Spotted Sandpiper

On November 23, 2023 Judy and I were in northern California on our way to San Francisco to spend Thanksgiving with my brother, David. We'd spent the night in Redwood City near the Bair Island Wildlife Refuge & Trail and that morning I got up early to take a walk in the refuge. I saw my first spotted sandpiper.

On March 17, 2026, Judy and I were in Caye Caulker, Belize on a birding trip with a guide and I saw another couple of spotted sandpipers from a boat on the shore. 

None of the ones I have seen have been in breeding plumage, but the range map below, shows that I have always seen them in their wintering grounds during times of non-breeding. 

Illustration in breeding plumage from Birds of the World.

Illustration flying

Illustration of non-breeding plumage from Birds of the World. 

Range from Birds of the World.