Latin Etymology: Calidris (bird named by Aristotle) alpina ("of the mountains")
Adult breeding plumage Dunlin (subspecies either C. a. alpina or C. a. schinzii) at Trevose Head, Cornwall - July 2019
Featured Subspecies: Calidris alpina alpina OR Calidris alpina schinzii (?)
Weight: 48-64g / Length: 17-21cm / Wingspan: 32-36cm
UK RED LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
One of the UK's commonest wader, this smallish bird can be seen in small groups either on the coast or on inland reservoirs. It is probably best seen on the coast in Winter or on passage however where it arrives in huge numbers. In theory it probably isn't that difficult to photograph, but getting a good photograph might be tricker unless you are at a suitable site. It is generally the most numerous wader on muddy coastal sites and roosts in large numbers. It has very distinct plumages in Summer and Winter - the Winter being an unremarkable dull grey-brown, while in Summer it gains a russet colour on top and a distinctive black belly patch.
Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Calidris
Subspecies: C. a. arcticola, C. a. pacifica, C. a. hudsonia, C. a.arctica, C. a. schinzii, C. a. alpina, C. a. sakhalina, C. a. actites, C. a. kistchinskii
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - A scarce and local breeding species (8,600-10,600 pairs) and numerous Winter visitor (360,000 birds)
- Birds seen commonly at a large number of sites, including but not limited to Rutland Water, Trevose Head, Rainham Marshes, Pitsford Reservoir, Eyebrook Reservoir, Oare Marshes, Elmley Marshes, Herne Bay and Summerleys.
- MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen at Laguna del Longar. 
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