The Sanderling is one of the most widespread of all the shorebirds. It also has a long migration route. Some of the Canadian nesters migrate south as far as Tierra del Fuego in Argentina on both the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. You can see them as far north as Massachusetts during our winter. Their northward return goes from late March through late May.
Large flocks fly between staging grounds where they can fuel up their bodies with high-energy foods.
Some of the non-breeders remain south all year. The Sanderling, along with other species of shorebirds, is declining in numbers because of habitat pressures, human disturbances, and possible loss of food resources. The Ruddy Turnstone is a stocky medium sized shorebird. Its striking breeding plumage has patterns of black, white and rust-red on its back. It also has a black bib, white belly, and short coral-red colored legs.