Scolopacidae

Often associates with other waders

Wetlands, Muddy or sedgy edges of shallow freshwater lagoons; sewage ponds; salt marsh and estuarine mud flats; Breeds across northern Europe and Asia; winters from the British Isles to southern Africa and across southern Asia to Indonesia and Australia. Grassy margins of swamps and lagoons, sewerage farms, tidal mud flats and salt marshes

The name Ruff applies to the male the female is called a Reeve.

May June July in artic, 4 (usually); ground colour, variable shades of ochre, grey or pale green, blotched with dark-brown. Females nest build, incubate and rear the young. Incabation period 20-23 days, young fledge 25-28 days.

Omnivore, insects; their larvae; spiders; crustaceans; frogs; molluscs; fish; seeds.