Marsh Sandpipers are common winter visitors and passage migrants in our area. They breed in the steppes of Central Asia and are one of the earliest waders to return. The first birds (adults that have failed to breed) are often seen in July. Most birds, including the juveniles pass through in September and it is then, and in October, that maximum numbers (up to 200) are recorded at the favoured sites. They begin leaving in April with heavy passage in May and even June. Thus they might be recorded in every month of the year. Wintering numbers rarely exceed 50 and are more usually below 20 at any one site.

Marsh Sandpipers favour marshlands with open water and mud as well as muddy shallows on rivers. They often feed in wet paddy fallows and since they are adept at swimming, also frequent village ponds. With their high posture and needle-thin bills they are sometimes reported as one of the much rarer phalaropes when seen swimming. They feed very actively, catching aquatic animals and small fish under the water. They also snap at surface flies. They will often mix with other waders but since they are relatively quiet for a Tringa sandpiper they can be overlooked. Their overall plumage is very like that of the larger Common Greenshank and the best distinguishing feature is the very fine, straight bill. In winter, the plumage is plain grey in adults and scalloped buff in juveniles. From April it becomes browner and more variegated with fine spots and streaks.