Dunlins inhabit river estuaries where rivers meet the sea, moderate mixed forests with warm summers and many oak, birch, and maple trees, flooded meadows with abundant grass, shallow coastal waters where crabs reside, and taiga characterized by cold winters and coniferous trees such as spruce and pine. The species’ landscape preferences include freshwater bodies like lakes and ponds, marshes and swamps, marine environments, coastal waters, and terrestrial areas. Dunlins are found in climates with cool summers averaging 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, very hot summers exceeding 25 to 30 degrees Celsius, consistently wet conditions with frequent rain, climates with abundant rainfall and cool summers accompanied by snowfall in winter, and winters with significant snow cover and cold temperatures. The species’ elevation range extends up to 400 meters above sea level.