I tried to pick up an egg I saw in the sand
Are you serious? Why would you try to pick up the egg?
I was concerned for its well-being.
You shouldn't try to pick up eggs you find outside. It could belong to a nest and you could endanger that animal.
There was no bird at the time so I figured it was safe.
A bird could always be nearby, that's why you should never pick up random eggs that you see.