Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)

OTHER NAMES: Dusky Redshank, Greater Redshank

Latin Etymology: Tringa (bird named by Aristotle) erythropus ("red-footed")

Adult Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus) in Autumn moult plumage at Frampton Marshes, Lincolnshire - August 2023

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 125-160g  /  Length: 29-33cm  /  Wingspan: 59-66cm
UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The rarest of the three "shanks" found in the UK, the Spotted Redshank is more delicate and pale than the redshank.  Spotted Redshanks are primarily passage migrants, turning up in Autumn and Spring although a few do overwinter, such as the one photographed here.   Finding one can be tricky - you need to get the hang of seeing the differences between them and a Common Redshank which is hard to do without actually seing one in the first place.  Key identification features include the longer thinner beak with a black upper jaw, larger pale stripe above the eye and general paler colours overall.

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

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A rare passage migrant (540 birds) and very rare Winter migrant (98 birds)

 - A bird at Oare Marshes in September 2012 plus a bird at Crayford Marshes in in February 2012 . 

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

Common Redshank (Tringa totanus)

OTHER NAMES: Redshank, Red Leg, Red-legged Horseman, Warden of the Marshes

Latin Etymology: Tringa (unidentified bird named by Aristotle) totanus (Italian species name)

Adult Winter plumage Common Redshank (subspecies T. t.robusta) at Herne Bay, Kent -  February 2011

Featured Subspecies: Tringa totanus robusta
Weight: 110-130kg  /  Length: 27-29cm  /  Wingspan: 62cm

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most common waders in the UK, it can be found widely across the country, both inland and on the coast. It is relatively large and is, as the name suggests, most easily identified by it's bright red legs, although it is worth noting that on juveniles they can appear yellowish. It is massively more common that the similar spotted redshank although it is well worth learning to distinguish the two just on the off-chance you find one of the latter species.  Generally speaking Redshank are one of the easiest waders to see and photograph.

Related Species:
Order: Charadriiformes
Family: Scolopacidae
Genus: Tringa
Subspecies: T. t. robusta, T. t. totanus, T. t. ussuriensis, T. t. terrignotae, T. t. craggi, T. t. eurhina 

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Local breeding species (25,000 pairs) and locally abundant Winter visitor (130,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at sites including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Pitsford Reservoir, Herne Bay, Oare Marshes and Elmley Marshes

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

.