Green Sandpiper
Tringa ochropus
Length 23cm

Fairly common passage migrant throughout Britain and Ireland and local but regular winter visitor to S England from September to April. Always seen near water and often first observed when flushed from ditch or pond margin. Then looks black and white with striking white rump; flight usually accompanied by yelping, trisyllabic call. Migrants occur on variety of wetlands but wintering birds often on watercress beds. Has curious gait, constantly bobbing body up and down. Straight bill and yellowish green legs seen at close range. Upperparts dark and underparts white; tail shows three broad, dark terminal bands.