Wader ID Quiz

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Ruff, note: yellow legs (some males are more reddish), boldly patterned upperparts, lightly streaked head, and shortish, dark bill which appears slightly downward curved at the tip. In flight the birds show a faint white wing bar and bright white areas either side of the rump which forms a dark ‘V’ shaped patch in the middle.

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Turnstone, note: small, slightly upturned beak, broad black breast band, bright white underparts, short, stout bright orange legs, mottled plumage on back of various shades of brown and black, and patchy, streaked head markings of brown and white. In flight, note the short white wing bar against otherwise dark wing, white shoulder patches, and white central patch and white base to tail.

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Redshank, note: bright red, medium length legs, plain brown upperparts, plain brown head with just the hint of an supercilium (eyebrow), and mid length, two tone beak of bright red and black. In flight the bird shows a distinctive array of 3 bright white triangular markings, one along the back, the other two along the trailing edge of the wing.

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Knot – note the medium length dark bill, short, greenish/yellow legs, white supercilium and overall light grey plumage with flecks on breast and flanks. In flight there is a dark patch on the outer leading edge of the wing which has a thin white wing stripe, and a grey mottled rump with grey tail

Sorry that’s wrong. These are Golden Plover, note: they are very sociable, have a short, pointed bill, bright golden plumage and liberal spotting on golden-washed breast and flanks. In flight, a flock will ‘sparkle’ as they alternate their golden upperparts with bright white underparts. They also show a spangled rump and tail, and muted white wing bar.

Sorry that’s wrong. These are Sanderling, note: the small size, small, straight, black beak, bright white underparts, and black legs. In flight they show a broad white wing bar bordered by dark feathering, and a grey tail.

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Lapwing, note: dark crown and long crest, largely green upperparts, russet undertail coverts, and dark breast band. Note also white underparts and underwing lining, broad ended, black primaries and trailing edge of wing.

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Ringed Plover, note the bold black bands on the head and breast, bright orange legs and uniform brown back. In flight the bold head and chest patterning are very obvious as is the bright white wing bar and clean white underbelly

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Dunlin, note Black decurved beak, brown streaked breast band with clean white belly, and very dark/blackish legs. In flight it shows narrow white wing bar against dark wing, and a most distinctive dark central area along the rump which is bordered by bright white.

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Grey Plover, note: short, stout bill, grey toned plumage across upper parts, and grey spotting on flanks and underside. In flight there is a very noticeable jet black ‘armpit’, bright white (sometimes faintly barred) rump, and, white wing bar against black primary feathering.

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Spotted Redshank, note:  long bright red legs, mottled upperparts with ‘notched’ feather edging, quite bold white supercilium which is wider in front of the eye (see top right inset image), and longer, slightly drooped beak which is red at the base only. In flight, the bird shows a bright white ‘V’ extending from the rump all along the back, and no white patches on the wings. Being a longer legged bird that the Redshank, the legs extend a significant distance beyond the tail

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Purple Sandpiper, note: orange coloured, decurved beak, smoky grey breast band and streaked underparts, pale orange legs and uniform grey toned upperparts with smooth, smoky grey head. In flight it shows a white wing bar against dark grey wing, and dark central patch on rump and tail with white on sides.

Sorry that’s wrong. This is a Greenshank, note: long pale green legs, patterned upperparts with white feather edges, lightly streaked head with no striping above the eye, and long, relatively thick, dark green and black, slightly upturned bill. In flight (inset), it appears uniformly dark winged and shows a prominent white ‘V’ extending from lightly barred tail and all along the back.