Broad-billed Sandpiper
Scientific Name: Limicola falcinellusMaltese Name: Pispisella Bumunqar
Family: Sandpipers and allies (Scolopacidae)
Occurence: Vagrant
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
Broad-billed Sandpipers are small waders, slightly smaller than the Dunlin, but with a longer straighter bill (slightly kinked down at tip), and shorter legs. The breeding adult has patterned dark grey upperparts and white underparts with blackish markings on the breast. It has a striped head with a black crown and white supercilia.
They forage in soft mud on marshes and the coast, mainly picking up food by sight. They mostly eat insects and other small invertebrates.
Despite its North European breeding range, this species is rare on passage in western Europe, presumably because of the south-easterly migration route.
Status:
Vagrant to the Maltese Islands, recorded only 6 times. The latest recorded was on May 13th 2006 when 1 bird was seen by a handful of birdwatchers at Ghadira Nature Reserve. Another bird was present at Ghadira Nature Reserve in July 2002.
When to See:
Mostly Recorded in July and August. 1 Record in May.
Where to See:
3 Records from the south coast of Malta and 3 Records at Ghadira Nature Reserves.
Photographs:
 |
 |
| Broad-billed Sandpiper, Ghadira Nature Reserve, 13th May 2006 | Broad-billed Sandpiper, Ghadira Nature Reserve, 13th May 2006 |
Back to Bird Species List