Sanderlings- Hebridean Birds
Western Isles Birds - Sanderlings - Hebridean Birds Sightings and Photographs
Sanderlings - mainly seen in their non breeding plumage - having an almost frosted appearance, silver grey above and mainly white below, with black legs and a short black bill.
These lovely little wading birds are just passing through the Western Isles. They actually breed much further north. The Arctic is their breeding area
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| Bird Overview - Sanderlings |
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| Description |
The sanderling stands out from other birds belonging to the sandpiper family in appearance and in its general behaviour. In winter it is by far the whitest, and is a very speedy nimble bird.
Here in the Western Isles you can see them darting in and out along the waves at the shoreline as they search for food. A little larger than a Dunlin with a short straight bill. non breeding or summer plumage when here in the Western Isles - silver grey above - mainly white below - black legs and black bills.
In early Autumn in moult - with traces of their chestnut breeding plumage visible. 'in their Arctic breeding ground they will be in full glory with scalloped black - grey and chestnut on the back, chestnut coloured cheeks and a dark breast band above their bright white belly.
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| Size |
| 20 - 21 cm ) - 50 - 60 g in weight |
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| Habitat |
These birds can be seen on beaches in Scotland and here in The Western Isles - particularly on Luskentyre - in Harris - and also beaches like Mangersta on The Isle of Lewis. They like beaches and mudflats.
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| Food |
Insects, molluscs, crustaceans .Marine worms, sandhoppers and similar.
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| Voice |
A Short song - a purring roll., plit or twil twil
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| Breeding |
These little wading birds, the sanderlings nest on scrape on the ground - June - July - have 4 eggs - incubation is 24-27days.
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| Misc. Info |
Sanderlings are the most widespread of all the shorebirds. They live up to ten years, their flight is fast and low, swirling round and back again, in coordinated groups |
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