Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) is in the Sandpipers and Allies family (Scolopacidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 11,838 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: summer visitor / breeder. 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 Semipalmated Sandpiper: observations by month (U.S.)
About Semipalmated Sandpiper
The semipalmated sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) is a very 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 pusilla is Latin for "very small".From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Semipalmated Sandpiper by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 1,125 | April | Apr–May |
| New York | 1,099 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 1,093 | August | Aug–Sep |
| New Jersey | 940 | May | May–May |
| Florida | 790 | May | May–May |
| Illinois | 542 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Maine | 485 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Delaware | 472 | May | May–May |
| Maryland | 461 | May | May–May |
| Michigan | 348 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Ohio | 323 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Connecticut | 317 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Virginia | 280 | May | May–May |
| Alaska | 262 | June | May–Jul |
| California | 224 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Louisiana | 212 | May | Apr–May |
| South Carolina | 208 | May | May–May |
| North Carolina | 204 | May | May–Jun |
| Kansas | 196 | May | Apr–May |
| Tennessee | 193 | May | May–May |
| Rhode Island | 178 | August | Jun–Sep |
| Wisconsin | 177 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Washington | 150 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Oregon | 142 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Minnesota | 135 | May | May–Jun |
| Pennsylvania | 133 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Vermont | 104 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Alabama | 90 | May | Apr–May |
| Colorado | 78 | May | Apr–May |
| New Hampshire | 76 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Montana | 72 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Oklahoma | 70 | May | Apr–May |
| Georgia | 69 | May | May–May |
| Missouri | 68 | May | May–May |
| Nebraska | 67 | May | Apr–May |
| Indiana | 56 | August | Aug–Sep |
| South Dakota | 53 | May | May–May |
| Mississippi | 51 | May | Apr–May |
| Arizona | 46 | August | Aug–Aug |
| Arkansas | 44 | May | May–May |
| Iowa | 39 | May | May–May |
| North Dakota | 29 | May | Apr–Jun |
| Utah | 29 | August | Aug–Aug |
| West Virginia | 27 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Kentucky | 24 | August | Aug–Sep |
| New Mexico | 20 | April | Apr–May |
| Idaho | 17 | August | Jul–Sep |
| District of Columbia | 8 | May | May–May |
| Wyoming | 8 | May | Apr–May |
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 Semipalmated Sandpiper?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from July to September.
Where is Semipalmated Sandpiper most often seen?
The most observations come from Texas, New York, Massachusetts.