THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
TEMMINCK'S STINT – Calidris temminckii
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Temminck's Stint was named after Coenraad Jacob Temminck who was a Dutch naturalist. Stint is one of several very small waders in the genus Calidris which in North America are known as peeps. Some of these birds are difficult to identify because of the similarity between species and various breeding, non-breeding, juvenile and moulting plumages. Reference to stint in Britain was first met with in 1472 as 'styntis' with the present spelling occurring in 1622. 'Stint' comes from the Old English word 'styntan' meaning to repress, stunt; hence, to stint, which is a reference generally to the rather stunted appearance of most 'peeps'.
There have been two Temminck's Stint reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;
1984: (1)
On April 29th a summer adult was identified at Oldbury Power Station. This occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.
2004: (1)
On May 13th an adult spent just ten minutes at Severn Beach at around 15:30.
Temminck's Stint at Severn Beach. May 2004. © Paul Bowerman.