March 7, 2025: Purple Sandpipers remain on Cape Cod’s rocky shorelines through early March, gradually migrating north in small groups. They forage on shellfish and tiny ocean dwellers, with departure timing influenced by weather and Arctic breeding schedules. This sandpiper was recently seen on a jetty along Falmouth Heights Beach.

Purple Sandpipers (Calidris maritima) are winter residents along the rocky shorelines of Cape Cod, and by early March, they are nearing the end of their wintering period before migrating north.

Migration Habits in Early March

– Residency & Timing: Many Purple Sandpipers remain on Cape Cod through March, as they are among the last shorebirds to depart for their Arctic breeding grounds. Some may linger into April before beginning their northward migration.
– Habitat & Feeding: They are most commonly found on rocky jetties, breakwaters, and exposed coastal ledges, where they forage on small invertebrates, mollusks, and crustaceans.
– Gradual Departure: Unlike other shorebirds that leave in large flocks, Purple Sandpipers tend to migrate in small groups. By mid-to-late March, some begin their slow migration northward, stopping at rocky coastlines along the way before reaching breeding sites in the Canadian Arctic and Greenland.
– Weather-Dependent Migration: Cold snaps and late-winter storms may delay their departure, while milder conditions can trigger early movements.