Wader Quest species seen nº 10: Red Knot.

Red Knot Calidris canutus

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk England.

1st November 2012. Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk England. (Also seen: USA - FL and CA.)

A few small packs on the beach.

Five subspecies of this widespread sandpiper are recognised. C. c. canutus breeds in central Siberia wintering in South Africa and probably Australia; C. c. rogersi breeds in north eastern Russia and winters in Australasia; C. c. roselaari breeds in north west Alaska and winters in southern Florida, Panama and Venezuela; C. c. rufa breeds in the Canadian low arctic and winters in north-east and south South America; C. c. islandica breeds in Canadian high Arctic  and north Greenland and winters in Europe.

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk England.

In the UK we will have seen C. c. islandica. In Florida we would probably have seen C. c. roselaari and in California they will probably have been the same on passage or possibly from the low Canadian Arctic race rufa on their way to South America.

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk England.

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk England.

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk England.

Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk England.



Titchwell RSPB reserve, Norfolk England.

 

Birdlife consider Red Knot to be of Least Concern despite its numbers being in slow decline. The global population is estimated to be over 1,100,00 individuals. The population is estimated to have declined between 14% and 33% over three generations (15 years).

Snettisham RSPB reserve, Norfolk England.

Like all beach shorebirds the main threats to this species are: reclamation of habitat, over exploitation of shellfish, disturbance, it is even hunted illegally in New Zealand.

Titchwell beach, Norfolk England.

For more information on Red Knot see:

Birdlife International species factsheet: http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/speciesfactsheet.php?id=3041

Arkive: http://www.arkive.org/red-knot/calidris-canutus/

Internet Bird Collection: http://ibc.lynxeds.com/species/red-knot-calidris-canutus