The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
.
The global distribution of the Purple Sandpiper is available
HERE
.
Purple Sandpipers are a partly migratory, parly sedentary species.
Their breeding grounds are located mostly within the Arctic circle,
from central northern Canada to central northern Russia, including
prominently near-coastal southern Greenland, Iceland and Svalbard,
but also parts of northern Europe.
The only sedentary populations are found around the coastal fringe
of Iceland and of northern Scandinavia.
The winter quarters of the migratory population are located along
the North American East coast, from South Carolina to Newfoundland
(with a small population in the Great Lakes Basin) and along the
European West coast.
In Europe Purple Sandpipers are permanent residents only in
near-coastal northern Scandinavia, beyond the Arctic circle.
During the breeding season they extends their range into the
mountainous parts of western and northern Scandinavia and
along the northern half of the Kola peninsula. They also
breed in Arctic coastal north-western Russia.
They overwinter along the West coast of Europe, from central
Scandinavia to Gibraltar, including the coastline of the
British Isles and associated islands and some locations in
the southern Baltic Sea. They are also found as far southward
as the Azores.
During the breeding season Purple Sandpipers are usually found
in Artic tundra or on, often rocky, islands.
Outside the breeding season Purple Sandpipers are a coastal
species, where they are again often seen in rocky habitats.