Little Stint

Little Stint - Calidris minuta

Description

The Little Stint is a tiny wading bird, smaller than a Dunlin, 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. Autumn birds have two pale stripes or 'braces' down the back, which Dunlin lack.

Similar Species

Simialr to Dunlin which is slightly larger overall and has a slightly larger bill.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

The best place to see them is in suitable habitat on the east and west coast of the UK in autumn.

When to see it

Mainly Aug-Sept; some birds late-Apr-early June.

Life History

Feeds mainly on insects but also on crustaceans and molluscs.

UK Status

It does not breed in the UK, but is a passage migrant, with most birds being juveniles seen in autumn. It is much scarcer in spring, when small numbers of adults are seen, and a very few birds spend the winter here, most migrating to Africa.

VC55 Status

Rare in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

No additional images available for this species.

All NatureSpot records