The Baird’s Sandpiper, a scarce transatlantic visitor, is once again making its brief stop in Ireland during its long annual migration.

This small wader, named after American naturalist Spencer Fullerton Baird, breeds in the high Arctic of North America and Siberia. Each autumn it undertakes a remarkable journey to wintering grounds as far south as South America, with some individuals travelling more than 10,000 kilometres.

Ireland lies well off its main migration corridor, but a handful of birds turn up each year, typically in coastal wetlands, estuaries or sandy shorelines. Their appearances are usually fleeting, lasting days at most, making each sighting a prize for birdwatchers.

According to the specialist website irishbirding.com, there have been 13 confirmed sightings of the species in recent weeks. Two were reported today on the Belmullet Peninsula in Co Mayo and at Lurgangreen in Co Louth. Other records over the past fortnight include birds at Garranefeen Bay and Ring Strand in Co Cork, as well as at Myroe in Co Derry.

Baird’s Sandpipers are identifiable by their slim, elongated profile, fine bill and distinctive scalloped upperparts, which help distinguish them from the more common Dunlin and Little Stint. Juveniles are most often recorded in Ireland as they wander widely during their first migration south.