Most adults leave the breeding grounds in July and early August, whereas juvenile birds leave in late August and early September. The northward migration begins in March at the southern end of their winter distribution. The breeding habitat of the sanderling is coastal tundra north of 5 °C (41 °F) July isotherm.

Do sanderlings migrate?

North American Sanderling populations make long-distance journeys between their Arctic breeding grounds and wintering grounds each year. ... Gregarious during migration and in winter, Sanderlings form large feeding and roosting flocks on coastal flats or beaches.

Where do sanderlings spend the winter?

Sanderlings breed in the Arctic, visiting the UK in the winter and passing through on migration during spring and autumn. The distance they travel varies, but individuals have been known to make 32,000 km annual round-trips to their breeding and wintering grounds.