Birds and wildlife

Whimbrel

Numenius phaeopusGroup: Sandpipers, snipes and phalaropesUK Conservation status:Red

How to identify

The Whimbrel is a large wading bird. It has longish legs and a long bill, which curves near the tip. It is brownish above and whitish below. In flight, it shows a white 'V' shape up its back from its tail. In the UK, this species only breeds in north Scotland. It is a passage migrant to other areas in spring and autumn on its way from and to its wintering areas in Africa. The Shetland and Orkney breeding population has been slowly increasing. It is a Schedule 1 species of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, making it an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb Whimbrels.

Call

Whimbrel

Dougie Preston / xeno-canto

Key

  1. Resident
  2. Passage
  3. Summer
  4. Winter
* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

Where best to see them

Key facts