OSLO BIRDER: Purple Sands at my feet

A misty morning at Huk, Bygdøy with snow in the air

Purple Sandpiper is a common winter species around the coasts of Norway including in the very far north but in Oslo has always been rare. Prior to 2016 I can only find 5 records and these were either in late autumn or early spring and were probably birds on migrantion. In 2016 a single bird turned up for a few days in mid winter at Huk, Bygdøy. In 2017 two birds wintered there from Jan to April. Then upto 9 birds were present winter 2017/18 and with similar numbers in the following three winters. The location can therefore now be described as an annual wintering site for the species and they seem to thrive here. But what has caused this change in distribution? I do not believe the species is becoming more numerous globally and would indeed expect that due to climate change is actually getting scarcer as it is an arctic breeding species. But this same climate change is making Oslo a suitable wintering site for the first time. The fjord in Oslo is not very tidal and usually freezes over for periods each winter. However, with milder winters there is less ice and therefore the birds can survive through the winter.

It is also the only species of wader that winters annually although Oystercatcher often does (but not this year) and there could well be a Jack Snipe or Woodcock that goes undetected somewhere.

Usually they are one of the handful of offshore rocks and can often be out of sight but every now and again they feed on the mainland and then one can get extremely close. This happened on Wednesday when they fed unconcerned by my presence just a few metres away.