Redshank in the blue hour.

Resident, winter visitor from Iceland and passage migrant (birds on passage from Scandinavia/the Baltic breeding areas to west African wintering areas). Highest numbers occur during the early autumn, when there is overlap of the populations.

 

Identification

As the name suggests, its most distinctive feature is the leg colour - bright red. A common wader of wetlands throughout the country, though mainly coastal estuaries in winter. A generally mouse brown bird with dark streaking. Bill medium length and straight, reddish at the base. Legs relatively long. Can occur in quite large numbers at the larger estuaries.

 

Voice

An hyterical, piercing "tew…hoo, tew…hoo", always loud - often scaring other birds away. Persisitent "tew.. tew...tew.." at breeding grounds.

 

Diet

Detect prey visually and feed mostly during the day along the upper shore of estuaries and along muddy river channels. Feed singly or in small groups, and their prey consists mostly of Hydrobia sp., Corophium sp. and nereid worms

 

Breeding

Nests on the ground in grassy tussock, in wet, marshy areas and occasionally heather. Adults often keep guard standing on fence posts or high rocks. Breeds mainly in midlands (especially Shannon Callows) and northern half of the country, but not commonly anywhere in Ireland.

 

Wintering

Winters all around the coasts of Ireland, Britain and many European countries. Favours mudflats, large estuaries and inlets. Smaller numbers at inland lakes and large rivers.

 

 

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