Tidal flats at Spanish Banks, Aug 10th

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Yesterday I ventured out to Spanish Banks at low tide, secretly hoping to encounter some of the Elegant Terns that were recently sighted nearby. I found no terns and ended up with wet feet and muddier than usual – but I was able to spend some time with small flocks of Western & Least sandpipers.

Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)

Least Sandpiper

Sandpipers are tiny birds, and Least Sandpipers are the smallest of them all – measuring 13-15 cm from bill-tip to tail, and weighing 19-30 grams (around the same as a AA battery!). Collectively known as peeps, they can be challenging to identify. The greenish-yellow legs are one of the field marks for these birds.

Spanish Banks on

Tidal flats at Spanish Banks, Aug 10th

Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla)