Wood Sandpiper
Scientific Name: Tringa glareolaMaltese Name: Swejda Cara
Family: Sandpipers (Scolopacidae)
Occurence: Common
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Wood Sandpiper is a small wader. It resembles a longer-legged and more delicate Green Sandpiper with a short fine bill, brown back and longer yellowish legs. The Wood Sandpiper breeds in subarctic wetlands from the Scottish Highlands across Europe and Asia. They migrate to Africa and southern Asia. This bird is usually found on freshwater during migration and wintering. They forage by probing in shallow water or on wet mud, and mainly eat insects and similar small prey. The Wood Sandpiper nests on the ground or uses an abandoned old tree nest of another bird, such as the Fieldfare.
Status:
Common Spring and Autumn migrant, often seen in flocks, even very large ones.
When to See:
Mid-March till Late May and mid-July till October.
Where to See:
Ghadira and Simar Nature Reserves and Salina are good places too see this bird resting. Regularly seen from coasts migrating.
Photographs:
 |
Wood Sandpiper, Simar Nature Reserve |
 |
Wood Sandpipers and Ruff, Ghadira Nature Reserve |
 |
Flock of Wood Sandpipers, Simar Nature Reserve |
Back to Bird Species List