I have no specific knowledge of sandpipers, but some birds have modified feathers that are like eyelashes. They tend to very fine and hard to see. It may be what you are seeing is a skin pattern on the eyelid itself. Here is a picture of a Lanner Falcon eye where you can see both.
Thanks for the heads up Dave. It is an off-site image. I checked my sharing settings on that site, and it shouldn't be blocked. It loads in my browser. Let me know if it still doesn't load and I'll figure something else out.
Picture is there now Isaac, not sure what was going on before. I see what you mean about both very fine feathers and a skin pattern on eye lid. I also took a photo of a Greater Yellow Legs the other day, and although not as much detail as the Sanderling, there appear to be eyelashes also.
Very ncie photo BTW and thanks for the reply. Dave
Birds have bristles in different places on their body. As mentioned, these look like hairs but are in fact highly modified feathers with just the feather shaft and no vane. Many insect eaters, particularly those that catch insects on the wing have long "rictal bristles" around the mouth. However, it is not clear that these function to help catching insects. As can be seen here, some birds have bristles around their eyes as well, although they are so short in the case of the Sanderling that it is difficult to figure out a function.
Eye Lashes?
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