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Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus)

The Spotted Redshank is one of the best time-keepers among waders, or indeed, among any birds – take a look at its summer schedule in Finland, by way of example. Here the Spotted Redshanks invariably arrive on their breeding grounds between the 1st and 8th of May (usually on 4th). They then breed and leave at intervals according to age and sex; the females depart on or about 10th June and travel down to the Waddensee off Northern Germany to moult. Meanwhile the males and juveniles leave the breeding areas in the second half of July and in August and join the females. Everyone travels south, mainly to Africa, in September. Few bird species follow such tight schedules.

Taking in the detail, you might have noticed that female Spotted Redshanks only stay in the breeding areas for about six weeks. That is a light burden for any reproducing bird, and the females manage to work it by delegating most of the incubation and all the chick-rearing to the male – they simply lay the eggs, sit for a few incubating stints and take off. It’s quick, but it’s efficient, and there isn’t much of a pair-bond with the male to leave behind anyway.

Spotted Redshanks avoid competition with Common Redshanks by feeding in deeper water. They have longer legs and longer bills, and are better able to wade, swim or even up-end, like ducks, with head and neck submerged. They often feed socially, many individuals moving this way and that in an effort to panic and confuse shoals of small fish. At times they will also perform co-ordinated rushes, with many birds running abreast, bills half submerged in the water.

Spotted Redshank, winter

Spotted Redshank, winter, Dorset, UK (Dave Kjaer))