Purple Sandpiper (Calidris maritima) is in the Sandpipers and Allies family (Scolopacidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 2,770 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: winter visitor. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Purple Sandpiper: observations by month (U.S.)
About Purple Sandpiper
The purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima) is a small shorebird. The genus name is from Ancient Greek kalidris or skalidris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The specific maritima is from Latin and means "of the sea", from mare, "sea".From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Purple Sandpiper by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 625 | February | Nov–Mar |
| Massachusetts | 429 | January | Nov–Mar |
| New York | 371 | January | Nov–Mar |
| Florida | 234 | January | Dec–Mar |
| Maine | 212 | May | Nov–May |
| Maryland | 173 | December | Nov–Feb |
| Delaware | 115 | January | Dec–Mar |
| Rhode Island | 76 | December | Dec–Jan |
| Virginia | 70 | January | Dec–Apr |
| Texas | 68 | February | Feb–Apr |
| Illinois | 60 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Michigan | 55 | November | Nov–Jan |
| Connecticut | 40 | December | Dec–Jan |
| North Carolina | 37 | November | Nov–Jan |
| New Hampshire | 34 | January | Dec–Feb |
| Ohio | 32 | December | Nov–Feb |
| South Carolina | 26 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Tennessee | 25 | January | Jan–Jan |
| Wisconsin | 24 | January | Jan–Jan |
| Georgia | 13 | January | Nov–Jan |
| California | 11 | January | Dec–Jan |
| Colorado | 9 | December | Dec–Dec |
| New Mexico | 8 | January | Jan–Feb |
| Pennsylvania | 8 | December | Dec–Dec |
| Vermont | 8 | November | Nov–Nov |
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 Purple Sandpiper?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from November to March.
Where is Purple Sandpiper most often seen?
The most observations come from New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York.