Rob Robinson

Well-known, small wader found on nearly all beaches of the world during non-breeding. Breeds on high arctic barren, stony tundras of Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard and northernmost Russia, feeding on insects and their larvae. Long-distance migrant reaching Tierra del Fuego, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Gathers in flocks during non-breeding on open sandy beaches, rocky shores, and sandy parts of mudflats, feeding on variety of small prey. Distinctive behaviour on beaches running along edges of surf, where prey is more easily available. European population 25,000-50,000, all breeding on Greenland. Trend unknown.

Season of assessment

W

Population trendIncreasing
Population size
(min-max, best estimate)		50200-66800,57400
Red List categoryLC
Franks, S., Fiedler, W., Arizaga, J., Jiguet, F., Nikolov, B., van der Jeugd, Ambrosini, R, Aizpurua, O., Bairlein, F., Clark, J., Fattorini, N, Hammond, M., Higgins, D, Levering, H., Skellorn, W., Spina, F, Thorup, K. Walker, J., Woodward, I. and Baillie, S.R. (1) (2022) Online Atlas of the movements of European bird populations. https://migrationatlas.org EURING/CMS (1) Principal investigator
Map

Overall Connectivity for Sanderling

Main connections between Greenland breeding area and Western European shores, with stop-over on Iceland, and between Europe and Western African shores down to South Africa. Just one direct connection each with Svalbard and East-Russian breeding areas, but several with stop-over sites in Baltic and Fennoscandia that may either support connection to Russia or to Svalbard. Connections between Iceland and West Africa shows Greenland birds winter both Europe and Africa. Connections between Polish Baltic coast and Africa suggest that Svalbard and possibly Russian birds also reach West Africa. All European and North African shores well connected, suggesting frequent exchange. Few connections between Black Sea and Western Europe, Poland and Norway.

Recoveries by Condition for Sanderling

Over 80% of encounters refers to ringing recoveries, which are most common in Western Europe and some regular ringing sites along African coast. Some 8% refer to birds of which rings or colour marks were read in the field, and these observations are almost entirely confined to Europe. Reports of shot and intentionally taken birds make up 10%, and occur mainly in France, Spain, Mediterranean coasts and Western Africa.

Annual Movements for Sanderling

During mid Oct to end Apr, all re-encounters are in NW, W and SW Europe and Africa. In Southern Africa only between mid Jan and mid Mar. End Apr birds start moving NW within UK, begin May first birds on Iceland, majority from mid Jun to begin Jul. On Greenland from begin Jun to end Jul, Svalbard and Russia end Jun. First birds return in Europe mid Jul, widespread and common in Aug through mid Sep, fewer Oct. On African coasts from begin Sept. Along coasts of Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean begin May and mid Aug to end Sep.

Connectivity by Month by Region for Sanderling

Birds in W Europe and UK in winter connect to Iceland in May, Greenland June, and to Baltic in Aug-Sep. Spring passage Apr-May connects to both Greenland, northern Scandinavia and Russia in Jun-Jul, and Africa Sep-Mar. Birds during autumn passage Aug-Oct connect to Iceland in May, West Africa in winter and Baltic in Aug-Sep. Few birds in summer show similar patterns. One connection with Black Sea Oct. Relatively many connections between SW in winter/spring and Norway in Aug-Sep. Few connections between N and C Europe in winter and close by shores in various months. Few connections during Apr-May and Africa Dec-Jan. Most connections during Aug-Oct with Iceland May, Greenland Jun-Jul, White Sea Sep and W Europe and Africa Sep-Feb. One direct connection between Greenland Jun and Cabo Verde Apr.

Henk van der Jeugd

References

Statistics Map
N records N individuals N recoveries
Mapped data*
Total available data
*Mapped data include only distant (>= 50 km) recoveries