The common sandpiper is a small migratory wader found throughout Europe and north Asia. Most of the birds that breed on the European continent winter in Africa although some remain in the Mediterranean area.

It visits the Maltese islands on a regular basis in spring and autumn but a few can also be seen during the summer and winter months.

The common sandpiper, known in Maltese as pispisella, can be told from other wading birds by its shape and colour pattern but, easier still, one can recognise it by its habit of constantly bobbing its tail up and down while walking along the water’s edge searching for food.

Common sandpipers can be seen at the Għadira and Simar nature reserves. They can also be seen on rocky shores. When disturbed they fly off for a short distance with stiff wings low over the water calling their characteristic three-note, piping-like cry.

Common sandpipers can be seen at the Għadira and Simar nature reserves

Similar to many other waders, common sandpipers feed on a large variety of invertebrates including crustaceans, insects and worms which they pick up from the rocks or mud. This does not mean that they do not behave differently if necessary.

Last weekend I saw a common sandpiper that was feeding at the water’s edge at the Għadira Nature Reserve unexpectedly fly on to a small bush. It briefly searched between the branches and within seconds returned to the ground holding a large caterpillar in its beak. It then ran to the water, rinsed it and ate it.

The common sandpiper is one of several species of wading birds that rest in Malta while migrating. Two wader species, the back-winged stilt and the little ringed plover breed at the Għadira Nature Reserve. Hopefully more species will be added to our list of breeding birds.

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