Turnstone
Arenaria interpres
Length 23cm

Common, non-breeding visitor to coasts all around Britain and Ireland. Can be seen in most months but majority of birds arrive from August onwards and stay until late April. Unobtrusive and well camouflaged and so easily overlooked. Winter adult and juvenile variably marked with black, brown and white on upperparts, usually showing clear demarcation between dark breast and white underparts. In breeding plumage, has orange-brown feathers on back and black and white markings on head. Legs reddish orange. Bill short and triangular; effective when turning stones and tideline debris in search of sandhoppers.