810 Records

The Solitary Sandpiper is a familiar spring and fall migrant in Maryland. It rarely joins large shorebird flocks on open mudflats, marshes, or beaches. They instead visit small ponds, large puddles, and various freshwater habitats less likely to attract other shorebirds. They pass through Maryland in spring mostly in April and May on their way to northern forests, nearly all in Canada. There they nest near freshwater water bodies and bogs, but their nesting habits may be a surprise. The male identifies old nests of songbird species such as those of American Robin, Rusty Blackbird, Cedar Waxwing, and Canada Jay. The female confirms the best choice, removes old lining, and relines the nest.

The species passes through Maryland again in fall, this time on its way to wintering grounds in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, sometimes at elevation up to about 4,000 feet. The northernmost normal wintering range includes Mexico and southern Texas.