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 was first published back in October 2008, but these Sanderlings are too sweet to keep locked up in the archives!)
lovely photos corey
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.
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!
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.
Your in-flight photos are spectacular, Corey. It’s always fun to watch these birds when walking on the beach.
@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)?
Thanks for the id tip! Such fun, wish I see some!
Wonderful Photos. The early morning light is so clear! Love the in flight shots.
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.
@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).
The photos are incredible. And being terrible at shore birds, I especially appreciated your description of their behavior.
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).
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
Beautiful! And thanks for all that info on them too. It’s a wonderful post with all kinds of action shots of the sanderling.
Beautiful Photos! Thanks for Sharing!
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!
If I’ve fallen to my knees with tears of laughter from how fast their little legs are going, they are probably Sanderlings.
If I ever need a tribal name I’m taking that one “Bird that runs from waves”.
Thanks for reposting this. I love the Sanderlings here on the Olympic Peninsula, and have tried over and over to get good photos of them as they race about, with no success. These are terrific!
That is so cool, I never thought that you guys had Sanderlings as well. They are my favourite bird when we go to the coast for holidays, however like Wendy I have had problems getting good photos of them.
As I write this I can see them running along the beach, down with the retreating waves and back up again with the next waves..legs moving so fast you can hardly see them!! Great photos Corey!
they are so cute to watch, i love watching them run away from the waves and run back when the waves retreat and get busy feasting with whatever is in the sand.
Thank you for the information on sanderlings! I’m on the beach at the Outer Banks, NC right now and my family and I have loved watching these cute little birds! I’ll have to bring my proper camera out and take some nice photos of them.
I’ve just googled “what are the seabirds whose legs go so fast in sync with the waves”. I thought it was a long-shot, but, voila, your article came up with the perfect title! I love your other cited descriptors too. I have also become incredibly fond of this shorebird since moving to the east coast of Florida last month. Thank you for writing about them and sharing your amazing photos of these “going concern” beauties!