Best time to see: Sep to mid May

Key facts

Stocky wader, often forming dense flocks on the mudflats and in flight

Common winter visitor and passage migrant to the UK and Essex, breeding in the Siberian Arctic

Begin arriving in late summer and continue into October, young birds first; leave in breeding plumage April/May

Recognition

In winter grey above, white below; in summer mottled chestnut upperparts, chestnut below; 25 cm

Larger than dunlin with short bill; feeds fast on shoreline, constantly picking at food items

Eats molluscs, crustaceans and worms; shows wingbar in flight