Lesser Yellowlegs

The Lesser Yellowlegs is a large sandpiper with brown-streaked upperparts, white underparts and streaked upper breast and sides. A white lower rump and dark-barred tail are visible in flight. The bill is straight and uniformly dark grey and the legs are long and yellow.

The Lesser Yellowlegs breeds from western Alaska and Canada east to western Quebec. They spend winters on coasts from southern California and Virginia southward and along the Gulf coast. The preferred habitats include coastal mudflats and lagoons, inland lakes, ponds, rivers, sewage works and flooded grasslands.

In the UK, the Lesser Yellowlegs is a very scarce visitor with typically 5 records per year.

This photo is of a first winter bird that took up residence in the creeks and flooded fields around Thornham Harbour in north Norfolk in January 2007.

Date: 26/01/07

Location: Thornham, Norfolk