UK wintering: 16,000 birds
UK passage: 40,000 birds
Family: Sandpipers & allies
Adult sanderlings in breeding plumage have black upperparts with chestnut fringes which give a scaled effect. The upperbreast is chestnut with brown streaks and the rest of the underparts are white. The tail is black with white outer rectrices. There is a visible white wing bar.
The head and neck are chestnut with brown streaks, the eyes are dark brown, and the legs and feet are black. Some breeding birds are brighter with a richer dark chestnut head, upperparts, and upperbreast.
In non-breeding plumage sanderlings have pale grey upperparts with darker grey spots. The underparts remain white and there is a dark carpal patch on the wing. Males and females are similar although the female is slightly larger and has less chestnut during breeding season.
Juvenile sanderlings have a black mantle and scapulars with white spots. The wings are black and dark brown with pale edges. The breast has a slight buff tinge with streaks and the shoulder patch is black.
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Sanderlings breed from June to mid-July. They are solitary nesters that nest on the ground. The nest is a shallow scrape in bare earth or stones which is lined with dry leaves and lichens.
Sanderlings lay 3-4 green eggs with brown markings which are incubated by both parents for 24-32 days. The chicks are covered in cinnamon-coloured down with white underparts and a pale yellow face and throat. They are able to leave the nest soon after hatching but both parents continue to care for them, and they fledge at 17 days.
Sanderlings tend to lay 2 clutches a season. If there is a third it is usual from another male.
Sanderlings feed mainly on insects, spiders, and crustaceans, as well as seeds, buds, moss, and algae when they are on breeding grounds. During migration and on wintering grounds they will also eat molluscs and marine worms. They will occasionally take fish and carrion.
Sanderlings can be seen all year round on the coast, particularly on sandy beaches, except for the south-west and rocky coasts of mainland Scotland.
Sanderlings appear to chase waves but they are actually using the pull of the tide to maximise their chances of finding food. They run after a wave as it retreats, probe for food on the exposed sand, and then scurry back as the next tide comes in.
