The Purple Sandpiper
Purple Sandpiper Calidris maritima L 20. Uncommon breeder on high mountain plateaux, in Arctic down to sea level. Winters locally in small flocks on rocky islets and shores. Clearly larger than Dunlin. Darkest of the smaller sandpipers: uniform slategrey in winter plumage with orange-yellow legs (short) and bill base (conspicuous at long range); in summer plumage rather more vividly marked in dark grey and rusty-brown, with greybrown legs. Commonest call is a full, loud'kuit', and lower'kwit-it, kwit'. Alarm a laughing 'puhuhuhuhu'. During display flight a Dunlin-like droning 'trruee-trruee-trruee-...'. A stuttering 'kevikevikvikvikvi' is also heard in association with display. WP
An
excellent pocket reference book for recognising birds
is the Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe,
which is a comprehensive reference guide to Britain
and mainland Europe's plethora of ornithological life.
