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 250 Purple Sandpipers reported from
S. Gloucestershire;
2012: (1)
One was present at New Passage with Turnstone on March 17th;
Purple Sandpiper at New Passage. Vic Savery
2011: (c.6)
One was present on the shore line south of Severn Beach on
January 2nd; One was present on Northwick Warth on December
31st from at least 10:15, and there was also an unconfirmed
report of four near the Yacht Club at Oldbury-on-Severn.
Purple Sandpiper on Northwick Warth. Tony Scott.
2010: (1)
One was seen mixing with Turnstone near the 'pipes' south of
Severn Beach on December 13th.
Purple Sandpiper at Severn Beach. December 2010. Paul
Bowerman.
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.
2005: (1)
One was reported on November 11th at Severn Beach.
2002: (1)
One was seen at New Passage on November 6th.
2000: (2)
Noted at Severn Beach with single birds on October 21st and
29th and November 6th.
1999: (2)
Two at Severn Beach on January 3rd and 24th.
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.
1994: (1)
One was reported from Severnside on the 9th November.
1993: (2)
Single birds were reported from Severn Beach on January 3rd
and 10th and November 21st.
1992: (2)
Two were noted at Severn Beach on December 29th.
1991: (3)
One was noted on August 28th at Severn Beach; Two were
reported from Severn Beach on December 15th.
1990: (1)
Single birds were reported from New Passage on December 9th
and 27th.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1977: (3)
Up to three between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach up to
May 12th and again after December 3rd.
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.
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.
1974: (2)
One or two at Severn Beach between January and April 6th and
December.
1973 (2)
One or two between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach between
January and May 18th and December.
1972: (5)
Up to five between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach between
January and March.
1971: (5)
Up to five between Chittening Warth and Severn Beach between
January and March 11th and again in November and December.
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.
1968: (3)
Three were reported from Severn Beach on December 10th.
1964: (3)
Two or three were seen at Severn Beach on December 28th.
1963: (3)
Three were seen at Severn Beach on November 24th.
1960: (1)
One was seen at Severn Beach on March 20th.
1955: (4)
At least four were present at New Passage on April 10th; One
was seen at Severn Beach on May 8th.
1954: (1)
One was noted at Severn Beach on February 28th.
1953: (6)
Six were seen in company with Turnstones at Severn Beach on
December 13th.
1947: (1)
One was seen among Turnstones at Severn Beach on March 30th.
1942: (8)
Frequently noted off Severn Beach from January to March; Up
to eight were noted at Severn Beach on February 22nd.
1941: (6)
Noted at Severn Beach with four present on February 16th;
Two were seen at New Passage on November 23rd.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1936: (13) HIGHEST COUNT 12
Twelve were noted on the Severn Beach mud flats on March
29th; One was seen on May 10th on Severnside.