The populations and biometrics of purple sandpipers in the Outer Hebrides

The minimum wintering population of Purple Sandpipers in the Outer Hebrides was 2575 birds. Most were found on the western shores of the southern islands. They arrive in late October and November and many had departed from the main winter localities by March. The percentage of juveniles varied between two years, and the sex ratio was estimated at 1.7 males to 1.0 female. The breeding area of the Outer Hebridean birds is unknown but an analysis of their bill lengths indicates that most (97%) probably come from either Iceland or Canada.