Sanderling (Calidris alba)
Identification
Listen to the sanderling bird call
Listen to the sanderling alarm call
In winter they are a small pale wading bird, with black legs, dark grey beak, white front, grey and white flecked back and dark grey tail.
Their behaviour is what really gives them away. They can often be seen running on the beach rather than walking, chasing the waves as they go out in attempts to find food. They will probe their beaks into the mud/sand to catch their food.
They are most likely to be found on sandy beaches when the tide is out but they are also regular visitors to our shingle beaches.
Other Information
Migration Routes
Sanderlings migrate from multiple locations to winter on our East Kentish shores during winter. These locations include: Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. You can expect to see them arriving from as early as August and they will stay as late until May before migrating back to their breeding ground for summer! It is important to note that we do have some individuals who will stay all year round.
Some journeys amount up to 1400 miles! They will perform pit stops on the way to maintain the energy required to complete the journey. But whilst they are on our Kentish coastlines it is important we give them the space and peace they need to feed and rest to successfully complete the migrations back in the springtime.
Discover more about the daring dozen migratory birds found in East Kent
Birds that have made the perilous journey to feed on our coast. Click on each image to find out more.
