This species inhabits coastal mudflats and creeks along the coast (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During migration, it also occurs on wetlands further inland, including at sewage treatment plants, brackish pools and pond edges (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere during the non-breeding season it is omnivorous, consuming mostly polychaete worms and small gastropods, as well as insects, crustaceans, bivalves, plant matter and occasionally small fish (Cramp and Simmons 1977, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is migratory. It breeds in loose colonies in moist arctic tundra and migrates in large groups of up to 1,500 individuals to the non-breeding grounds along tropical and subtropical coastlines (Cramp and Simmons 1977, del Hoyo et al. 1996). Some juveniles may remain in the non-breeding range all year (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Pedersen et al. 2017).

Outside of the breeding season, this species inhabits inland freshwater wetlands such as pools and sewage farms, as well as marshes and mudflats along the coast (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere in inland habitats is feeds primarily of insects and their larvae as well as the occasional plant matter, while along the coasts it takes annelids, crustaceans and small molluscs (Johnsgard 1981, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is migratory and breeds in the tundra of northern Eurasia (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Individuals wintering in the UAE leave the breeding grounds in July to early August and migrate southward on broad front (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). Part of the population moves further south to winter in sub-Sahara Africa.

During the non-breeding season, this species inhabits coastal mudflats, estuaries, enclosed lagoons, tidal creeks and saltpans, but it also occurs at inland freshwater wetlands such as open pools in marshes and sandbanks along rivers (Urban et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Richardson and Aspinall 1998, Aspinall and Porter 2011).There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere the diet consists chiefly of invertebrates like ants, Hymenoptera, Diptera, beetles, waterbugs, annelids, small molluscs, crustaceans and freshwater mites, but also of plant material (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). The species is a long-distance migrant (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It breeds between late June and early July in the tundra of the Russian high Arctic (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Autumn movements to wintering grounds occur between July and November; the return migration occurring mid-May to early-June (del Hoyo et al. 1996). A typical migratory flock consists of 20-30 individuals (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Part of the population occurring in the UAE remains in the country over winter, while another part pauses in the country before continuing further south to wintering grounds in Africa (Richardson 1990). Many immatures also remain in the wintering grounds all year round (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Pedersen et al. 2017). The species is gregarious outside of the breeding season; and occurs in small groups in its winter range, often aggregating into larger flocks to roost at high tide or at night (Urban et al. 1986, Snow and Perrins 1998, Hockey et al. 2005).

During the non-breeding season, this species inhabits sandy beaches and mudflats along the coast (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During migration, it is also found further inland along shallow muddy creeks and pools (Richardson 1990). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere during winter, its diet consists of small molluscs, crustaceans, polychaete worms and adult, larval and pupal insects, as well as occasionally fish and carrion (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It forages in small flocks (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is a long-distance migrant (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It breeds between June and July in the high Arctic on barren, stony tundra (Johnsgard 1981, del Hoyo et al. 1996). During migration, it travels in small flocks mainly via offshore and coastal routes to the wintering grounds along the coastlines of all southern continents (Johnsgard 1981, Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996).

During winter, the species inhabits sheltered coastal habitats such as inlets, bays, harbours, estuaries and lagoons with large intertidal mud and sandflats, oceanic sandy beaches with nearby mudflats, sandy spits and islets, muddy shorelines with mangroves and occasionally exposed reefs or rock platforms (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Higgins and Davies 1996, Aspinall and Porter 2011). On passage, the species stages in estuaries and on intertidal mudflats (Tomkovich 1997, Moores 2006). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere during winter and on passage, it takes bivalves up to 36 mm long from intertidal mudflats, as well as gastropods, crustaceans, annelid worms and echinoderms (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Higgins and Davies 1996). It forages in small groups (Johnsgard 1981). It roosts in refuges, such as shallow water in sheltered sites, on coastal dunes or on saltflats amongst mangroves during high tides (Higgins and Davies 1996, Rogers et al. 2006). This species is a long-distance migrant and largely travels along the coast with few stopovers, but utilises different routes in autumn and in spring (del Hoyo;et al.;1996, Higgins and Davies 1996). Individuals wintering in the UAE breed between May and July in north-east Siberia. The species leaves the breeding grounds in July and arrives on the wintering grounds between August and October (del Hoyo;et al.;1996). The return migration to the breeding grounds takes place from March to April,;although juvenile non-breeders often remain in the wintering range for the breeding season (Hayman;et al.;1986, del Hoyo;et al. 1996, Pedersen et al. 2017).

