The last 100 breeding pairs in Switzerland breed in natural river meadows of the Alps and Alpine foothills.

The sandpiper often stops when searching for food and rocks with the back part of the body. It is particularly noticeable by its charachteristic whirring flight, a series of rapid, flat wing beats, which are broken by a short gliding phase. At the same time shrill sounding calls are often emitted. The last 100 breeding pairs in Switzerland breed in natural river meadows of the Alps and Alpine foothills.

Status (in CH): frequent, rare breeding bird, scarce migratory bird and rare winter visitor.

Features: Top dark brown; belly pure white with bright brown-grey markings laterally to the neck; white wing bars are easily recognised in flight: both sexes similar.

(Source: Swiss Ornithological Institute)