The winter distribution of Purple Sandpipers in Britain

Abstract

A survey of numerical data from regional sources suggests that the British wintering population of Purple Sandpipers is between 14,500 and 23,000 birds, mainly concentrated in the north-east.THE PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima will winter in more northern latitudes than any other species of wader. It has an almost circumpolar Holarctic breeding distribution, and is present all year in those coastal parts of this range which remain ice-free in winter. Elsewhere it is migratory, and the wintering range extends south to 45°N (Voous 1960). It is a strictly maritime species in winter and occurs mainly on rocky shores. Because it is seldom found on muddy estuaries, its winter population in Britain has remained largely undocumented by the Birds of Estuaries Enquiry being sponsored by the British Trust for Ornithology, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Wildfowl Trust (see Prater 1977). In an attempt to fill this gap in our knowledge, an investigation was made into the distribution of Purple Sandpipers in Britain, and the results are reported here. The main aims were to estimate the size of the wintering population and to identify the more important stretches of coastline in Britain for this species.

Population, Movements and Biometrics of the Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima in Eastern Scotland

“…The main concentration of the wintering population of 14500-23000 birds is in the north-east (Atkinson et al 1978). The main concentration of the wintering population of 14500-23000 birds is in the north-east (Atkinson et al 1978).…”

Survival and winter site-fidelity of TurnstonesArenaria interpresand Purple SandpipersCalidris maritimain northeast England

“…Previous studies have suggested that site fidelity is high (though most have not reported return rates 22,24,34 ). One study in Germany found that 79-83% of colourringed birds returned to the same wintering area after the breeding season.…”

“…Site-fidelity between winters has been recorded in a number of studies of both Turnstones [18][19][20][21] and Purple Sandpipers 22,24,34,35 (also K-B. Strann, pers.…”

“…Previous studies have shown high withinwinter site-fidelity for both Turnstones [18][19][20][21] and Purple Sandpipers. 14,[22][23][24] The high degree of residency shown by both species is probably a consequence of the regular availability of their usual rocky shore invertebrate foods. 4,25,26 Unlike those invertebrates living in soft substrates, rocky shore species are not usually affected by wave action or sediment erosion 5,27 or made less accessible by cold weather.…”

Geographical origins and movements of shorebirds using the firth of forth

“…However, they are sedentary during winter and also very loyal to wintering areas between years (Atkinson, Davies & Prater 1978, Atkinson et al 1981. Four Purple Sandpipers from breeding areas in SW Norway have been found wintering on the rocky shore of the Forth.…”