Specie's Page                                               Common Sandpiper - Small Waders

Common Sandpiper:

UK Status: Resident in parts of the UK with distinct wintering and breeding grounds. Numbers are boosted in spring and autumn by birds passing through the UK, and also by extra overwintering birds.

Habitat: This bird likes wetland habitat with shallow scrapes to wade and feed in. They can be seen often bobbing up and down, and teetering about on mud and silt flats by shallow water.

Breeding: This ground nesting bird makes a scrape in the ground, usually hidden and near to water. They line the scrape with leaves, grass and other local vegetation. Four eggs are usually laid per clutch, the eggs are like those of many small wading birds. They are buff in colour, with darker brown spots and splodges.

Comment: Common Sandpipers tend to nest in the North and West Midlands of the UK, and overwinter mostly in the South Midlands. Though in Spring, Autumn and Winter they can be seen almost any where in the UK, due to birds in passage from other countries.

BE AWARE PLEASE:  Ground nesting birds are very vulnerable to having their eggs and chicks smashed or crushed. This can happen when people are unaware of their presence, or when dogs are allowed to run loose during the breeding season. Nests are very well hidden, and are not usually spotted until it's to late. Dogs often have no concern for ground nesting birds, please keep them on their leads from April through to the end of September.