We see turnstones along the shore at odd times of the year and late March to April is one of them. It appears therefore that all 'our' turnstones are migrating but this is complicated by our seeing two quite distinct populations. Those breeding in Greenland and arctic Canada winter in Britain and Ireland and fly north for the summer while the Scandinavian population passes through Britain on its way south to winter along the coast of West Africa.
The ones we saw on Saturday are therefore most probably the Canadian/Greenland population as they are on the move earlier, in April/May, while the Scandinavian turnstones, which have to come up from Africa, won't reach here on their way north until July/August. There's a map which clarifies these movements on the BTO website here.
When we see them they are usually in small flocks of half-a-dozen or so. Saturday's group numbered five, which is rather fewer than the nine we saw on 1st April 2022.
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