The birds called ‘sandpipers’ can be roughly divided into two main genera. The Calidris sandpipers are generally small, short-necked, dumpy, rounded waders with slightly down-curved bills and shortish, dull or black legs. The Tringa sandpipers are medium-sized, slim, longer necked, waders, with straight or even upcurved bills and long, often brightly coloured legs. Here we look at the main Tringa species you may encounter in May. Note that May is (apart from a minuscule breeding population) just about the worst month for Green Sandpiper in the UK, so this has not been included.
Redshank
The very familiar, grey-brown, medium-sized Redshank is stocky by Tringa standards. Note the broad white trailing edge to the wing, obvious triangular white rump and medium-length, red-based bill. The legs are bright red. In spring, adults…
