Spotted Sandpiper Actitis macularius
Spotted Sandpipers are one of our common breeding sandpipers here in Western Washington, U.S. They generally breed in sandy areas beside water, like on riverbanks, lake edges, or sometimes beside salt water. They have two very distinct plumages. In summer they are heavily spotted like this bird. Today this bird called its loud repetative peeping call as it flew to where you see it now, then seemed to parade along the edge of the water high-stepping like a band major.
In winter it is much less strikingly dressed.
In this photo from very late fall most of its spots have been replaced by its basic non-breeding plumage.
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Good birding and good day!
