Turnstone
Arenaria interpres (Linnaeus, 1758)
TT
TURNS
5610
Family: Charadriiformes > Scolopacidae
This colourful wader, its plumage a striking mix of chestnut, black and white, is widespread around our coasts in winter.
Breeding in the Arctic, the Turnstone is primarily a winter visitor; summering birds are usually younger individuals that have not attained breeding condition. The species can be found in any coastal habitat, although has a preference rocky shores.
Turnstones forage on the tideline, flipping over small stones in the search for small crustaceans and insects. But Turnstone are famously indiscriminate in their diet and there is a small sub-genre of the scientific literature enumerating the things they have been recorded eating – from packets of artificial sweetener to decomposing corpses!
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Turnstone
Identification
Turnstone identification is often straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Turnstone, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Flight call
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
Our interactive online courses are a great way to develop your bird identification skills, whether you're new to the hobby or a competent birder looking to hone your abilities.
Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| UK Birds of Conservation Concern | Amber listed |
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
Bern(III), Bonn(II), AEWA |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (winter) | 43 thousand (2012-17) |
| BOU Category | A |
|
First Record
|
1676 |
POPULATION CHANGE
| UK winter population |
-21% decrease (1996/97–2021/22) |
DISTRIBUTION
Turnstone winter on sandy beaches, estuaries and rocky shores. They are widespread and occupy most coastal 10-km squares of the UK.
-
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in winter | 833 |
| % occupied in winter | 28 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
The Turnstone winter distribution has expanded by 9% across Britain & Ireland since the early 1980s, with increases most notable in southwest Ireland, northwest Scotland, and at a few inland sites in Britain.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +11.1% |
SEASONALITY
Turnstones are mostly passage migrants and winter visitors but small numbers can be seen throughout the year, although none breed.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Foreign locations of birds ringed or recovered in Britain & Ireland
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Turnstone, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
41×29 mm Weight = 17.9 g (of which 5% is shell) |
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
|
Maximum Age from Ringing
|
20 years 0 months 3 days (set in 2006)
|
|
Typical Lifespan
|
9 years with breeding typically at 2 year |
|
Adult Survival
|
0.86
|
BIOMETRICS
|
Wing Length
|
Adults | 156.9±4.6 | Range 149–164mm, N=4162 |
| Juveniles | 154.2±4.6 | Range 148-161mm, N=473 | |
| Males | 156.5±3.9 | Range 150–163mm, N=55 | |
| Females | 158.6±3.9 | Range 153–164mm, N=65 |
|
Body Weight
|
Adults | 108±10.5 | Range 94.0–125g, N=4115 |
| Juveniles | 106±8.8 | Range 93.0–120g, N=456 | |
| Males | 129±17.4 | Range 101–157g, N=55 | |
| Females | 132±25.1 | Range 104–176g, N=64 |
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Ring size
|
C2 |
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: TT | 5-letter code: TURNS | Euring: 5610 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Research
Interpretation and scientific publications about Turnstone from BTO scientists.
PUBLICATIONS (1)
Consequences of population change for local abundance and site occupancy of wintering waterbirds
Wavering Waterbirds
Protected sites are assigned based on population statistics for vulnerable and endangered species. This new study using WeBS data shows that changes in population size can affect local abundance, and thus influence whether or not key targets are met for site protection.
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Use of Willapa Bay, Washington, by shorebirds and waterfowl after Spartina control efforts
- Is the density of redshank Tringa totanus nesting on saltmarshes in Great Britain declining due to changes in grazing management?
- Experimental removal of introduced hedgehogs improves wader nest success
Read more studies about Turnstone on Conservation Evidence >
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