Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica)

OTHER NAMES: Barred-rumped Godwit, Pacific Ocean Godwit, Southern, Small Godwit

Latin Etymology: Limosa (species specific name) lapponica ("of Lapland")

Adult Winter Bar-tailed Godwit (subspecies L. l. lapponica) at Thornham Harbour, Norfolk - November 2021

Featured Subspecies: Limosa lapponica lapponica
Weight: 190-630g  /  Length: 37-41cm  /  Wingspan: 70-80cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Despite being, in theory at least, the more numerous of the two British Godwit species, I've personally found finding "Barwits" much harder than their counterpart. The reasons for this are relatively simple in some cases - unlike the Black-tailed, the Bar-tailed is essentially exclusively found on the coast and occasionally up the shores of the larger rivers. Telling the differences between Godwits isn't necessarily easy at first but can be acquired with some practice.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Limosa
Subspecies: L. l. lapponica, L. l. taymyrensis, L. l. menzbieri, L. l. baueri

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally common Winter Vistor (41,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at Reculver,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Shorelark (Eremophila alpestris)

OTHER NAMES: Shore Lark, Horned Lark
Latin Etymology: Eremophila ("desert loving") alpestris ("alpine")

Three adult Shorelark (subspecies E. a. flava) at Reculver, Kent -  February 2011

Featured Subspecies: Eremophila alpestris flava

Weight: 33-45g  /  Length: 16-19cm  /  Wingspan: 30-24cm

NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Known in America as "Horned Larks", Shore larks are the scarcest of the the three UK larks - a Winter visitor which turns up on beaches along the East Coast in numbers between a handful and a few hundred. This is perhaps balanced by the fact it is one of the most massively globally distributed species I have seen, found on every continent except Australasia and Antarctica. They also are, in my opinion, by far the most striking of the UK larks - while the other lark species of Europe have varying combinations of ochre, it has a distinctive yellow and black face and a white chest. For the most part these will probably require some awareness of where they have been sighted to find - even there I made sure to ask where exactly they'd been seen to make it easier to find them.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Alaudidae
Genus: Eremophila
Subspecies*: E. a. atlas, E. a. balcanica, E. a. kumerloevei, E. a. bicornis, E. a. penicillata, E. a. albigula, E. a. longirostris, E. a. teleschowi, E. a. argalea, E. a. elwesi, E. a. khamensis, E. a. nigrifrons, E. a. przewalskii, E. a. flava, E. a. brandti, E. a. hoyti, E. a. alpestris, E. a. praticola, E. a. giraudi, E. a. arcticola, E. a. alpina, E. a. leucolaema, E. a. enthymia, E. a. merrilli, E. a. lamprochroma, E. a. utahensis, E. a. ammophila, E. a. leucansiptila, E. a. occidentalis, E. a. strigata, E. a. sierrae, E. a. rubea, E. a. actia, E. a. insularis, E. a. adusta, E. a. enertera, E. a. aphrasta, E. a. lactea, E. a. diaphora, E. a. chrysolaema, E. a. oaxacae, E. a. peregrina 

* The Shorelark is probably imminently due to be split into 6 species, consisting of Atlas, Caucasian, Himalayan, Shore, Steppe and Horned larks.  Obviously, if this happens, this list will decrease substantially.     

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare Winter visitor (c. 74 birds)

 - A trio seen at Reculver,in February 2011        

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Snow Bunting (Plectrophenax nivalis)

OTHER NAMES: Snowflake

Latin Etymology: Plectrophenax ("bunting imposter") nivalis ("snow-white")

Two Winter plumage Snow Bunting  - female left, male right, (subspecies P. n insulae) at Herne Bay, Kent - February 2011

Featured Subspecies: Plectrophenax nivalis insulae

Weight: 30-46g  /  Length: 15-18cm  /  Wingspan: 30cm

UK AMBER LIST  / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Snow Buntings are for most people a Winter visitor, as although there is a small breeding population in the Highlands, it's a bit out the way for most people. Most common along the East Coast in Winter, I personally found my flock actually in a town (Herne Bay) with a flock of about 12 actually flitting along the beach by the pier. Later, I found another individual further along the coast on its own, neither in the exact place they had been seen before. As such, I'd suggest that if you do go looking for them following a report, look around the entire coastal area as they do move - look out for flocks of small sparrow like birds flying along the beach.  Two subspecies occur in the UK - the Icelandic subspecies insulae and the Scandinavian one nivalis.

