Knot (Calidris canutus)
Species
Knot (Calidris canutus). Summer plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on May 13th 2016.
Summer plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on May 13th 2016.
(1/100th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Knot (Calidris canutus). Winter plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on January 16th 2024.
Winter plumage. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on January 16th 2024.
(1/800th sec at f8. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Knot (Calidris canutus). Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 30th 2018.
Juvenile. Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 30th 2018.
(1/640th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 21 - 26 cm; WS: 47 - 53 cm

The Knot is a dumpy, short-legged wading bird. In winter, it is grey above and white below; in summer the chest, belly and face are brick-red. In flight, it shows a pale rump and a faint wing-stripe.

It does not breed in Britain but is a winter visitor and passage migrant in spring and autumn, journeying to and from its high Arctic breeding grounds.

It is mainly found on the coast in winter. Around 300000 birds over-winter in the UK.

Huge flocks form on estuaries in winter. These wheel and turn in flight, flashing their pale underwings as they twist and turn.

Its conservation status is amber, as the population is vulnerable to changes such as barrages, sea-level rises and human disturbance.

Sightings

16-Jan-2024 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)

03-Feb-2020 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (6)

03-Dec-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
04-Oct-2019 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk
19-Sep-2019 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1juv)
20-May-2019 : Carnan, South Uist (1)

30-Aug-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1 juv)
28-Aug-2018 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1 juv)

13-May-2016 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (2)

22-Oct-2015 : Snettisham, Norfolk

29-Oct-2013 : Slimbridge, Glos

27-Jun-2012 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (300+)
25-Jun-2012 : Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk (300+)

26-Aug-2006 : Spurn Head, Yorks
09-Apr-2006 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon

24-Oct-2002 : Hermosa Beach, California