Redshank

For my Saturday post today I am showing you the

Redshank - Tringa totanus. 

Redshanks are in the family of sandpipers and are long-legged creatures, slender, graceful and upstanding, but of deceptively modest size, their length not much bigger than that of a blackbird (10.8 – 11.2ins).  Long, reddy-orange legs give the Redshank its common name, whilst the bill is lengthy, straight and also reddy coloured.  Their plumage though, is of more subdued hue - essentially brown above, and white with darker mottling below.

 

They weigh 3.88ozs.  Notice they have an eye ring.

They have a typically fast, erratic flight, white inner trailing wing edges and rump which is unmistakable. And if that is not enough, the Redshank's agitated, far-carrying cries - tlu-leu-leu - should clinch identification.

 

With good reason, Redshanks were once known as ‘yelpers of the marsh’, for the slightest hint of provocation – the threatening outline of a distant carrion crow, a dog or walker on the horizon, even a pony straying a bit too close for comfort - will usually bring the same noisy, babbling Redshank response.

Many Redshank are resident in the UK.  However others breed in Iceland.  Habitats are marches and wet grasslands.

Many Redshanks apparently pair for life.  Males use early morning, stiff winged display flights to impress the female in their lives, and also to send a signal of aggression to other males.

Redshank nests are, though, often incredibly well concealed, no more than shallow depressions lined with grass stems and leaves beside a tussock or other protective vegetation. Overhanging, intertwined leaves and stems often form a canopy, with access through an entrance at the side.

Four eggs are normally laid. Young Redshanks hatch after around 24 days, complete with a covering of down, and are immediately mobile, fledgling after a further 25-35 days.

Predatory crows, however, habitually pose a threat, hanging around the breeding grounds, waiting patiently for adult Redshanks to leave the nest unguarded.

Juveniles may have greenish/yellowish legs.

They find their food mostly by sights and not probing in the mud or sand.

A group of sandpipers has many collective nouns including a "cluster", "contradiction", "fling" and "time-step".

A Redshank enjoys a stretch of the wings.

 

Redshanks have been joined by Godwits and Black headed Gulls.

I hope you have enjoyed this lovely wader, the Redshank.

Thank you for visiting.

I am linking with The Bird D'Pot