Green sandpiper

Unlike the greenfinch or the green woodpecker, there is not much green to be seen on the green sandpiper (Tringa ochropus), but just enough to distinguish it from the common and wood sandpipers. It is a freshwater wading bird that breeds in southern and central Scandinavia and winters in Africa. It is seen in the British Isles usually during its passage in spring and autumn, although some green sandpipers spend the winter in southern England and it has been known for the occasional pair to breed. A good place to see them is the London Wetland Centre (Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust).

Appearance

The green sandpiper is about 23 centimetres (9 inches) in length, which makes it the largest of the three sandpiper species that are regularly seen in the UK. It is like the common sandpiper in build, being stout in appearance and with shortish legs for a wader. Its bill, straight and pointed, is the longest of the three species.

The plumage of the green sandpiper is similar as between males and females and consists of dark olive-brown upperparts (the nearest to green that the bird gets) and white underparts. The breast is streaky brown. The broad wings are dark brown both above and below. The rump is white and the short tail is banded in dark brown and white.

Behaviour

The green sandpiper is a shy and solitary bird that is easily alarmed, flying off in a low zigzag followed by a rapid ascent, similar to that of a snipe. With its colouring and jerky flight, the green sandpiper resembles a large house martin.

When at rest the green sandpiper has a characteristic bobbing movement, and it also bobs its head and tail when walking, but does not adopt the “teetering” pose of the common sandpiper.

Green sandpipers feed on insects, larvae, worms and small invertebrates.

Breeding

Green sandpipers return to their breeding grounds between March and May. They are unusual among sandpipers in preferring to nest in trees, taking over the abandoned nests of other birds. They are therefore more likely to be found alongside lakes and rivers with wooded banks.

The usual clutch is four eggs, which both partners incubate in turn, for up to 23 days, although the female will spend more time at the nest in total. The chicks only stay in the nest for one or two days, after which they fall over the edge of the nest to the ground, usually on to moss or soft grass if their parents have been sensible in their choice of a nesting site.

The chicks are taught how to feed by their parents, who look after them until they are mature, at which point all the birds will fly to more open areas in marshland or habitats such as mudflats alongside ponds and lakes. Regular UK wintering locations include sewage works and watercress farms.

© John Welford