Male and females look the same. A pale sandpiper whose non-breeding adults have a black shoulder patch and a grey half-collar with pure white underparts. The juveniles look different as they have a streaked crown, and the half-collar is black and looks smudged.

This species breeds in the northern Holarctic with main concentrations in Canadian Arctic, northern and eastern Greenland, western and central Siberia. The non-breeding grounds range worldwide and in southern Africa, most abundant on West Coast.

These common non-breeding Palearctic migrants arrive in September/October and most depart in April. The population in South Africa is believed to be around 40 000 birds, with Langebaan Lagoon recording the largest concentrations in the Western Cape (maximum 3500 birds). This population is considered globally significant.

Sanderlings are found on sandy beaches and mixed shores and use rocky shores and estuaries less frequently. During winter juveniles will use estuaries and lagoons more readily. Sanderling have been recorded on Main Beach in Witsand. Usually seen in flocks when foraging.

These active waders are often seen running close to the tide’s edge looking for shrimps, molluscs, insects and polychaete worms.

The oldest known bird is 13 years and one month old. Southern Africa supports about 30% of the combined Greenland and Siberian breeding population.