Curlew Sandpiper

Calidris ferruginea

Gobadán crotaigh

Status: Scarce passage migrant - occurs while on passage from northern Siberia south to winter in Africa between August & October.

Identification: An autumn passage migrant, rarely seen in Ireland outside August to October. A little larger than the similar Dunlin, and most easily distinguished by its longer legs, longer decurved bill and much cleaner underparts. Almost all Curlew Sandpipers occurring here are juveniles, which show a clean white belly, warm peachy tones on the breast and pale-fringed wing feathers giving a scaly effect to the upperwing. Occurs in very small groups or singly, in coastal marshes and estuaries, usually with Dunlin.

Call: Trilling or jingling 'chirrup'.