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

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