Actitis hypoleucos - Common Sandpiper

A summer visitor to Wales, the common sandpiper breeds mainly in the hills. Its characteristic nodding stance with bobbing hind quarters make it easily identifiable from quite a distance.

Sandpipers love small, clear streams and upland lakes where they can feed on freshwater shrimps and other crustaceans, insect larvae and worms. They nest on the ground, frequently quite close to the water's edge, producing typically four young.

As soon as their down is dry after hatching, the young sandpipers run around and are able to feed themselves, although the adults will accompany them.

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