Over the last 20 years it has been estimated that there has been as much as a 99% decline of Purple Sandpipers in Guernsey recorded during the winter months, numbers dramatically dropping from around 100 birds each winter to just 1 !! Due to lack of historical coverage Alderney is unable to contribute data to the shocking decline of these often confiding little waders. This century there were no records at all in Alderney until the ABO began regular recording in 2016. Though numbers here are few we are at least recording these schedule 1 protected birds each winter. Today I was delighted to come across 3 Purple Sandpipers along our north east coastline. Photo from today (JH) Purple Sandpipers that appear to be the ‘long billed form’.