Spotted redshank

Latin Tringa erythropus
Estonian Tumetilder

Also known as: black redshank, dusky redshank

Status in Estonia
Non-breeding summer and migratory bird.

Description
In contrast to the common redshank, which has a more slender build, longer legs and a longer, finer beak with a very small downward bend at the tip, the base of the beak is only red on the lower part of the beak. A white eyebrow is clearly visible in winter and juvenile plumage. The white stripe continues at the preen gland area as a narrow white ‘crack’. The male bird is completely black in summer, only the top part is slightly dotted and the legs are also black. The female bird has a lot more white dots on the belly and sides. In winter, both adult birds are light grey on the top side and pure white on the underside, the front of the neck and ‘face’ are dirty white. The juvenile bird’s underside is uniformly streaked, and the edges of the large coverts and tertials are finely streaked. The legs are red.

Size
Body length 29–33 cm, wingspan 59–66 cm, body mass 125–160 g.

Similar species
Common redshank.

Distribution
The spotted redshank breeds in Scandinavian countries, Northern Europe and Siberia. It winters in Southern Europe and Africa. It is an uncommon migrant in Estonia and a rare non-breeding summer bird.

Population
It does not breed in Estonia and is an uncommon migrant.

Occurrence in Estonia
It can be seen from April to May and from July to September.

Diet
It feeds on insects, crustaceans, molluscs and earthworms. When hunting from the water, it eats small fish as well.

Habitat
It nests in sparse coniferous forests in the vicinity of raised bogs and tundras.

Nesting
The nest is built on uneven ground with plenty of tall tufts of grass. The straw lining in the hollow is somewhat sparse. In May, the female bird lays 4 eggs, which are primarily incubated by the male bird for 23–24 days. After laying eggs, the female sits on the nest for only a few days before flying to Central Europe to begin moulting. The chicks are nidifugous and begin roaming around nearby as soon as their down feathers dry. Young birds can fly when they are around 25–30 days old, at which point they form flocks and go to feed and rest together.

Conservation status and protection
Not under protection.

Distribution and population in Lääne County
The spotted redshank is a common migrant in the coastal areas of Lääne County. During their spring migration stopovers, birds can be spotted throughout April and May. You may see the first birds start their autumn migration as early as the end of June. These are female birds who have finished laying eggs in polar climate breeding sites. Male birds take care of incubating and raising the young, which means the female birds migrate away from nesting sites quite fast. The last spotted redshanks can be spotted here in October.
In Matsalu, spotted redshanks having a rest can be seen most often in Haeska and Põgari. Spotted redshanks can be found in a variety of locations across Noarootsi, including Tahu Bay and Riguldi Beach.