Related Species:
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Calcariidae
Genus: Plectrophenax
Subspecies: P. n. nivalis, P. n. insulae, P. n. vlasowae, P. n. townsendi 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A breeding species found only in the Cairngorms (60 pairs) and Coastal Winter Visitor (10-15,000 birds)

 - A flock in Herne Bay and a single bird at Reculver on the same day in February 2011

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Sanderling (Calidris alba)

OTHER NAMES: White, Beach-bird, Ruddy Plover

Latin Etymology: Calidris (water bird mentioned by Aristotle) alba ("white")

Flock of adult Sanderling (Calidris alba) in non-breeding plumage at Margate, Kent -  October 2018

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 40-100g  /  Length: 18-20cm  /  Wingspan: 43cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Sanderling is a very small wader which can be seen scuttling along the waters edge looking for food. It is really a winter migrant coastal bird, but odd individuals may occasionally turn up in later in other seasons - a very distant sighting of one at Rutland during the spring being an example of this. I found some photographable ones however as Swalecliff - literally only a few meters away from me, they were exceedingly easy to photograph.  In this country we only see them in their Winter plumage - a distinctively white and silver pattern, but while breeding they turn mottled brown, but as their breeding territory is largely in the arctic circle, this is not something we get to see.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae 
Genus: Calidris
Subspecies: none - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A locally common Winter migrant (17000 birds)

 - Often seen on sandy beaches in Winter.  Sites include Herne Bay, Reculver, and Camber Sands. Vagrants at Rutland Water and Trevose Head   

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Brent Goose (Branta bernicla)

OTHER NAMES: Brant Goose
Latin Etymology: Branta ("burnt" from Old Norse) bernicula ("barnacle")

Brent Goose (subspecies B. b. bernicula - "Dark-bellied Brent Goose") at Margate, Kent -  October 2018

Featured Subspecies: Branta bernicla bernicla (the "Dark-bellied Brent Goose")
Weight: 600-2200g  /  Length: 55-66cm  /  Wingspan: 106-121cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Brent Goose is probably a species most easily seen on the coast in the Winter - it forms large flocks which makes it easy to see and find, but conversely, it is probably quite thinly distributed in where these flocks turn up. Individuals or small groups may also sometimes appear, as in theno-cane case of the single Brent Goose which formed my first ever Brent Goose sighting - unfortunatly it was plonked on the far bank of the Thames beyond my photography range. The birds in the photograph however, were part of a very large flock near Reculver in Kent - and generally the North Kent Coast is going to be a reliable site for them, probably any site between Oare Marshes and Ramsgate during the Winter should have them pass by sooner of later.

Related Species:

Order: Anseriformes

Family: Anatidae 

Genus: Branta 
Subspecies: B. b. bernicla, B. b. hrota, B. b. nigricans, B. b. orientalis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally commom Winter visitor; B. b. bernicula (91,000 birds) and B. b. hrota (31,400 birds). B. b. nigricans an annual vagrant. 

