Green Sandpiper is a very rare breeding bird in the UK, with a small number of breeding attempts recorded from Scotland each year; although few in number, there has been a strong increase over the past 20 years Eaton and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel 2024]. Outside of the breeding season, Green Sandpipers are seen in good numbers between July and September as they pass through on autumn migration and many are present throughout the winter in lowland areas of England and Wales [Balmer et al. 2013]. [WeBS data show an increase in numbers wintering here since the mid 1980s, with numbers having remained relatively stable (although fluctuating) in recent years.

Perhaps as a result of recent milder winters, the number of Green Sandpipers overwintering appears to have increased, with 56% more 10-km squares occupied during 2007–11 compared to in the 1980s. Most gains have been in the lowlands of England, Wales and southern Ireland, though there has also been a notable extension of the winter range into north England and central Scotland.

Bird Atlas distribution change maps show how bird distributions have changed through time. Coloured upward-pointing triangles show places apparently colonised over the period; grey downward-pointing triangles show places apparently vacated. Shading show places occupied.

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Click the map to enlarge,
or view it on Bird Atlas Mapstore.

Green Sandpiper is a regular wintering species and very common autumn passage, with first birds arriving in June.

Weekly pattern of occurrence

The graph shows when the species is present in the UK, with taller bars indicating a higher likelihood of encountering the species in appropriate regions and habitats.