How to identify

The Knot is a dumpy, legged, stocky 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. Birds forms huge flocks in winter, flashing their pale underwings as they twist and turn. Many Knots use UK estuaries as feeding grounds, both on migration and in winter, and therefore the population is vulnerable to any changes such as barrages, sea-level rises and human disturbance. Large numbers of birds visit the UK in winter from their Arctic breeding grounds.

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

Key facts