Red Knot Walking Toward Camera on Beach with Reflection - stock photo

A Red Knot (Calidris canutus) in breeding plumage walks directly toward the camera along the wet sand of a coastal beach, with its reflection mirrored in the shallow water. In the background, two additional Red Knots stand slightly out of focus, highlighting the social nature of these migratory shorebirds. During spring migration, Red Knots gather in flocks at key stopover sites along the Atlantic Flyway, where they rest and feed before continuing their journey to Arctic breeding grounds. These long-distance migrants are increasingly threatened by habitat loss, declining food availability, and climate change impacts at both breeding and stopover sites, making conservation of healthy coastal habitats critical for their survival.