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.

Conservation Concern: Green-listed in Ireland. The European population has been assessed as Not Evaluated as it is primarily a passage migrant in the region.

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.

Similar Species: Dunlin

Call: Trilling or jingling 'chirrup'.

Diet: Feeds on invertebrates found on mudflats.

Breeding: Does not breed in Ireland. Passage birds seen in Ireland breed on the tundra in northern Siberia.

Wintering: Scarce winter visitor to Ireland. The majority of the European population winters in the Mediterranean and tropical Africa.

Where to see: Estuaries such as the North Bull in County Dublin, Tacumshin in County Wexford and Ballycotton in County Cork are reliable sites to see Curlew Sandpipers.

Monitored by: Irish Wetland Bird Survey