Taken at Hayling Island, Hants, on March 5th 2025. (© David Hastings)
(1/1000th sec at f11. Click image for larger version)

Description

L: 30 - 34 cm; WS: 55 - 62 cm

The Greenshank is medium-sized wader with a dark grey back and white underparts. Its long green legs and slightly up-turned bill help to distinguish it from other waders.

It is largely a passage migrant in the British Isles, en route to and from its wintering grounds in Africa and its breeding grounds in northern Scandinavia and Russia. Some birds over-winter in south-west England and around 1000 pairs breed in northern Scotland.

On migration it can be found across the UK, inland around lakes and freshwater marshes, as well as at coastal wetlands and estuaries.

Greenshank call regularly, and are seen singly and in small groups.

The Greenshank has green status on the British list.

Sightings