Common Sandpiper - 1995 breeding

Common sandpiper bred at Clarydale, Wiston - newly-hatched young found on 25 July (DL).

First (and only) time this century for Pembs

1995 Pembrokeshire Bird Report

Common Sandpiper - 1949

Actitis hypoleucos

Mathew described it a summer visitor abundant on brooks "near Maenchlogog" There is, however, no evidence so far that it has bred in the county.  On the coasts and the island a passage migrant in small numbers

R.M.Lockley, G.C.S.Ingram, H.M.Salmon, 1949, The Birds of Pembrokeshire, The West Wales Field Society

Common Sandpiper - 1994

Passage migrant and winter visitor, formerly bred

Mathew (1894) stated that Common Sandpipers bred near Maenclochog. Lockley et al. (1949) chose not to admit this record and there have been no breeding records in Pembrokeshire since.

Autumn passage commences as early as 19 June and continues to mid-October, with a late group of 11 on the Cleddau Estuary on 11 November 1984. Small parties of up to 13 occur on all estuaries, on coastal pools, rocky shores, offshore islands and inland ponds and streams.

Up to four winter on the Cleddau Estuary each year, most consistently at Westfield Pill. One wintered on the Nevem Estuary in 1968 and one was seen at St Bride's Haven on 26 January 1987.

Spring passage is smaller than that of the autumn, with groups of up to five stopping off briefly between 5 April and 24 May and seen in similar areas.

They have been heard passing over the county at night and have been seen during lighthouse attractions at the Smalls and South Bishop.

Donovan J.W. & Rees G.H (1994), Birds of Pembrokeshire

Common Sandpiper - 1980s winter atlas

The BTO winter atlas showed that Common Sandpipers were present in six estuarine 10km squares during the winters of 1981-82, 1982-82 and 1983-84.

The darkest colour represents 2 birds seen a day, the lighter blue represents one bird in a day. The UK is at the northern extremity of the winter range of this species.

Graham Rees 

Common Sandpiper - 1894

Species account from M Mathew, 1894, "The Birds of Pembrokeshire and its islands"

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