summer

summer in flight European distribution summer

Identification

Temminck's Stints are similar to Little Stints, but differ most obviously in their plain, relatively unmarked back. The whole head and upper breast are a dull grey-brown which together with the plain wings suggests a tiny Common Sandpiper. In theory the legs should be green or yellow but you may have to look hard to see they are not black. Best of all the bird should show a crouching stance and an exceptionally long-looking rear end. A combination of all these factors will clinch the identification. In flight, both stints have white blocks in the sides of the tail but only in the Temminck's Stint does this white extend down to the corners of the tail.

Habitat

Breeds beside lakes, in river deltas and on wasteground. Occurs on passage by freshwater pools.

Behaviour

Performs a delightful display in which it hovers like a large moth whilst trilling constantly. When singing, either in the air or on the top of a bush, it spreads its tail to display the prominent white outer tail feathers.

Migration

Most European birds winter south of the Sahara, returning north in April-May. They are scarce passage migrants in most of Europe, usually much less numerous than Little Stints.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Temminck's Stint is classed as Scarce: broadly speaking, species that are covered in British Birds' annual review of scarce species (and forms of similar rarity).

Hornoya Island, Vrangerfjord, Norway 07/06/2010	Rigifa Pool, Aberdeenshire 26/06/2010	Rigifa Pool, Aberdeenshire 26/06/2010	Rigifa Pool, Aberdeenshire 26/06/2010	Washington WWT, Durham 06/06/2010
Caerlaverock, Dumf & Gall 26/05/2010	Caerlaverock, Dumf & Gall 25/05/2010	Caerlaverock, Dumf & Gall 25/05/2010	Welney, Norfolk 22/05/2010	Kirkby on Bain GPs, Lincs 15/05/2010

 View all pictures of Temminck's Stint

Temminck's Stint breeds in the following countries (Bird News Extra subscribers will see population statistics and information on trends for each country):

Britain
Estonia
Finland
Norway
Russia
Sweden

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob5020.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Temminck's Stint	Edit this link
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	Temminck's Stint	Monday 15th May 2006
	This scarce stint is often difficult to connect with. Find out the sites where you can increase your chances, and learn the key identification features for finding your own.
	Temminck's Stints in Spring 2004 - A Record influx	Thursday 29th July 2004
	During spring 2004 an exceptional movement of Temminck's Stints took place, with a minimum of 226 birds reported on Bird News Extra.

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