Quick identification
Sanderling (Calidris alba)
The small pale shorebird that runs with each advancing and retreating wave. Winter birds are white below and light gray above; spring birds gain rusty color.
Season and local range: Very common winter visitor and migrant.
Habitat and island setting
Wet Gulf beach and wrack line, especially the active swash zone.
Where to look
Almost any uncrowded town or north-end beach can produce sanderlings from fall through spring. Birds may move as tides, wind, fronts, water levels and activity at the site change.
What the bird is doing
They chase exposed invertebrates between waves. Give the flock a clear lane along the water instead of making it fly around you.
Watching birds
Use binoculars or a camera zoom, stay on public paths and leave feeding, resting and nesting birds enough room to continue normal behavior. If a bird stops feeding, stands alert, calls repeatedly or moves away because of you, increase the distance. Check access information in the South Padre Island birding guide before making a special trip.