John Chan / Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) plucking Dowitcher (Limnodromus) prey, Southern California, USA.

John Chan / Flock of Western sandpipers (Calidris mauri) taking flight from salt marsh, Southern California, USA.

David Woodfall / Dunlin (Calidris alpina ) North Uist, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, UK, June.

David Woodfall / Dunlin (Calidris alpina) small wader with young in machair. North Uist, Scotland, UK, June.

SCOTLAND: The Big Picture / Turnstones (Arenaria interpres) and Purple sandpipers (Calidris maritima) over wintering on the beaches of the Orkney Isles, Scotland, UK, April.

George Sanker / Greater yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) standing on rock. Acadia National Park, Maine, USA. September.

Chris Gomersall / Large flock of Red knot (Calidris canutus) moving at high tide roost, in winter plumage, Snettisham RSPB Reserve, Norfolk, England, UK, September.

John Waters / Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) feeding, catches worm and washes it in water, Greylake RSPB Reserve, Somerset Levels, England, UK, February.

John Waters / Large mixed flock of Knot (Calidris canutrus), Dunlin (Calidris alpina) and Golden plover (Pluvialis apricaria) in flight at high tide, Steart Marshes WWT Reserve, Somerset, England, UK, December.

Philippe Clement / Pair of Black-tailed godwits (Limosa limosa) courting and mating in wetland, Belgium, April

Nick Upton / Panning shot of a flock of Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) landing on partially flooded pastureland near resting Black-tailed godwits (Limosa limosa) and grazing Wigeon (Anas penelope), Gloucestershire,...

Donald M. Jones / Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) preening in spring, southern Alaska