The Common Redshank, scarlet-legged sentinel of the salt marshes
Named for its vivid orange-red legs, the Common Redshank (Tringa totanus) is an emblematic wader of Mediterranean coastal wetlands, famous for its wary demeanor and piercing calls.
My field observations in the Var — sites, months and context
✓ Aug 2026 Synthesis (1 record)Captured in the tranquil lagoons of the Vieux Salins of Hyères in August 2026, where low golden sunlight cast an exquisite reflection of its vibrant legs on the water.
Commented in situ photo gallery
1 telephoto photographs taken in the Var department (Rule 11)
Recognizing the species on my photos — visible details
Length 27-29 cm. Slender silhouette with greyish-brown barred upperparts, white belly, straight bill red at the base, and fiery scarlet legs. A broad white trailing edge on the wings is unmistakable in flight.
Coastal salt pans, brackish lagoons, tidal mudflats and saltmarsh pools.
Small coastal crustaceans, marine worms, molluscs and aquatic insects.
Photographing the species: field experience
To preserve a flawless reflection on the water, one must wait for windless moments and drop low along the dike to shoot from a gentle skimming angle.
- •Known as the sentinel of the marsh, its loud ringing alarm call alerts all neighboring waterfowl to potential threats.
- •Its scarlet legs become even more intensely vibrant during spring courtship displays.
