Sanderling

The Sanderling is a small, energetic wader belonging to the family Scolopacidae. It is easily recognized by its pale, almost white plumage in winter, contrasting with its black legs and bill. In summer, the plumage becomes more patterned, with rufous and brown tones. The BTO code for the Sanderling is SA.

Pair of sanderling pruning their feathers

Sanderlings are found on sandy beaches and coastal mudflats, where they are often seen running back and forth with the waves as they forage along the tideline. Their diet primarily consists of small invertebrates, including marine worms, crustaceans, and molluscs, which they probe for in the wet sand.

Sanderling foraging amongst the waves

Sanderlings breed in the High Arctic, on tundra habitats with sparse vegetation. They arrive at their breeding grounds in late May or early June, where they nest on the ground, typically in shallow scrapes lined with moss, leaves, and lichens. Clutches usually consist of 3-4 pale eggs with dark markings, which are incubated by both parents for about 23-24 days. Once hatched, the chicks are precocial and leave the nest shortly after, foraging independently but under parental guidance. During the non-breeding season, Sanderlings migrate south to coastal areas worldwide. In the UK, they are winter visitors and passage migrants, seen from August to May. The winter population in the UK is estimated at around 17,000 individuals, with higher numbers during migration.

Group of Sanderlings are called a grain

The Sanderling is listed as Amber on the Birds of Conservation Concern (BoCC) 5 due to its localized wintering population and reliance on specific habitats. It is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and international agreements like the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA). Key threats to Sanderlings include habitat loss from coastal development, disturbance from human activity, and climate change, which affects their Arctic breeding grounds and coastal feeding sites. Conservation efforts for Sanderlings focus on protecting and managing coastal habitats, ensuring that sandy beaches and intertidal zones remain undisturbed and rich in invertebrates. Raising public awareness about minimizing disturbance, particularly during migration and winter, is vital. International collaboration is essential to safeguard their breeding and wintering habitats across their migratory range. Protecting coastal environments benefits not only Sanderlings but a wide variety of other shorebirds and marine life.