Birds of North Carolina - their Distribution and Abundance

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

SCOLOPACIDAE Members:

Buff-breasted Sandpiper 267

General Comments

The Buff-breasted Sandpiper is one of our most beautiful shorebirds, and its dove-like appearance sets it apart from most other species, justifying its presence in a monotypic genus (Tryngites). Unfortunately, in 2013, the AOU moved the species into the genus Calidris, which contains all of the "peep" sandpipers, as well as other small to medium-sized sandpipers. It is a long-distance migrant from its wintering grounds in the southern part of South America to its Arctic breeding grounds. Unlike a few others with separate spring and fall migratory routes, such as the Hudsonian Godwit and American Golden-Plover, the Buff-breasted simply does not stray eastward off its mid-continent northbound flight, though one would have assumed there would be at least one spring record for North Carolina by now; thankfully, its southbound flight does include North Carolina. This was a very rare bird in the state prior to about 1970, but numbers of records have increased greatly in the past few decades, though numbers seem to have leveled off since 2000. It has somewhat specific habitat requirements here, favoring very short grass at the upper (drier) portions of mudflats, extensive lawns, turf farms, and other short grass situations. It is seldom seen feeding in shallow water.

Breeding Status

Nonbreeder

NC BRC List

Definitive

State Status

none

U.S. Status

Definitive

State Rank

Global Rank

Coastal Plain

Transient, only in fall. Very uncommon to occasionally uncommon on the Outer Banks, but generally rare elsewhere along the coast. Tidewater and farther inland -- generally rare (to locally uncommon) though somewhat regular. Mostly mid-Aug to early Oct, sparingly to the end of Oct; no Nov records. One at Cape Hatteras Point (Dare) on 28-30 Jul 2022 was quite early, as were two in Martin on 4 Aug 2018. Peak counts: 36, sod farm near Creswell (Washington), 18 Sep 2007; 28, in the same area, 4 Sep 2016; 23, in this same area, 9 Sep 2012; 16, Wright Brothers Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, 2 Sep 1973; 14, near Creswell, 12 Sep 2009.

Piedmont

Transient, only in fall. Rare to occasionally very uncommon (such as at extensive mudflats), scattered over most of the province. Mainly late Aug to the end of Sep, sparingly from 27 Jul to 18 Oct. Peak counts: 32, Falls Lake, 6 Sep 2007; 10, Falls Lake, early Sep 1998; 7 on two dates.

Mountain

Transient, only in fall. Rare but seemingly regular since 1996, in the Henderson/Transylvania area essentially only, perhaps annual in recent years. Two were seen at the Biltmore Estate (Buncombe) from 16-21 Sep 2025, perhaps a first record for that well-studied county. Mainly late Aug to late Sep. Most unusual was one photographed at Pineola (Avery) at 3660 feet elevation, on 3-6 Sep 2021. Peak counts: 22, Hooper Lane, fall 1992 (unspecific date for the peak); 14, Hooper Lane, 29 Aug 2012; 13, in this same area, 2 Sep 2016; 12, same area, 19 Sep 1999. It is likely that these records since that date are simply a matter of intensive coverage in the Hooper Lane area by a few observers, rather than a statement about geographic pattern or long-term population trend.

Finding Tips

There are no consistent spots in fall to see the species. The turf farm just west of Creswell (Washington) has had birds in recent years, and a turf farm is likely less dependent on rainfall than reservoirs farther inland (where shorebirds of all species are not to be seen if shorelines are absent). Pea Island and Cape Hatteras Point can be decent in fall, but partially because these areas are heavily birded. The Vandemark Turf Farm in northeastern Nash, near I-95 and NC 33, has had a few records in early fall in the past few years, along with Upland Sandpipers. The fields along Hooper Lane in Henderson have been reliable in recent falls.