Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) is in the Sandpipers and Allies family (Scolopacidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 15,728 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in August.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
When to photograph Western Sandpiper: observations by month (U.S.)
About Western Sandpiper
The western sandpiper (Calidris mauri) 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 mauri commemorates Italian botanist Ernesto Mauri (1791–1836).From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Western Sandpiper by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 8,891 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Texas | 1,282 | August | Jul–Nov |
| Oregon | 1,182 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Washington | 1,131 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Florida | 886 | August | Jul–Nov |
| Alaska | 543 | May | May–Jun |
| Arizona | 312 | August | Aug–Sep |
| South Carolina | 156 | March | Jul–Apr |
| Louisiana | 119 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Colorado | 103 | April | Apr–May |
| Idaho | 103 | August | Jul–Sep |
| New Mexico | 98 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Utah | 81 | April | Apr–May |
| New Jersey | 71 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Alabama | 63 | September | Aug–Oct |
| North Carolina | 60 | October | Jul–Nov |
| Nevada | 59 | August | Jul–Sep |
| New York | 59 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Mississippi | 53 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Delaware | 48 | July | Jul–Aug |
| Maryland | 47 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Tennessee | 46 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Massachusetts | 45 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Virginia | 41 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Ohio | 31 | September | Jul–Sep |
| Georgia | 28 | August | Aug–Nov |
| Oklahoma | 21 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Kansas | 20 | April | Apr–May |
| Montana | 20 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Maine | 16 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Michigan | 13 | June | Jun–Aug |
| Illinois | 12 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Nebraska | 11 | April | Apr–May |
| Connecticut | 10 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Rhode Island | 10 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Wyoming | 10 | August | Jul–Aug |
| Minnesota | 9 | May | May–May |
| Hawaii | 7 | October | Oct–Oct |
| Missouri | 7 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Pennsylvania | 7 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Kentucky | 5 | 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 Western Sandpiper?
Nationally, August has the most observations, with the main season from July to October.
Where is Western Sandpiper most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Texas, Oregon.