Rock Sandpiper – Oregon Conservation Strategy

Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Overview

Species Common Name Rock Sandpiper
Species Scientific Name Calidris ptilocnemis tschuktschorum
State Listing Status Sensitive

Ecoregions

Nearshore

The Nearshore ecoregion includes a variety of habitats ranging from submerged high-relief rocky reefs to broad expanses of intertidal mudflats in estuaries and hosts a vast array of fish, invertebrates, marine mammals, birds, plants, and micro-organisms. This ecoregion encompasses the area from the outer boundary of Oregon’s Territorial Sea to the supra-tidal zone, and up into the estuaries.

Special needs

Rock Sandpipers are found along undisturbed, rocky coastlines with sufficient intertidal prey.

Limiting factors

There is a small migrant and wintering population in Oregon. Regional declines have been noted in the past. Rock Sandpipers are vulnerable to oil spills.

Data gaps

Few systematic counts have been undertaken in winter. Identify high priority wintering and staging locations. Evaluate the impacts of human disturbance on non-breeding birds.

Conservation actions

Minimize disturbance at wintering and staging locations. Take precautions to protect against oil spills.

Key reference or plan

Northern Pacific Coast Regional Shorebird Management Plan