pools (very rare)
• Sharp-tailed SandpiperLegendary · Coastal pools (very rare)
• Western SandpiperLegendary · Mudflats (very rare vagrant)

Kit that helps

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