Calidris sp.


(Red) Knot are primarily scarce autumn migrants at Rutland Water and so are usually either adults in winter plumage like the one on the left seen on 13 September 2002, or in juveile plumage like the one on the right seen on 22 August 2003.
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Pictures: Matthew Berriman
Knot breed in the high arctic but the adult below, with two others, was present on 18 May 2002 showing off its breeding plumage.



Sanderling are primarily spring passage migrants at Rutland Water and are most frequently seen in May. However, this bird was photographed by Matthew Berriman in the north arm of  reservoir on 11 August 2002.

 Picture: Andy Brett 

 


Little Stint occur as passage migrants at Rutland water. They are very rare in the spring and uncommon in the autumn.

This bird was photographed by Matthew Berriman in the north arm of the reservoir on 24 August 2003.

 



Photo: Roy Howell
This Pectoral Sandpiper arrived during September 2002 and provided some excellent views from Shovelor and Lapwing Hides. This American vagrant has an abruptly ending breast band, coming to a point in the centre and the picture shows this fieldmark very clearly.

The picture below is thought to be a different bird which was present on 4 October 2002.


Photo: Matthew Berriman

Curlew Sandpipers occur as passage migrants at Rutland water. They are very rare in the spring and uncommon in the autumn.

This bird was photographed by Matthew Berriman.on the edge of Lagoon III on 13 September 2000.

Another Curlew Sandpiper pictured on 18 July 2003 also by Matthew Berriman. It is just begin to moult out of its summer breeding plumage.


 

It is rare to see a Purple Sandpiper at all in Rutland, but as these remarkable pictures show, this one allowed Matthew Berriman an extremely close view.

The bird was at Burley Fish Ponds on 4 November 2003.