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Common Redshank

Tringa totanus

The common redshank is recognized by its long orange-red legs and bill. The back edge of the wings exhibit a white panel. Its call is a powerful ‘tjyyh’ that can be heard over long distances. Photo Jan Nyman.

General information. The loud call of the common redshank is an inseparable part of the summer ambience of the Vaasa archipelago. The females alert their young, who are roaming in the terrain, with loud warning calls if humans appear on the skerry where the redshanks are nesting.

  • Length 28 cm
  • Nests on the ground
  • Winters in Western Europe and Africa
  • Feeds on insects, invertebrates and plant material

Habitat. The common redshank can be found nesting primarily in the inner and outer archipelago; however few nest on the outer, open skerries. The species is more abundant in waterfront meadows on forested islands. Nesting inland has been concentrated to outlet ditches and barrens near coastal areas

Distribution in Vaasa. The nesting population of common redshank has decreased in Vaasa. It was found in approximately 50 survey blocks. Despite the species being characteristic of the archipelago, it has also been found nesting inland. Annual nestings have been observed in a number of inland locations, such as nearby the airport in Runsor.