Whilst birding the Jubail area recently I came across a single Sanderling feeding along the edge of a large area of flooded sabkha. The bird was feeding activel as they always seem to do making getting good photos a little tricky. This is a species that occurs rarely inland in Jubail and was a pleasing find. The Sanderling is a migratory bird that is a common passage migrant and uncommon winter visitor in Saudi Arabia. It occurs on both coasts during migration (Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct) and occasionally inland, especially in spring but is more common on the west coast than the east coast. It prefers sandy beaches but is also less commonly seen on muddy shores and saline lagoons.
