Pectoral Sandpiper - Calidris melanotos

Description

Larger than Dunlin, solidly built with relatively long neck and small head, similar to a female Ruff, it is easily separated from almost all other waders by the sharp contrast between the dark-patterned chest (the pectoral line) and the white belly. Other distinctive features include its yellowish legs, pale base to the bill and two pairs of white lines down the back, like braces. In flight, the pale wingbar is so narrow it is barely noticeable

Similar Species

Needs to be separated from Dunlin and Curlew Sandpiper

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Most likely to be found at muddy and grass covered shores of freshwater pools, marshes or lakes.

When to see it

July to October with peak September to October

UK Status

Rare visitor from arctic America and eastern Siberia

VC55 Status

First recorded at Eyebrook Reservoir in 1953 there have been some 35 individuals recorded up to 2011

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
Pectoral Sandpiper
Species group:
Birds
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Charadriiformes
Family:
Scolopacidae
Records on NatureSpot:
12
First record:
30/09/2005 (Chris Lythall)
Last record:
22/10/2022 (Tivey, Chris)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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