How many pipers piping?

#funfactfriday Eleven pipers piping? Not around here!

There are seven, not eleven, species of sandpiper that can be seen around the Okanagan and Similkameen, but only Spotted, Solitary, and Least Sandpipers are common enough to be seen with any regularity, and even then they are only around during the warmer months!

Sandpipers are known for the constant head-nodding motion that they make while foraging. Ornithologists still aren't certain why they do this and there are numerous theories about it, ranging from mimicking wave movement to blend in with the water and avoid predators, to displaying dominance over their territory, to making it easier for them to see the movement of prey. Nobody knows for sure!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at OSS!