Similar to the knot, the sanderling is smaller and paler, with a dark patch on the shoulder and with black, rather than green, legs. It is best recognised by its behaviour, scampering about on the beach rather than walking and probing in the mud. In the winter, it is silvery-grey, almost white, with a bright white belly.

Behaviour

The sanderling is a medium-sized sandpiper. It feeds in small flocks at the edge of the tide, scampering back and forth after the waves, looking for insects, crustaceans, worms, fish and even jellyfish. Sanderlings breed in the Arctic, visiting the UK in the winter and passing through on migration during spring and autumn. The distance they travel varies, but individuals have been known to make 32,000 km annual round-trips to their breeding and wintering grounds.

Size

Length: 20-21cm
Wingspan: 42cm
Weight: 59g
Average lifespan: 7 years

Status

Distribution

A common winter visitor to our coasts; best looked for on long, sandy beaches.

When to see

August to May

Facts

Sanderlings only have three toes on each foot; they are missing the hind toe, which gives them a distinctive running action – a bit like a clockwork toy.