This species winters along the coast, where it frequents sandy or rocky beaches, mudflats or tidal creeks (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). Only during migration, it is found on lakes or sewage treatment plants further inland (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere outside the breeding season, it mainly feeds on insects, crustaceans, molluscs, annelids, echinoderms, small fish, carrion and birds eggs (del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is fully migratory (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Birds wintering in the UAE breed from May to August in solitary pairs along the coast or on islands in the high Arctic (Hayman et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). Part of the population may migrate further south to winter along the coast of eastern and southern Africa. Someone-year-old birds remain in the wintering range during the summer. The species migrates in large flocks and is gregarious and sociable when feeding or roosting in winter, often foraging in large flocks in tidal areas (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998).

This species occurs on the edges of freshwater wetlands, mostly at ponds, water treatment plants and in irrigated grassland (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). It is rarely found in saline habitats like mudflats and only sometimes on shorelines and rocky coasts (Richardson 1990). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it consists of adult and larval insects, spiders, molluscs, snails, crustaceans, annelids, and occasionally frogs, toads, tadpoles and small fish, as well as plant material (Urban et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996). It forages solitarily during the day (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996), but may aggregate at night into roosts of over 100 individuals (Johnsgard 1981, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is migratory (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It breeds between May and June on freshwater margins throughout Eurasia (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). Immature individuals may also remain in the winter range throughout the summer breeding season (Snow and Perrins 1998, Pedersen et al. 2017).

During the non-breeding season, this species is found along the coast, especially in mudflats, tidal pools and creek edges, mangroves and salt marshes (Richardson 1990, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During migration, the species may stop-over at inland freshwater wetlands, such as muddy lakes or river edges (Urban et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996).There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere in the non-breeding season and on migration, the diet is varied and consists of insects, small molluscs, crustaceans (including crabs), spiders and annelid worms (del Hoyo et al. 1996). It forages both diurnally and nocturnally, but its nocturnal activities may be restricted to moonlit nights (Rohweder and Baverstock 1996). The species is migratory (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Individuals occurring in the UAE breed between May and June in boreal forest and tundra of north-western Asia; they migrate south overland through the Caspian region and the Middle East (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Many one-year-old and other non-breeding birds remain in the wintering grounds throughout the northern summer (Urban et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Pedersen et al. 2017).

This species inhabits a variety of freshwater, marine and artificial wetlands, including coastal shores and mudflats, inland wetlands and pond edges, as well as water treatment plants and sewage outlets (Richardson 1990, el Hoyo et al. 1996, Aspinall and Porter 2011). During migration, the species occurs on inland flooded meadows, dried-up lakes, sandbars and marshes (del Hoyo et al. 1996). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere it is chiefly carnivorous, its diet consisting of insects and their larvae, crustaceans, annelids, molluscs, amphibians, small fish and occasionally rodents (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Hockey et al. 2005). It feeds singly, both diurnally and nocturnally (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996). The species is migratory. It breeds between late April and June in dispersed pairs in swampy boreal forests throughout Eurasia (Johnsgard 1981, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). On passage, it can occur singly or in small flocks, although congregations of 100 or more may very rarely occur at high tide or at roosting sites (Urban et al. 1986, Richardson 1990, Snow and Perrins 1998). Some non-breeding birds may remain in the wintering grounds throughout the summer (del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998, Pedersen et al. 2017).

This species favours coastal zones, including rocky, muddy and sandy beaches, as well as mudflats (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Aspinall and Porter 2011). In smaller numbers, it can also be found at inland wetlands like sewage treatment plants, ponds, marshes and standing water (Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Aspinall and Porter 2011). There is no information available about its diet in the UAE; elsewhere during the non-breeding season, the species takes insects, spiders and annelid worms, as well as molluscs, crustaceans and occasionally small fish and tadpoles (del Hoyo et al. 1996). Outside of the breeding season the species forages singly, in small groups or occasionally in larger flocks of up to c.1,000 individuals, especially at roosting sites or when feeding on fish (Hayman et al. 1986, del Hoyo et al. 1996, Snow and Perrins 1998). The species is migratory. It breeds between March and August solitarily or in loose colonies in swampy areas of north-central Eurasia (Hayman et al. 1986, Richardson 1990, del Hoyo et al. 1996). It leaves the breeding grounds from June to October, and returns from the wintering grounds between February and April (Hayman et al. 1986). Some non-breeding individuals may remain in the non-breeding grounds over summer (Pedersen et al. 2017).