PURPLE SANDPIPER – Calidris maritima

The name Purple Sandpiper was first coined by Walcot in 1789 to denote a rather rare species without a folk name of its own. The name 'Sandpiper' was first recorded in 1674 by Ray who described it as a Yorkshire word. They are late migrants and move to rocky ice-free Atlantic coasts in winter, most go no further south northern Portugal. They are fairly gregarious forming small flocks often in the company of Turnstone.

Notes from Howard H Davis - 1957: A winter visitor to the Severn Estuary where it probably occurs regularly in very small numbers usually with Turnstones. Has been noted at Severn Beach fairly frequently in recent years, and in all months from November to May. Several records from New Passage.

There have been around two hundred and sixty Purple Sandpipers reported from S. Gloucestershire, they are;

1936: (13)

Twelve were noted on the Severn Beach mud flats on March 29th; One was seen on May 10th on Severnside.

1937: (9)

Frequently observed with up to six at Severn Beach from mid-February to early May; One was noted on May 12th on Severnside; Two were seen at Severn Beach on November 7th.

1938: (14)

Frequently observed with up to ten at Severn Beach from late January to late April; Two were seen at Severn Beach on November 16th; Two were noted at Severn Beach on December 28th.

1939: (8)

Seen in small numbers at Severn Beach at the beginning of April and again in November and early December; Up to eight were noted at Severn Beach on December 17th.

1940: (7)

Up to six were seen on shingle and mud-flats off Severn Beach on various dates in January and February. Seven were present at Severn Beach on December 22nd.

1941: (6)

Noted at Severn Beach with four present on February 16th; Two were seen at New Passage on November 23rd.

1942: (8)

Frequently noted off Severn Beach from January to March; Up to eight were noted at Severn Beach on February 22nd.

1947: (1)

One was seen among Turnstones at Severn Beach on March 30th.

1953: (6)

Six were seen in company with Turnstones at Severn Beach on December 13th.

1954: (1)

One was noted at Severn Beach on February 28th.

1955: (4)

At least four were present at New Passage on April 10th; One was seen at Severn Beach on May 8th.

1960: (1)

One was seen at Severn Beach on March 20th.

1963: (3)

Three were seen at Severn Beach on November 24th.

1964: (3)

Two or three were seen at Severn Beach on December 28th.

1968: (3)

Three were reported from Severn Beach on December 10th.

1970 (7)

Between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach there were up to four between January 11th and April 30th, six from April 9th - 18th, four from November 1st until December 19th with seven present on December 19th.

1971: (5)

Up to five between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach between January and March 11th and again in November and December.

1972: (5)

Up to five between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach between January and March.

1973 (2)

One or two between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach between January and May 18th and December.

1974: (2)

One or two at Severn Beach between January and April 6th and December.

1975: (2)

One or two between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach on dates between January and April 26th and again between November 8th to the year end.

1976: (6)

Up to four between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach between January and May 22nd with six on April 10th. Singles birds reported from September to the year end.

1977: (3)

Up to three between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach up to May 12th and again after December 3rd.

1978: (14)

On or two at Severn Beach between January and April 1st; Eleven on April 7th; Up to five between April 15th and May 13th and up to three from December 1st.

1979: (6)

Up to six at Severn Beach between January and May 11th and again from October 27th to the year end. A maxima of six to the end of April with three in other months.

1980: (8)

Reported from Severn Beach and New Passage, up to three between January and May 4th and one or two again from November 15th with five from December 15th to the year end.

1982: (9)

Present on Severnside with a maximum of three up to February 15th and again with a maximum of six from October 23rd onwards.

1983: (6)

One or two on Severnside up to March 8th and again from October 14th with four from December 11th to the year end.

1984: (17)

Noted at Severn Beach up to March 18th and again from October 30th to the year end. Counts included, seven in January, five in February, three in March, four on October 31st, ten in November and five in December.

1985: (12)

Noted at Severn Beach up to March 29th and again from October to the year end. Counts included, six in January, one in February, two in March, one in October, six in November and three in December.

1986: (9)

Present at Severn Beach up to May 15th and again from October 21st to the year end. Counts included, up to nine in November and three in December.

1987: (10)

Recorded at Severn Beach up to May 9th and again from November 9th to the year end. Counts included, seven in January, six in February, four in March, eight in April, six in May. one in November and three in December.

1988: (5)

In the first winter period one was recorded at Severn Beach up to March 12th. In the second winter period also at Severn Beach there was one on November 19th and 20th and four on December 31st.

1989: (4)

Reported from Severn Beach, there were three on January 22nd; Single birds were noted on March 15th, 30th and 31st; One on October 29th; One on December 22nd.

1990: (1)

Single birds were reported from New Passage on December 9th and 27th.

1991: (3)

One was noted on August 28th at Severn Beach; Two were reported from Severn Beach on December 15th.

1992: (2)

Two were noted at Severn Beach on December 29th.

1993: (2)

Single birds were reported from Severn Beach on January 3rd and 10th and November 21st.

1994: (1)

One was reported from Severnside on the 9th November.

1998: (7)

Several records come from Severn Beach; One on October 30th; Two in November from the 15th - 20th and three on November 29th. In December, four on the 6th, one on the 13th and 24th and two on the 29th.

1999: (2)

Two at Severn Beach on January 3rd and 24th.

2000: (2)

Noted at Severn Beach with single birds on October 21st and 29th and November 6th.

2002: (1)

One was seen at New Passage on November 6th.

2005: (1)

One was reported on November 11th at Severn Beach.

2006: (1)

On December 7th an individual was noted at Severn Beach, on December 8th probably the same bird was seen at New Passage.

Purple Sandpiper at New Passage. December 2006. © Paul Bowerman.