Sanderling (Calidris alba) is in the Sandpipers and Allies family (Scolopacidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 51,766 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 Sanderling: observations by month (U.S.)
About Sanderling
The sanderling (Calidris alba) is a small wading bird. The name derives from Old English sand-yrðling, "sand-ploughman". The genus name is from Ancient Greek kalidris or skalidris, a term used by Aristotle for some grey-coloured waterside birds. The specific alba is Latin for "white".From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Sanderling by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 12,088 | December | Aug–May |
| California | 11,022 | January | Aug–Apr |
| Texas | 7,188 | April | Aug–May |
| North Carolina | 2,812 | August | Jul–Nov |
| South Carolina | 2,344 | October | Aug–May |
| New Jersey | 2,034 | August | Aug–Oct |
| Massachusetts | 1,860 | August | Aug–Jan |
| New York | 1,407 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Virginia | 1,290 | August | Aug–Jan |
| Alabama | 1,126 | April | Aug–May |
| Washington | 866 | September | Aug–May |
| Delaware | 762 | August | Aug–Oct |
| Oregon | 716 | September | Aug–Feb |
| Maryland | 700 | August | Aug–Feb |
| Louisiana | 679 | April | Apr–May |
| Illinois | 646 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Georgia | 640 | December | Aug–May |
| Michigan | 503 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Mississippi | 438 | May | Mar–May |
| Hawaii | 419 | December | Sep–Apr |
| Maine | 315 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Rhode Island | 279 | September | Jul–Jan |
| Ohio | 240 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Connecticut | 233 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Minnesota | 138 | May | May–May |
| Wisconsin | 127 | May | May–May |
| Alaska | 105 | May | May–Sep |
| Indiana | 98 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 86 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Colorado | 71 | May | May–May |
| New Hampshire | 58 | September | Aug–Dec |
| Utah | 56 | May | Apr–May |
| Vermont | 51 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Kansas | 43 | May | May–May |
| Arizona | 37 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Idaho | 37 | September | Aug–Sep |
| North Dakota | 35 | May | May–May |
| Tennessee | 35 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Missouri | 24 | May | May–May |
| Montana | 23 | May | May–May |
| Nebraska | 23 | May | May–May |
| New Mexico | 21 | September | Sep–Sep |
| South Dakota | 21 | May | May–May |
| Oklahoma | 16 | May | May–May |
| Kentucky | 14 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Iowa | 12 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Wyoming | 9 | September | Sep–Sep |
| West Virginia | 8 | September | Sep–Sep |
| Nevada | 5 | October | Aug–Oct |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related birds (Sandpipers and Allies)
Willet
Least Sandpiper
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 Sanderling?
Nationally, September has the most observations, with the main season from August to May.
Where is Sanderling most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, California, Texas.