Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropus (Linnaeus, 1758)
GE
GRESA
5530
Family: Charadriiformes > Scolopacidae
Most Green Sandpipers are seen during their autumn migration, when they are passing through Britain on journeys from Scandinavia to their African wintering grounds.
They enjoy the clear chalk waters of south-east England, often using old water-cress beds or small ditches, and it is here that a few individuals may choose to spend the winter instead of moving south. An encounter with a Green Sandpiper is often a fleeting view of a dark bird with a white rump, dashing away and making a thin repeated whistle.
Very small numbers of Green Sandpipers breed in northern Scotland, using habitats similar to the tundra more typically used further north.
Identification
Green Sandpiper identification is sometimes difficult. The following article may help when identifying Green Sandpiper.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Green Sandpiper, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Flight call
Call
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Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
DISTRIBUTION
During the winter, Green Sandpipers are widely spread throughout much of lowland England with densities greatest in coastal lowlands, major vales and river valleys. Green Sandpipers are very rare breeders in Britain, with three pairs breeding in Scotland during 2008–11.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
No. occupied in breeding season | 4 |
% occupied in breeding season | 0.1 |
No. occupied in winter | 890 |
% occupied in winter | 29 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Perhaps as a result of recent milder winters, the number of Green Sandpipers overwintering appears to have increased, with 56% more 10-km squares occupied during 2007–11 compared to in the 1980s. Most gains have been in the lowlands of England, Wales and southern Ireland, though there has also been a notable extension of the winter range into north England and central Scotland.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | +100% |
% change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +56.4% |
SEASONALITY
Green Sandpiper is a regular wintering species and very common autumn passage, with first birds arriving in June.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
An overview of year-round movements for the whole of Europe can be seen on the EuroBirdPortal viewer.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Green Sandpiper, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
Maximum Age from Ringing | 9 years 11 months 18 days (set in 1998) |
BIOMETRICS
Wing Length | Adults | 143.6±4.7 | Range 135–152mm, N=77 |
Juveniles | 144±5 | Range 135-152mm, N=95 |
Body Weight | Adults | 85.5±12.1 | Range 70.0–110g, N=59 |
Juveniles | 81.7±12.7 | Range 65.0–110g, N=70 |
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
Ring size | C2 or B+ |
Field Codes | 2-letter: GE | 5-letter code: GRESA | Euring: 5530 |
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Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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