Dazzling in its breeding finery, with vivid rusty back and black belly patch, the Dunlin was once called the Red-backed Sandpiper. It’s now named for its nonbreeding plumage, a mousy gray-brown or “dun” color. Dunlin are an abundant species that nests around the world’s arctic regions.

The dunlin (Calidris alpina) is a small wader in the genus Calidris. The English name is a dialect form of "dunling", first recorded in 1531–1532. It derives from dun, "dull brown", with the suffix -ling, meaning a person or thing with the given quality. [2] It is a circumpolar breeder in Arctic or subarctic regions.

Spending the winter farther north than most of its relatives, this species is a familiar sight along the outer beaches during the cold months, as far north as New England and even southern Alaska. It is often in large flocks; in flight, these flocks may twist and bank in unison, in impressive aerial maneuvers.

Small, plump shorebird with droopy bill. Breeding plumage is distinctive with rufous or brown back and black belly. In fall and winter, plain grayish-brown above with white belly. Often in large flocks on mudflats and beaches, sometimes mixing with other shorebirds.

Dazzling in its breeding finery, with vivid rusty back and black belly patch, the Dunlin was once called the Red-backed Sandpiper. It’s now named for its nonbreeding plumage, a mousy gray-brown or “dun” color. Dunlin are an abundant species that nests around the world’s arctic regions.

Found along the coast all year-round, the dunlin is a small sandpiper that breeds and winters in the UK. It can be seen in its upland breeding grounds in summer, when it turns brick-red above and sports a black patch on its belly.

Enjoy a ramble around the edges of the River Adur estuary, a wonderland for wading birds and wildfowl where two crucial coastal habitats meet. This is a rolling, rugged expanse of precious peatland and mountain scenery where lizards scurry and Hen Harriers soar. Take a walk through reedbeds and along the estuary to see waterbirds and dragonflies.

Dunlin is a widespread visitor around most of the coast of the UK in winter, present in very large numbers on some estuaries. It has a more restricted distribution as a breeding species in upland areas and in north and west Scotland.

Nov 27, 2024 · Dunlin, (Calidris alpina), one of the most common and sociable birds of the sandpiper group. The dunlin is a member of the family Scolopacidae (order Charadriiformes). It is about 20 cm (8 inches) long and has a bill curved downward at the tip.

Sep 7, 2024 · Discover the Dunlin, a fascinating shorebird known for its distinct features and behaviors. This comprehensive guide covers identification tips, habitat preferences, and feeding habits while exploring their migratory patterns and social dynamics.