Sanderling steps

With the back-to-back storms passing through, I've been reading more about nature than spending time out in it. I've been dipping in and out of so many books, that I cannot re-find where I read that sanderlings lack a hind toe and that this distinguishes them from other small waders. But it was before I took advantage of a break in the weather to spin down route 76 in East Lothian and take a walk on Aberlady beach. I was alone but for a couple of oystercatchers, and one strong but tiny white-grey sanderling, bracing in the wind and zig-zagging along the tideline, chasing the receding waves and then fleeing back when they changed direction. Remembering the fun foot fact, when the bird took off for other tides I traced its path and found minute three-toed prints in the wet sand, jinking back and forth. I often see these little winter silver sandpipers from coastal NCN routes that run along the long, sandy beaches that they prefer - route 7 through Ayrshire, route 1 in Angus, as examples. Unsurprising perhaps, as 16,000 overwinter in the UK - that's 96,000 toes.