Sanderling are unremarkable small wading birds of the sandpiper family which migrate south from their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra to overwinter along some of Scotland's beaches, often in the company of similar waders such as ringed plovers.
We see them in small groups almost every time we walk along the sandy beaches of places like Golspie and Brora. They allow us to approach very close, often preferring to run away from us before reluctantly taking to the air in impressively tight formation, flying out over the sea to return to a less disturbed section of the beach.
They feed on invertebrates which they catch where the waves run up the beach. What I love about them is that all the birds in the flock, as if totally exhausted by the effort of feeding, will suddenly stand on one foot, tuck their heads under their wings, and take a nap, even though....
....they have to wake up and run as the next wave comes in. Even then, many are so laid back that, rather than running, they hop up the beach on the one leg they happen to be using.
They're a lovely little bird from which we have obtained great pleasure. We often stop, sometimes standing for some minutes, just to watch them.
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