While sanderlings can be seen year-round on the Assateague beach (map)--racing out behind retreating waves to feast on tiny crustaceans and sea life left on the sand--in winter and spring they are most abundant.

These small birds (up to about eight inches) breed in Arctic regions and spend the winters along the coast, usually from Virginia southward. The females lay three or four olive-brown, spotted eggs that hatch in about three weeks.

Sanderling Call (.wav format)
(Sound source: Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, United States Department of the Interior)