Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameCalidris maritima FamilySandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae) OverviewThe purple sandpiper is a medium-sized wading birds that is larger, stockier and darker than a dunlin. It is mainly dark grey above and whitish below. It has a downcurved beak and short bright orange legs. In flight it shows a thin white wing-stripe. A couple of pairs nest in Scotland, but this species is mainly a winter visitor to almost any rocky coast in the UK. Most are found in Orkney, Shetland and along the east coast of Scotland and northern England - it is scarce south of Yorkshire, other than Devon and Cornwall. The breeding areas in Scotland are kept secret to protect the birds from egg thieves and disturbance. Where to see themAround the coast, particularly on the east coast north of the Humber. A good place to look can be around piers and groynes, and also on stony beaches and mussel beds at low tide. When to see themWinter What they eatWinkles, insects, spiders, crustaceans, and plants Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | 1-3 pairs | 17,760 individuals | - |
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |