A small, short-legged, medium-billed, hunch-backed wader; grey-brown in winter, chestnut in summer with distinctive black belly; sometimes in huge flocks.

On almost any smooth coastline, whether of mud or sand, there will be small, short-legged waders scuttling about at low tide. They are the most widespread and numerous of the smaller seashore waders. They are also often seen inland in spring and autumn, beside muddy lakes and reservoirs, and should the water levels remain low and shores stay muddy, groups of Dunlins may stay around reservoirs all winter. The Dunlin is a small wader, with a medium-length bill and rather short legs, and a broad-bodied, round-shouldered shape.