Knot

The Knot is a dumpy, short-legged, stocky wading bird. In winter, the Knot is grey above and white below but in summer the chest, belly and face are brick red, hence the name Red Knot in north America. In flight, it shows a pale rump and a faint wing-stripe.

The Knot forms huge flocks in winter which wheel and turn in flight, flashing their pale underwings as they twist and turn. They can be seen on large muddy estuaries around the coast with the greatest numbers found on The Wash, Morecambe Bay, the Thames, Humber and Dee estuaries, the Solway Firth and Strangford Lough. Large numbers of birds visit the UK in winter from their Arctic breeding grounds.

Date: 20th June 2013

Location: Balnakeil Bay, Sutherland