Little Stint (Calidris minuta)
Species
Little Stint (Calidris minuta). Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 19th 2016.
Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 19th 2016.
(1/500th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 14 - 15.5 cm; WS: 27 - 30 cm

The Little Stint is a small wading bird, about the same size as a House Sparrow, with a short straight fine black bill and medium-length black legs. It is brownish-grey above (grey in winter) and it is very white underneath. Juvenile birds have two pale stripes or 'braces' down their back.

It does not breed in Britain, but is a passage migrant to northern Norway and Russia. Most birds seen in Britain are juveniles. It winters in India, the Middle East and across savannah Africa.

It is mainly found on the coast. Around 500 birds pass through in the autumn. The spring migration north occurs further east.

Sightings

19-Sep-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1juv)

12-Oct-2017 : Cley Marshes, Norfolk (13+)
18-Sep-2017 : Lodmoor, Dorset (1)

19-Aug-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)

05-Oct-2013 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
01-May-2013 : The Camargue, France

11-Sep-2011 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

07-Oct-2006 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

25-Sep-2005 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon
19-May-2005 : Castro Marim, Portugal