These brownish, heavily streaked, medium-sized shorebirds are often seen peering over grass in the more overgrown parts of mudflats, especially in fall.

It is found statewide in migration; largest numbers in fall, and it is sometimes all but absent in spring. It is common on the outer coast but also in wet coastal pastures. They are more local inland but large flocks can be found in preferred habitat.

Hear the call of the Pectoral sandpiper

Photo by Jason Crotty, Flickr