Waders

Sandpipers and Allies (Scolopacidae) The Scolopacidae family encompasses a diverse group of small to medium-sized wading birds, including sandpipers, curlews, godwits, snipes, and shanks. These highly active shorebirds are characterised by their slender builds, relatively long legs, and distinctive bills that vary considerably across species, from the straight, needle-like bill of the dunlin to the dramatically curved bill of the curlew. Most species display cryptic brown, grey, or buff plumage, often with intricate barring and streaking that provides excellent camouflage against sand and mud. In the UK, Scolopacidae are prominent features of coastal environments, estuaries, and wetlands throughout the year. Many species breed in Arctic or northern regions and pass through Britain during spring and autumn migration, whilst others overwinter in substantial numbers along our coasts. Some species gather in impressive flocks during migration and winter, creating spectacular aerial displays when disturbed.

Oystercatchers are noticeable, sturdy shorebirds with striking black or black-and-white feathers, bright orange-red beaks, and pink legs. There are twelve species found along coasts all over the world, including in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Their sideways flattened, chisel-like beak is perfectly suited for prising open shellfish and searching for small sea creatures. These noisy birds live on rocky shores, sandy beaches, river mouths, and sometimes in grassy areas near water. Their loud, high-pitched calls are a familiar sound by the coast. Most species fiercely defend their territory during breeding time, making simple nests by scraping the ground on shingle or sand. They fly strongly and directly, showing off bold wing patterns in the black-and-white species.

This group includes a wide range of large to very large water birds that share a life spent mostly in or near water and have special ways of feeding. The group includes pelicans, known for their huge throat pouches, long-necked herons and egrets, curved-billed ibises and spoonbills, and the unusual shoebill. They all have feet that are partly webbed or have long toes, helping them to wade or swim, and most have bills shaped in ways that suit how they catch their food. Their feathers can be anything from pure white to dark grey, often with decorative feathers during the breeding season. These birds live in wetlands, along coasts, and near rivers and lakes all over the world, except in Antarctica. The most variety is found in tropical and subtropical areas. Some species are found in Britain, either living there year-round, passing through during migration, or appearing occasionally. Most of these birds nest in groups, making nests from sticks in trees, reedbeds, or on the ground close to water. They mostly eat fish, frogs, and water insects, using different methods to catch their prey, from quietly waiting to catch food to diving suddenly into the water.

Plovers and lapwings are small to medium-sized shorebirds with compact bodies, relatively large eyes, and short bills. Most have bold patterns on their feathers, especially on the head and chest, often showing strong black, white, and brown colours. Lapwings are usually bigger, with broader, rounded wings, and often have crests or fleshy growths on their heads. Plovers are generally smaller and have sleeker shapes. They live all over the world in places like coasts, mudflats, grasslands, and farmland. Many of these birds use clever tricks when nesting, pretending to be hurt to distract predators and keep them away from their eggs or young. Their way of feeding is quite different from other shorebirds: they run in short bursts, stop to look around, and then peck at food on the surface instead of digging into the mud. In Britain, the lapwing is a common bird that breeds here. The ringed plover and little ringed plover also nest in certain areas. Several other species can be seen passing through or staying during the winter along the British coasts.

Stilts and Avocets are graceful birds with long legs, known for their striking black and white feathers and very thin legs. One of their most noticeable features is their special bills: stilts have straight, thin bills for picking food carefully, while avocets have bills that curve upwards and move side to side in shallow water when they feed. All these birds have partly webbed feet, which is unusual for shorebirds. They prefer shallow wetlands, coastal lagoons, and salt pans in both temperate and tropical areas around the world. Their feeding methods vary with the water depth. Stilts pick food from the surface, while avocets sweep their bills through shallow water to catch prey. These birds are very vocal and social, often nesting together in colonies in open wetland areas. Some species travel long distances between their breeding sites and winter homes.