Sanderling

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Sanderling in the UK

A winter visitor and passage migrant that does not breed in Britain. About 21,000 winter in the UK, and many more pass through in May and from late July to September on their way between the high Arctic and West Africa. It is Amber-listed. Winter numbers have risen steadily since counts began in the 1970s and were up 54% between 1998 and 2023, though Wales has seen a decline. A few non-breeding birds stay on British beaches through June.

Where and when to see a Sanderling

Find a long sandy beach at any season except midsummer. Sanderlings feed along the wave edge on open, firm sand and avoid mud and rocks. The Ribble Estuary and Lancashire coast, the Wash, the north Norfolk beaches and the Outer Hebrides hold large numbers, but most sandy shores have a flock. A falling or rising tide is best, when birds chase each wave. At high tide they roost in tight packs on the upper beach, often with Dunlin and Ringed Plover. Inland birds appear briefly at reservoirs in May.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Sandy beaches.
Diet: Tideline invertebrates.
Field note: Runs at the surf like clockwork.

How to identify a Sanderling

Slightly larger and plumper than a Dunlin. In winter it is the palest small wader: pearl-grey above and clean white below, with a dark mark at the bend of the wing, a short straight black bill and black legs. It runs fast along the wave edge on blurring legs. In flight it shows a broad white wingbar bordered black. In May and late July adults have a rusty head, breast and back. Juveniles in autumn are chequered black and white above with a buff wash on the breast sides.

Call and song

A short, liquid 'plit' or 'twick', often repeated as a flock takes off or flies along the beach. It is quieter and softer than a Dunlin's rasping call. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Dunlin: Dunlin is browner-grey with a longer, drooping bill, feeds on mud with a steady probing action and has a narrower wingbar.
• Little Stint: Little Stint is much smaller with a finer bill, and autumn juveniles show a white V on the back.
• Red Knot: Knot is larger and stockier with greenish legs and grey-barred flanks, and feeds in dense, slow-moving packs.

Month by month

A winter visitor, typically in the UK from August through to May. Numbers peak in January. See the January birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in Bird migration in Britain.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Sanderling is an Uncommon tier bird, worth +3 points when you log one. It is Amber-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the middle level of concern in the UK.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Red KnotUncommon · Estuaries (winter spectacles)
• RuffUncommon · Wet meadows
• Baird's SandpiperEpic · Pools
• Broad-billed SandpiperEpic · Pools (very rare passage)
• Buff-breasted SandpiperRare · Short grass (autumn passage)
• Curlew SandpiperRare · Estuaries (autumn passage)

Sanderling: quick answers

What does a Sanderling eat?

Small shrimps, sandhoppers, marine worms, tiny shellfish and insects washed up on the tideline. It grabs prey exposed by each retreating wave, which is why it runs back and forth with the surf. Kelp flies on rotting seaweed are another favourite.

Where do Sanderlings breed?

On bare tundra in the high Arctic, in Greenland, Canada and Siberia. Birds that winter in Britain make a round trip of several thousand miles. Others only refuel here on the way to West and southern Africa.

When is the best time to see Sanderling?

August to April for numbers. Late July and May are the times to see the rusty breeding plumage, which many people do not recognise as the same species. Go on a weekday or early in the day, before dog walkers move flocks along the beach.

Kit that helps

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