Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) is in the Sandpipers and Allies family (Scolopacidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 47,323 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: spring and fall migrant. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): NT.
When to photograph Least Sandpiper: observations by month (U.S.)
About Least Sandpiper
The least sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) is the smallest shorebird. The genus name is from Ancient Greek kalidris or skalidris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The specific minutilla is Medieval Latin for "very small".From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Least Sandpiper by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 17,504 | September | Jul–Apr |
| Texas | 8,370 | April | Mar–May |
| Florida | 3,089 | April | Jul–May |
| Washington | 1,495 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Oregon | 1,300 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Arizona | 1,224 | April | Aug–Apr |
| New York | 1,154 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Maryland | 894 | May | May–May |
| Massachusetts | 889 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Illinois | 882 | May | May–May |
| New Jersey | 712 | May | May–May |
| Ohio | 622 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Louisiana | 620 | April | Apr–May |
| South Carolina | 532 | September | Jul–May |
| Alaska | 524 | May | May–Aug |
| Virginia | 524 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 481 | May | May–May |
| Michigan | 449 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Maine | 440 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Tennessee | 407 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Alabama | 354 | September | Aug–Nov |
| North Carolina | 338 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 335 | May | May–May |
| Kansas | 329 | May | Apr–May |
| Minnesota | 294 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Connecticut | 282 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Oklahoma | 250 | September | Aug–Nov |
| Colorado | 249 | April | Apr–May |
| Delaware | 248 | May | May–May |
| New Mexico | 245 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Vermont | 234 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Georgia | 216 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Missouri | 199 | May | Apr–May |
| Arkansas | 160 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Nevada | 158 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Rhode Island | 157 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Nebraska | 143 | May | May–May |
| Indiana | 139 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Utah | 121 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Mississippi | 119 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Idaho | 100 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Iowa | 82 | May | May–May |
| Montana | 78 | August | Aug–Aug |
| New Hampshire | 77 | August | Jul–Aug |
| South Dakota | 75 | May | May–May |
| North Dakota | 63 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 52 | September | Aug–Oct |
| West Virginia | 51 | May | May–May |
| District of Columbia | 26 | May | Apr–May |
| Wyoming | 20 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Hawaii | 17 | September | Sep–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Sandpipers and Allies)
Willet
Sanderling
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Marbled Godwit
Long-billed Curlew
Hudsonian Whimbrel
Photography tips
- Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
- Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
- Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
- Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Least Sandpiper?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from July to January.
Where is Least Sandpiper most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Florida.