The enigmatic Solitary sandpiper may be one of the least understood of Oregon's regularly occurring shorebirds.

As its name implies, the species is most often found singly, and it rarely occurs in groups of more than two individuals. The Solitary sandpiper frequents habitats not often utilized by other migrant shorebirds, such as smaller and often partly wooded patches of water, and high-altitude bogs and wet meadows.

It is an uncommon to rare migrant in fresh water or brackish habitats throughout Oregon; rarest along outer coast and in alkali habitats. Spring adults more common in the western interior valleys; fall juveniles are more common than adults in all regions an more common east of the Cascades.

Hear the call of the Solitary sandpiper

Photo by David Bronson, ODFW