No. 25. Sandpipers

 [Remember to click on the photo to enlarge the image]

Sandpipers comprise a group of small waders, mosily between 18 -25cms in length.  Eight of the group  can be seen (if you''re lucky) in the lowland pastures and coastal areas of Cyprus as they make their migratory passage between Northern Europe, Scandinavia and the arctic summer down to Africa and the Middle East over winter. Most of them are seen feeding in freshwater  bogs, marshes and reedbeds, but some species prefer the more saline conditions of salt flats and estuaries. 

During the latter half of April and the first week of May this year the two pools at Secret Valley GC played host to daily visits from two species of Sandpipers - the Common Sandpiper and the Wood Sandpiper. The birds were present at intervals throughout the day, though most frequently in the late afternoon and early evening when they were both found feeding in the little stream feeding the upper pool in front of the 12th Green (despite the lack of running water) and along the edges of the top pool where both species were actively feeding in the plants and silt at the ponds edge. They are generally well camouflaged in these surroundings so you need to keep a sharp look out in order to see them.

Common Sandpiper (at rear) and Wood Sandpiper in the SV pond feeder stream

Common Sandpiper

The Common Sandpiper usually draws attention to itself when it suddenly flies away from you with a series of short shrill calls as it skims low over the water surface. It's quite a small wader,  about the size of a blackbird. From any distance it appears to be a uniform brown colour on the head, neck, back and wings while the underside is a very distinctly defined white. Its legs are quite short so the bird usually appears rather crouched in its posture. It frequently 'bobs' the rear of the body as it moves along the shoreline, searching and feeding for insects and grubs. When it suddenly flies the dark wings are divided by very distinctive white markings that catch your eye.

Common Sandpiper landing at pond edge

Common Sandpiper feeding in muddy pool

Common Sandpiper - wondering if rain is due

Wood Sandpiper

The Wood Sandpiper is about the same size as the Common, but with slightly longer legs. The upper body is again a rather uniform brown when seen from any distance, but in close up the breast has a diffuse pattern of grey streaks while the back is brown with irregular pale spots. The greyish head shows a very distinct white eye stripe (supercilium) extending from the beak to the back of the head. The Wood Sandpiper also tends to bob the rear of its body, like the Common Sandpiper. 

Both the Common and Wood Sandpiper were often seen feeding together in the stream and along the perimeter of the ponds. Both species spend the winter in West Africa and then migrate to Northern Europe to their breeding habitats - mainly in the lakes and wetlands of north and west Britain, Europe and Scandinavia.

Wood Sandpiper - note the white spotted back and clear supercilium

Wood Sandpiper searching in pond debris

Wood Sandpiper admiring the pond from the 12th fairway

Green Sandpiper

The Green Sandpiper is very similar in appearance to the Wood Sandpiper but has a much darker back and a very white underside. The back is actually almost black in colour and has small pale spots that stand out. They are very shy and will will suddenly fly away with much noisy whistling calls when disturbed. The rump and tail are distinctly white with a couple of dark bars that show up clearly when the bird is in flight, making the bird look somewhat like a large House Martin.

The Green Sandpiper breeds mainly in Scandinavia and then, like the other species, migrates south to overwinter in Africa. Apparently the female lays her eggs in a tree (not on the ground, as most other Sandpipers), often using the disused nest of another bird or even an old squirrel's drey. When the chicks hatch they tumble to the ground and are then escorted to safe feeding places by the parents, until they are ready to migrate south.

Green Sandpiper feeding in shallow stream

Green Sandpiper in pond at Ayia Varvara

Small group of Green Sandpipers ready make a sudden exit

Marsh Sandpiper

The adult Marsh Sandpiper is a very greyish-brown on the back, neck and head with distinct black spots and bars. The underside is white with black or grey streaks. It has very long spindly legs that distinguish it from the other Sandpipers, and the beak is also very long, straight and needle-like. It is the most elegant of the Sandpipers, and the proportions of the legs and beak resemble those of a Black-winged Stilt. In flight the Marsh Sandpiper shows a very distinct white wedge on the back, extending from the tail almost to the neck. 

Marsh Sandpiper - a very elegant bird

Marsh Sandpiper - note the very straight but fine bill

Curlew Sandpiper

The Curlew Sandpiper is a smaller Sandpiper with a very distinct brick-red colouration in its summer plumage, the winter colours being predominantly grey and white. It is a passage migrant and, though not uncommonly seen in Cyprus, is mainly seen during the summer months.It breeds in arctic Siberia and Scandinavia and winters mainly in Africa.

 It is usually seen feeding in salt mudflats rather than in freshwater pools, often in mixed flocks with Dunlin. Its distinct downward curving bill and long legs are reminiscent of the Curlew that it is named after (though very much smaller in size, of course). The photograph shows a few individuals seen at Akrotiri mudflats by Lady's Mile in April.

Two Curlew Sandpipers feeding in the salt water pools at Akrotiri

Other Sandpipers found in Cyprus are the Baird's Sandpiper, Terek Sandpiper, the Broad-billed Sandpiper, and the Pectoral Sandpiper. All of these are classified as 'Vagrant' species so are less commonly seen - especially by me!

11 July 2021

All photographs by Trevor Fordham