Latin name

Tringa ochropus

Family

(Scolopacidae)

Overview

A very contrasting wader which looks like a large house martin in flight. Its dark, almost black upperparts, pale underparts and white rump are distinctive. It frequently bobs up and down when standing. It often appears nervous and will fly off with a low zig-zagging flight when disturbed.

Where to see them

Largely confined to England and Wales. Look for migrant birds near almost any freshwater margins - marshes, lakes, gravel pits and rivers. In winter it likes sewage works, watercress beds and freshwater marshes.

When to see them

Seen in the UK most between July and March.

What they eat

Insects

This text was provided with kind permission from the RSPB www.rspb.org.uk