The ruddy turnstone is a small wading bird, one of two species of turnstone in the genus Arenaria. The scientific name is from Latin. The genus name arenaria derives from arenarius, “inhabiting sand, from arena, “sand”. Wikipedia
In the winter months you will find these sociable little birds running around St Ives and Marazion, spending most of their time creeping and fluttering over rocks, picking out food from under stones.
Cornwall in Colours 
Nice close up, Jude. I must have seen them at some time, during many visits to Cornwall. But I never knew the name.
Best wishes, Pete. x
I only see them during the winter so I assume they have migrated from Canada and Greenland where they breed. Some birds also arrive in the UK during the summer on their way to Africa from Northern Europe stopping along the North Sea coast.
Lovely shot.
Their upper body markings blend perfectly with the rock background.
The breeding birds have colours like a tortoiseshell cat. Shame they don’t breed here.
A totally lovely little bird. Great photo. Thanks.
They are very cute and run around your feet around the harbour!
So they are unfazed by people?
Seems so, they practically run over your feet 🙄
Isn’t it lovely
Birds are a source of seaside entertainment, less so when holding a chip 🙂
These little waders are very cute, the seagulls not so much.
I feel the same about the little sanderlings on the beach but I’m rarely quick enough to get a decent shot. 🙂 🙂
The Sanderlings are very quick, I haven’t seen any here yet this year, but hope to get in a few winter beach walks if this wind and rain lets up long enough!
Good capture.
Thanks John. They are rather cute.
Oh, so cute! Love the name too. 😅