Pectoral Sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) is in the Sandpipers and Allies family (Scolopacidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 10,347 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.
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.
When to photograph Pectoral Sandpiper: observations by month (U.S.)
About Pectoral Sandpiper
The pectoral sandpiper (Calidris melanotos) is a small, migratory wader that breeds in North America and Asia, wintering in South America and Oceania. It eats small invertebrates. Its nest, a hole scraped in the ground and with a thick lining, is deep enough to protect its four eggs from the cool breezes of its breeding grounds. The pectoral sandpiper is 21 cm (8.3 in) long, with a wingspan of 46 cm (18 in).From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Pectoral Sandpiper by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 2,467 | April | Mar–May |
| California | 741 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Illinois | 605 | April | Apr–May |
| Ohio | 435 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Florida | 401 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Tennessee | 330 | April | Mar–May |
| Louisiana | 307 | April | Mar–May |
| Maryland | 291 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Alaska | 282 | May | May–Jul |
| Oregon | 266 | September | Aug–Oct |
| New York | 263 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Alabama | 250 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Minnesota | 242 | May | Apr–May |
| Washington | 241 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Kansas | 215 | May | Apr–May |
| Missouri | 204 | April | Apr–May |
| Wisconsin | 199 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 189 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Michigan | 177 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Massachusetts | 165 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Virginia | 159 | August | Aug–Sep |
| New Jersey | 128 | September | Aug–Oct |
| North Carolina | 127 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Oklahoma | 127 | April | Apr–May |
| Arkansas | 124 | April | Mar–May |
| Indiana | 121 | September | Jul–Oct |
| Vermont | 104 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Iowa | 97 | April | Apr–May |
| Arizona | 84 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Nebraska | 84 | April | Apr–May |
| Colorado | 83 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Mississippi | 76 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Connecticut | 75 | October | Jul–Oct |
| North Dakota | 67 | May | May–May |
| South Dakota | 66 | May | Apr–May |
| Georgia | 62 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Montana | 54 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Hawaii | 49 | October | Sep–Nov |
| Kentucky | 48 | September | Jul–Sep |
| South Carolina | 48 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Idaho | 47 | September | Sep–Oct |
| Delaware | 45 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Utah | 44 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Maine | 38 | October | Jul–Oct |
| New Mexico | 38 | September | Sep–Oct |
| West Virginia | 30 | September | Aug–Nov |
| Rhode Island | 17 | September | Aug–Sep |
| District of Columbia | 13 | October | Oct–Oct |
| New Hampshire | 11 | September | Aug–Nov |
| Wyoming | 7 | September | Sep–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Sandpipers and Allies)
Willet
Sanderling
Least Sandpiper
Spotted Sandpiper
Greater Yellowlegs
Ruddy Turnstone
Marbled Godwit
Long-billed Curlew
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 Pectoral Sandpiper?
Nationally, September has the most observations, with the main season from August to October.
Where is Pectoral Sandpiper most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, California, Illinois.