Sanderling
Scientific Name: Calidris albaMaltese Name: Pispisella Bajda
Family: Waders (Scolopacidae)
Occurence: Scarce
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
he Sanderling is a small wader, it is an Arctic breeder, and is a long-distance migrant, wintering South Europe and Africa. It is highly gregarious in winter, sometimes forming large flocks on coastal mudflats or sandy beaches. The winter bird is very pale, almost white apart from a dark shoulder patch. This is the source of the specific name, alba, which is the Latin for "white". Later in the summer, the face and throat become brick-red. This bird is similar in size to a Dunlin, but stouter, with a thick bill. It eats small crabs and other small invertebrates.
Status:
Scarce migrant. Few sightings per year, mostly in singles.
When to See:
Late March till May in Spring and August till September in Autumn.
Where to See:
Mostly seen on rocky coasts but Ghadira Nature Reserve and Salina are good places to see this bird as well.
Photographs:
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Sanderling, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
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