UK Wildlife

Curlew Sandpiper Scarce Passage Migrant

The curlew sandpiper is a small wader with a distinctive curved bill that passes through UK wetlands mainly in autumn, often in coastal scrapes alongside dunlin and other small waders.

Key Facts

Curlew sandpiper has declined as a passage migrant, reflecting breeding ground problems
Distinguished from dunlin by decurved bill, longer legs and white rump in flight
Breeding population on Siberian tundra may be affected by Arctic warming
Autumn passage numbers vary greatly between years
Most records are of young birds in autumn migration to Africa

Welfare Considerations

Curlew sandpiper decline as a passage migrant reflects changes in Siberian breeding grounds, possibly linked to climate change affecting lemming cycles that influence Arctic predator pressure on wader nests.

What You Can Do

Record curlew sandpiper through BTO Birdtrack to track passage migration
Support wetland scrape creation that provides habitat for passage waders
Support Arctic research programmes that study wader breeding ecology