Ruddy turnstones arrive on the breeding grounds in late May and early June and mate and begin to lay eggs within 7 to 10 days of their arrival. They create a nest scrape lined with leaves and lichen. Females lay 1 egg each day and usually lay 4 dark brown or olive splotched eggs. Incubation is 21 to 24 days long.

Where do Turnstones go in summer?

Location: Coastal regions – the Arctic in the summers, migrating to various locations around the world during winter as far south as South Africa and Australia. Conservation status: Least Concern.

Where do Turnstones breed?

Almost all Turnstones wintering on the seaboard of western Europe breed in Greenland and north-east Canada. Turnstones breeding in northern Europe migrate through the North Sea, where they pause to replenish fat reserves, but then continue south to African moulting and wintering grounds.