7-9-2022 EL SALER, ALBUFERA - DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)

The dunlin (Calidris alpina) is a small wader, formerly sometimes separated with the other "stints" in the genus Erolia. The English name is a dialect form of "dunling", first recorded in 1531–1532. It derives from dun, "dull brown", with the suffix -ling, meaning a person or thing with the given quality.

It is a circumpolar breeder in Arctic or subarctic regions. Birds that breed in northern Europe and Asia are long-distance migrants, wintering south to Africa, southeast Asia and the Middle East. Birds that breed in Alaska and the Canadian Arctic migrate short distances to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, although those nesting in northern Alaska overwinter in Asia. Many dunlins winter along the Iberian south coast.

An adult dunlin in breeding plumage shows the distinctive black belly which no other similar-sized wader possesses. The winter dunlin is basically grey above and white below. Juveniles are brown above with two whitish "V" shapes on the back. They usually have black marks on the flanks or belly and show a strong white wingbar in flight. The legs and slightly decurved bill are black. There are a number of subspecies differing mainly in the extent of rufous colouration in the breeding plumage and the bill length. Bill length varies between sexes, the females having longer bills than the males. On the tip of the Dunlin's bill is a soft covering that fills with blood and with many nerve endings, forming a sensitive probe that is used to locate invertebrate prey in mud and sand. Although the bill can look sharp-pointed in dead specimens, in life it is blunt.

Dunlin are small migratory waders, however they show strong philopatry with individuals of the Southern Dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii) in Sweden and Finland returning to, or very close to, their natal patches. Habitat fragmentation has reduced the availability of habitat patches to these birds through reducing patch size and increasing patch isolation. This reduced connectivity between patches has reduced the movements of Dunlin leaving them more susceptible to inbreeding in these locations. Future management for the conservation of Southern Dunlin should include increasing the connectivity between habitat patches.

31-8-2022 EL SALER, VALENCIA - DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)

The dunlin is highly gregarious in winter, sometimes forming large flocks on coastal mudflats or sandy beaches. Large numbers can often be seen swirling in synchronized flight on stop-overs during migration or on their winter habitat.

This bird is one of the most common waders throughout its breeding and wintering ranges, and it is the species with which other waders tend to be compared. At 17–21 cm (6.7–8.3 in) length and with a 32–36 cm (13–14 in) wingspan, it is similar in size to a common starling, but stouter, with a thicker bill.

13-4-2021 DEVESA, VALENCIA - DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)

The dunlin moves along the coastal mudflat beaches it prefers with a characteristic "sewing machine" feeding action, methodically picking small food items. Insects form the main part of the dunlin's diet on the nesting grounds; it eats molluscs, worms and crustaceans in coastal areas.

The nest is a shallow scrape on the ground lined with vegetation, into which typically four eggs are laid and incubated by the male and female parents. Chicks are precocial, however are brooded during early development. They start to fly at approximately three weeks of age. The majority of brood care is provided by the male, as the female deserts the brood and often leaves the breeding area.

The dunlin has an extremely large range and although the population appears to be decreasing, the population is still very large.

11-10-2017 DEVESA, VALENCIA - DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)

The Dunlin, Calidris alpina, is a small wader, often seen bustling along shorelines with a characteristic "sewing machine" feeding action. In its breeding plumage, it is easily identified by its distinctive black belly patch, a feature unique among waders of similar size. Outside the breeding season, it adopts a more subdued grey and white plumage. Juveniles can be recognized by their brown feathers with whitish "V" shapes on the back.

Adult Dunlins in breeding attire sport a striking black belly that sets them apart from other waders. In winter, they turn grey above and white below. Look for the strong white wingbar in flight, and note the black legs and slightly down-curved bill. The bill, while appearing sharp in deceased specimens, is actually blunt at the tip in living birds, equipped with a sensitive probe for detecting invertebrates.

Dunlins favor coastal mudflats and sandy beaches, where they can be observed in large, sociable flocks, especially outside the breeding season.

This circumpolar species breeds in Arctic or subarctic regions. European and Asian populations are long-distance migrants, wintering as far south as Africa and the Middle East. North American populations tend to migrate shorter distances to coastal areas.

Dunlins exhibit strong philopatry, with individuals often returning to their natal areas to breed. They are highly gregarious in winter and can be seen in large flocks, sometimes performing synchronized aerial displays.

The Dunlin's call is a typical sandpiper "peep," while its display song is a harsh trill.

Nests are shallow ground scrapes lined with vegetation. Both parents incubate the typically four-egg clutch. Chicks are precocial but require brooding early on. Flight is achieved around three weeks, with the male providing most of the brood care post-hatching.

The Dunlin can be confused with other small waders, but its breeding plumage and feeding behavior are distinctive. Hybrids with the White-rumped Sandpiper and the Purple Sandpiper have been reported.

On breeding grounds, Dunlins primarily consume insects. During the rest of the year, their diet includes molluscs, worms, and crustaceans.

The Dunlin is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a very large range and population size. It is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).

11-10-2017 DEVESA, VALENCIA - DUNLIN (Calidris alpina)

The Dunlin, Calidris alpina, is a small wader, often seen bustling along shorelines with a characteristic "sewing machine" feeding action. In its breeding plumage, it is easily identified by its distinctive black belly patch, a feature unique among waders of similar size. Outside the breeding season, it adopts a more subdued grey and white plumage. Juveniles can be recognized by their brown feathers with whitish "V" shapes on the back.

Adult Dunlins in breeding attire sport a striking black belly that sets them apart from other waders. In winter, they turn grey above and white below. Look for the strong white wingbar in flight, and note the black legs and slightly down-curved bill. The bill, while appearing sharp in deceased specimens, is actually blunt at the tip in living birds, equipped with a sensitive probe for detecting invertebrates.

Dunlins favor coastal mudflats and sandy beaches, where they can be observed in large, sociable flocks, especially outside the breeding season.

This circumpolar species breeds in Arctic or subarctic regions. European and Asian populations are long-distance migrants, wintering as far south as Africa and the Middle East. North American populations tend to migrate shorter distances to coastal areas.

Dunlins exhibit strong philopatry, with individuals often returning to their natal areas to breed. They are highly gregarious in winter and can be seen in large flocks, sometimes performing synchronized aerial displays.

The Dunlin's call is a typical sandpiper "peep," while its display song is a harsh trill.

Nests are shallow ground scrapes lined with vegetation. Both parents incubate the typically four-egg clutch. Chicks are precocial but require brooding early on. Flight is achieved around three weeks, with the male providing most of the brood care post-hatching.

The Dunlin can be confused with other small waders, but its breeding plumage and feeding behavior are distinctive. Hybrids with the White-rumped Sandpiper and the Purple Sandpiper have been reported.

On breeding grounds, Dunlins primarily consume insects. During the rest of the year, their diet includes molluscs, worms, and crustaceans.

The Dunlin is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, with a very large range and population size. It is protected under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA).