summer

summer winter European distribution summer

Identification

The Dunlin is our commonest small wader but its fat shape and slightly down-curved bill are worth studying so you'll find it easier to pick out something rarer. Most Dunlin in spring and autumn show signs of either the black belly which is gained in summer or black spots on the flanks which are typical of juvenile plumage. Only in winter plumage do they have completely clean flanks and bellies and then you have to rely on shapes and sizes to identify them. In flight, the Dunlin is one of a dozen small waders which show a pale wing bar and white sides to the tail.

Habitat

Breeds on grassy moorland and peat bogs. Winters on estuaries, saltmarshes and sandy shores.

Behaviour

The male performs his trilling song from the ground, often from a raised rock or tussock.

Migration

The race C.a.artica winters mainly in Africa, C.a.schinzii winters primarily in southern Europe and Africa, passing mostly through Ireland, and C.a.alpina winters mostly in western Europe, especially on the Waddensee. Some birds of this race winter in the Mediterranean and return to their breeding areas via the Black Sea.

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, Dunlin is classed as Common: common species, including species that are certain or probable escapees from captivity when occurring in the British Isles. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

Salhouse, Norfolk 07/02/2010	Salhouse, Norfolk 07/02/2010	Salthouse, Norfolk 07/02/2010	Rampside, Cumbria 05/02/2010	W Kirby Marine Lake, Cheshire 30/01/2010
Whitley Bay, Northumbs 31/01/2010	N.Wirral, Cheshire 30/01/2010	N.Wirral, Cheshire 30/01/2010	N.Wirral, Cheshire 30/01/2010	Steart, Somerset 02/01/2010

 View all pictures of Dunlin

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

Belarus
Britain
Denmark
Estonia
Faroe Islands
Finland
Germany
Greenland
Iceland
Ireland
Latvia
Lithuania
Norway
Poland
Russia
Svalbard
Sweden

http://www.avibirds.com/euhtml/Dunlin.html   Avibirds: Dunlin	Edit this link
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http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob5120.htm   BTO BirdFacts: Dunlin	Edit this link
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