Purple Sandpipers are a very rare breeding bird in Scotland with only a handful breeding in secret locations. In the winter, migrating birds from the Arctic Tundra spend the winter on the East Coast, Devon and Cornwall. They are often in the company of Ruddy Turnstone and  in fact feed in much the same way, that is, close to incoming waves. They can be seen precariously scurrying clear of waves as they crash on to rocks on the surf line. Today, I watched and photographed a small group on the beach by Jacob’s Ladder at Sidmouth. The rain was teaming down and this kept dog walking disturbance down to a minimum. The birds were feeding on mussels that were being washed in and smashed open by the strong surf. They are described as very “tame” and easily approachable which certainly was the case today. I got a great deal of pleasure from watching and photographing them and I think I managed one or two half decent shots.