Common Sandpiper

02nd August 2019

A recent paper in British Birds included findings from a geolocator study in the Highland area. This is one of our most common breeding waders on Skye nesting near freshwater lochs and streams as well as by the sea. Birds winter in the mudflats of Guinea-Bassau with fiddler crabs being the main prey species. The mean arrival date in Scotland is May 1st and the mean departure date is July 29th. Birds leaving the Highlands made a refuelling stop in Iberia before continuing to West Africa. On the return journey they refuel in Morocco, Iberia or France. Numbers are declining and drought in wintering areas and unfavourable winds on migration may be a factor.

THE BOOK

"A glorious little gem"

AMAZON

"A book such as this has to look backwards and the author does so succinctly, looking at the work of several of the pioneering naturalists before picking out the publications of JA Harvie-Brown and the Rev. Hugh Macpherson. I know this book fills a real gap in the information available for the Isle of Skye and it will surely sell well at local bookshops."

Andrew Currie Miscellany West Highland Free Press

"A total of 238 species have been recorded, with 14 of those 'red listed' as of high conservation concern ... another innovation has been the inclusion of Gaelic names for some birds. While this is not uncommon in a few other books, the addition of some regional Gaelic names is very unusual and very welcome."

Ray Collier Country Diary 'Up in the Skye' The Guardian

"Illustrated with beautiful photographs of current birdlife on the island, the publication also features sketches by Jean Thomas of The Little Gallery, Portnalong, stimulating the reader's interest further and allowing them to identify species they encounter on Skye."

The Hebridean