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A survey of breeding GreenshankTringa nebulariawas undertaken in 1995, based on a stratified sample of 5-km squares selected at random from the UK breeding range. Approximately 8% of the breeding range was surveyed. Surveyors visited 101 survey squares twice in the breeding season, covering suitable dry areas to within 500 m, and all wet areas. Any Greenshank recorded were mapped. Breeding densities varied from zero to an estimated 1.4 ‘territories’ per km2. The survey produced population estimates of 1440 summering ‘pairs’ (95% confidence limits: 1100–1790), based on half the peak count of adults, and 870 pairs with young (95% confidence limits: 570–1200). The distribution of sightings within survey squares was used to derive a possible mean territory radius of 800 m. Interpreting survey maps using this figure, an estimate of 1080 occupied breeding ‘territories’ was produced (95% confidence limits: 720–1480). Information is also presented on the altitudes of Greenshank sightings, variations in Greenshank ‘detectability’ through the survey period and regional variation in Greenshank abundance. The survey lays down a baseline for long-term population monitoring of Greenshank by a repeatable method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]