Belongs to: small waders

Little stint Calidris minuta


Best time to see: Oct to Mar

Key facts

Small version of dunlin, with short bill, black legs and non-stop feeding action

Habitat: marshes and estuaries

Regular passage migrant; breeds in N. Norway and Siberia

Recognition

Very small dunlin-like wader; short bill and black legs; grey upperparts in winter, brown in summer

Feeds in characteristic non-stop feeding action

Eats worms, crustaceans and molluscs

Lifecycle

Nest is a neat cup on ground

1 brood June to July; 4 pale olive eggs, speckled brown

  • Main photo

Photo © Robin Chittenden