Lesser Yellowlegs - Tringa flavipes

Description

Similar to Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) but smaller. Long, slender neck, long wings and long legs. Straight fine and dark bill and legs always bright yellow. Distinguished in flight by square white rump patch.

Similar Species

Distinguished from Greater Yellowlegs which is larger and has a slightly longer bill which is heavier and slightly upturned

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Frequents the short grass areas of marshes, muddy freshwater pools or marshy perimeters of lakes.

When to see it

Mainly late summer and autumn.

Life History

Nests on the ground in open, dry locations in central Alaska and Canada. Winters in the West Indies and South America.

UK Status

A regular vagrant with about ten records a year.

VC55 Status

Rare vagrant in Leicestershire and Rutland where there are few records.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Lesser Yellowlegs
Species group:
Birds
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Charadriiformes
Family:
Scolopacidae
Records on NatureSpot:
2
First record:
25/09/2004 (Chris Lythall)
Last record:
26/11/2010 (Jones, Dick)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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