 - Dark-bellied subspecies a locally abundant Winter visitor in North Kent; Herne Bay, Reculver and Oare Marshes being good sites. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus,  IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola)

OTHER NAMES: Black-bellied plover, Gray plover, Silver plover, Grey sandpiper

Latin Etymology: Pluvialis ("relating to rain") squatarola (Venetian name for a kind of plover)

Three adult Winter Grey Plover (subspecies P. s. squatarola) at Reculver, Kent - February 2014

Featured Subspecies: Pluvialis squatarola squatarola* (see subspecies notes below)

Weight: 190-280g  /  Length: 27-30cm  /  Wingspan: 71-83cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Another estuary specialist, in this case a Winter migrant. Unfortunately this means that ordinarily the UK never gets to see this bird in it's striking black, white and silver summer plumage although I had the great luck to find a single individual in un-seasonal plumage in January amidst dozens of its winter plumaged brethren. As a target for photography, it probably depends very much on position of your vantage point to where they are - they would probably fly off if approached in the open, but hides overlooking roost sites or tidal flats hold the potential for good views.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Charadriidae
Genus: Pluvialis
Subspecies: either - monotypic OR P. s. squatarola, P. s. cynosuae, P. s. tomkovichi

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Locally common Wintering species (43,000 individual) and locally common Spring Passage Migrant (70,000 individuals)

 - Common in Winter at Oare Marshes, Elmley Marshes and Gravesend. 

UNITED STATES 
Breeds in Alaska, Wintering range along most of the Coast of the Lower 48.
- CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Berkeley

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Dunlin (Calidris alpina)

OTHER NAMES: Purre, Plover's Page, Least Snipe, Dunlin Sandpiper
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.

SPAIN - Spanish Name: Correlimos común ("Common Dunlin")

Scarce and Local Resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: Seen at Laguna del Longar.     

Further Information: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres)

OTHER NAMES: Turnstone

Latin Etymology: Arenaria ("relating to sand") interpres ("messenger")  

Adult Ruddy Turnstone (subspecies A. i. interpres) in Winter plumage at Whitstable, Kent - March 2011

Featured Subspecies: Arenaria interpres interpres

Weight: 84-190g  /  Length: 21-26cm  /  Wingspan: 50-57cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Although technically a winter migrant, the turnstone can be found throughout the year. The summer plumage is quite striking, with chestnut, black and white markings. The winter plumage is a bit more drab, but still unusual enough to make it one of the easiest to identify shorebirds. Bold by shorebird standards, and often found in harbours, the turnstone should be one of the easiest birds to photograph if you visit the coast.  They are also notable for eating just about anything, and indeed are probably the only wader to have properly adapted to urban life in the UK - scavenging for crumbs in coastal towns.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Arenaria
Subspecies: A. i. interpres, A. i. morinella

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A locally common resident (51,000 birds)

 - Birds seen commonly at a large number of sites including but not limited to Trevose Head, Herne Bay, Seahouses, Reculver and Whitstable. 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Goosander (Mergus merganser)

OTHER NAMES: Common Merganser
Latin Etymology: Mergus (bird named by Pliny etc) merganser ("waterbird goose")

Adult male Goosander (subspecies M. m. merganser) at Deeping Lakes, Lincolnshire - January 2022

Local Name (Japan): Kawa-aisa (カワアイサ) - "River Merganser"
Featured Subspecies: Mergus merganser merganser
Weight: 1300-1700g

Length: 58-72cm

Wingspan: 78-97cm
UK GREEN LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the "saw bills" - ducks with serrated beaks which they use for catching fish as well as other aquatic animals. Though not especially common as a breeding species, it arrives in greater numbers from the continent in the Winter where they can be found on freshwater lakes.  They can also be seen at the coast at some parts of the year.  Otherwise it is confined to the North and Wales for the most part during breeding.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae

Genus: Mergus
Subspecies: M. m. merganser, M. m. comatus, M. m. americanus  

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Scarce breeding species (3,100-3,800 pairs) and scarce Wintering species (12,000 pairs)

 - Seen at Rutland Water, Pitsford Reservoir, Reculver, Keswick and Berwick-upon-Tweed

JAPAN - Winter visitor

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: A pair seen in Akkeshi

Further Notes: Arkive, BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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