In early May we begin to watch for the early shorebird migrants. On May 11 we were birding along the Bay of Fundy shoreline. One interesting place is in St. Andrews at the Blockhouse. There we were walking on the long red sandstone point jutting out into the bay. Shorebirds were scarce since it was early for their migration. However, we did find 3 Greater Yellowlegs sleeping with bills tucked under their wings. On the return we noted a movement on a dark clump of seaweed covered sandstone out of the water. To my surprise it was a group of well camouflaged shorebirds. On close examination they were Least Sandpipers and the more I looked, the more I saw. At first I saw 4, then 5, then 7. They were sleeping. Obviously the shorebirds on that point had recently arrived and were resting from their long journey. It was amazing how well the Least Sandpipers were concealed by their resemblance to the seaweed. The photo above shows them as they became active. We don't often see a group of only Least Sandpipers.
For more information on the Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) including migration and life history, search this blog for 'Least Sandpiper'. The breeding plumage of the Least Sandpiper is more rufous in colour than the non-breeding plumage which is more grayish. Notice in the photo above the rufous showing on the cheek patch, secondary wing feather tips, and breast streaking. In the topmost photo above you can see that some individuals are more rufous than others. They will soon all be changed into their breeding plumage.
Least Sandpipers are our smallest sandpiper (15 cm). They prefer inland bodies of water, sandy riverbanks, and the upper edges of estuaries. Their rufous plumage camouflages them well for these types of habitats. Mudflats and grassy marshes covered with dead and water-soaked vegetation matches their mottled feathers. That is why we don't see them on sandy beaches but rather on tidal creeks and edges of salt marshes.
The above photo shows the clear white belly and deep yellow legs of the Least Sandpiper. These sandpipers forage by walking along and picking up food items from the surface of the ground or shallow water. Sometimes they will probe the mud with their bill. Preferred foods are crustaceans, insects and snails. Their diet varies with the season. During migration they feed mainly on amphipods and isopods. In the spring along the Atlantic coastline they will join other shorebirds and feed on the eggs of horseshoe crabs.
The male Least Sandpiper displays for the female on the nesting ground. He approaches the female leaning forward with the tail uplifted while raising his wings over his back. For his display flight he circles the area alternating glides and flutters while singing. I have never heard any vocals from this species other than the high pitched kree. The nest is built on the ground near the water in a clump of grass. The male starts building the nest but the female soon takes over and completes the task. The nest is a shallow depression lined with grass, leaves and moss. The four pale buff eggs are blotched with brown and are incubated by both adults. The female sits at first for the night and early morning with the male taking over for the day. Later the male does most of the sitting. The young are precocious and leave the nest soon after hatching. Both adults nurture the young but as they get older the female leaves and the male continues to feed and care for them until they can fly which is about 14 to 16 days after hatching. They are on their own after that.
Least Sandpipers migrate in flocks (as seen in the group resting at St. Andrews mentioned above). Our eastern Canadian flocks sometimes migrate nonstop over the ocean to northern South America. Those from the interior of the country migrate over land and probably make periodic stops to rest and feed. Many winter in the southern US.
Population numbers for this species are not as vulnerable as some since they are not totally dependent on important stopover sites. Although their numbers are down, their population is not currently facing any known threats.
