Status and distribution Breeds in the far north in Northern Lapland and in Arctic Russia from the Kola Peninsula eastwards.

Migratory, seen on passage through Baltic and North Seas and on Atlantic coasts, rare any distance inland. Main passage periods Aug-Oct and in spring in Mar-Apr. Winters around the British Is and from Denmark to southern Spain and the Atlantic coast of North Africa. Smaller numbers at various sites in the Mediterranean and at the head of the Persian Gulf. Non-breeders often present in winter range all year.

Vagrant to Svalbard, Iceland and Faroes, eastern Mediterranean countries, Madeira and the Azores.

Habitat Breeds on lowland tundra, sometimes in upland areas and among trees. On passage and in winter almost always on coasts, in particular on estuaries and sheltered sandy shores.