Common Sandpiper

Actitis hypoleucos

General information. The common sandpiper is a common nester throughout Finland. Its call, heard while the bird is in flight, is familiar to many inhabitants living near lakes and waterfronts. It is known and recognized for the way it perches on a rock, wagging its tail in a species-specific way.

• Length about 20 cm
• Nests on the ground under vegetation cover
• Winters primarily in Africa
• Feeds on insects and molluscs

Habitat. The common sandpiper is primarily a wader of barren waters, with its favorite habitat being vast, rocky lake waterfronts. It can also be found nesting along the sea coast, in the archipelago and by rivers.

Distribution in Vaasa. During the survey, the common sandpiper was found in roughly 90 survey blocks, with the majority distributed along the coast and inner archipelago. The outer islands of the archipelago provide an unsuitable habitat for the sandpiper. Further inland, the best opportunity to observe this species is at Pilvilampi.