At first light, along the main beach at Al Uqair, I came across a couple of Sanderling feeding along the edge of the beach. The bird was feeding actively as they always seem to do making getting good photos a little tricky. 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. This is the third winter I have found Sanderling in Al Uqair, so looks like it is a regular wintering location.
