The Bird that Runs from Waves

By Corey • October 27, 2008 • 16 comments

If you see shorebirds on a coastal beach in North America they are most likely Sanderlings (Calidris alba). If they are running back and forth as the waves ebb and flow they are almost assuredly Sanderlings. They are the “clockwork toy” birds according to Sibley, “The Bird That Plays Tag with the Waves” according to Pete Dunne, and The Shorebird Guide points out that Sanderlings are “probably the most widespread shorebird in the world.” They appear on all the continents except Antarctica and migrate anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 miles from breeding grounds on the tundra to temperate and tropical beaches. They are far and away my favorite shorebird. I saw over 200 of them Sunday at Rockaway Beach and stuck around to watch and photograph them.

I was at the beach in the morning, enjoying the sun after a day of clouds and wind and rain. Rockaway Beach isn’t really a birding hotspot, for good reason, with condos, apartment buildings, and an elevated subway visible from the beach, but some small patches of marginal scrubby habitat exist on the non-beach side of the boardwalk. I was hoping to find a host of sparrows, and did see some, but the Sanderlings definitely stole the show.

Not only are Sanderlings fun to watch they leave cool tracks too. Note the three-toed imprints left behind, the better for running.

The next time you are on the coast keep your eye out for the little birds running from the waves…and enjoy those Sanderlings!

This post has been submitted to Bird Photography Weekly #10. Go check it out!

Tags: Birds, features, Queens, Sanderlings, shorebirds

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About the Author

Corey

Corey is a New Yorker who has lived most of his life upstate but has spent the last three years in Queens. He's only been birding since 2005 but has garnered a respectable life list by birding whenever he wasn't working as a union representative or spending time with his family. He lives in Forest Hills with Daisy, their son, Desmond Shearwater, and their two indoor cats, Hunter and B.B.

16 Responses to “The Bird that Runs from Waves”

Charlie Oct 27th, 2008 at 3:05 am
lovely photos corey
Joseph Oct 27th, 2008 at 7:04 am
I saw a huge flock of sanderlings last weekend. I was at Jones Beach and from a distance I saw what looked like a dark patch of sand, but on closer examination it was a flock of birds.
I walked up to the flock to get a better look and it turned out to be at least 1000 sanderlings that were resting, probably seeking shelter from the strong winds that day.
Larry Oct 27th, 2008 at 7:29 am
Hi Cory, Incredibly beautiful shots of this fun bird. I really like the in flight captures you got, just gorgeous. I remember the Sanderlings from when I was a kid playing on the beach. Peterson describes them as the bird “that chases retreating waves like a wind up toy”. Thanks for sharing the joy!
pohanginapete Oct 27th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Yes, great photos Corey. The flight photos are great, especially the fourth where they’re alighting and one has already begun to run, but it’s the first photo that really draws my eye. The bird running, both feet just above the water — a moment that truly shows the character of the little bird.
Mary Carlson Oct 27th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Your in-flight photos are spectacular, Corey. It’s always fun to watch these birds when walking on the beach.
Corey Oct 27th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
@Charlie: Thanks!
@Joseph: Their numbers are amazing, aren’t they?
@Larry: Thanks! Watching Sanderlings just makes me feel happy.
@pohanginapete: I was hoping someone would notice both feet off the ground! Thanks!
@Mary: Isn’t it great that they are a bird that nearly everyone in the world can enjoy (well, at least those near the coasts)?
Ambika Oct 28th, 2008 at 3:18 am
Thanks for the id tip! Such fun, wish I see some!
Arija Nov 3rd, 2008 at 10:08 am
Wonderful Photos. The early morning light is so clear! Love the in flight shots.
Mick Nov 3rd, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Great photos. Your post made me go back and compare the photos of Sanderlings I took last season out here in SE Queensland, Australia. They are not common around here.
Corey Nov 3rd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
@Ambika, Arija, Mick: Thanks!
@Mick: They might not be common but the very fact that you can go out and see, in Australia, the same species I am seeing here in New York is awesome (at least, when they aren’t House Sparrows).
Sparverius Nov 4th, 2008 at 11:10 am
The photos are incredible. And being terrible at shore birds, I especially appreciated your description of their behavior.
Birdfreak Nov 4th, 2008 at 11:59 am
Awesome photos!! What lens were you shooting with? I especially love the one with the perfect shadow.
This past year I have really grown to love shorebirds (although we definitely have fewer in Illinois).
Kyle Nov 4th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Fantastic photos, Corey. I especially love the two “on the wing” shots. And the footprints — I’ve definitely seen those before!
Thanks for sharing. Always a treat to see your photography on 10,000 Birds.
~Kyle
Red Nov 6th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Beautiful! And thanks for all that info on them too. It’s a wonderful post with all kinds of action shots of the sanderling.
Alwan Feb 9th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Beautiful Photos! Thanks for Sharing!
Louisa Nov 8th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
I love these birds. I did a google search for funny birds running from waves and your blog was in the SERP – happy I found your work!