These small gray-and-white sandpipers are commonly seen on beaches from early fall through late spring running in and out along the surf's edge.

Buffier, spangled juveniles can be seen in late summer but the stunning rufous breeding plumage is less often seen and can be starling and confusing. The larger size, larger bill, and different habits of the Sanderling help distinguish it in all plumages from other small sandpipers.

It is common to locally abundant on open sand beaches from fall through spring. Statewide, it is a rare to locally uncommon migrant inland, most often reported along the Columbia River and at eastern Oregon lakes. It is also a rare migrant in northeast Oregon and Malheur County.

Hear the call of the Sanderling

Photo by Tim Moore