Category Archives: Shore Birds

Skimmers at the Beach

September 24, 2019 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

A flock of mostly Black Skimmers with a few terns, gulls and Oyster Catchers mixed in were occupying a sand bar at the edge of the ocean near where the Kiawah River runs into the Atlantic.

As I’ve seen before some signal is received by the birds and they all take off and relocate at once.

This was just past low tide and their real estate was shrinking quickly with the incoming tide. They settled down on the next available spot, dislocating a few pipers.

The terns were more inclined to stay put, not minding the surf lapping at their legs.

Beachwalker Park, Kiawah, SC 9/24/2019

Shore Birds

American Oystercatcher Flying Over Surf

September 15, 2019 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

This American Oystercatcher had been standing in the surf. He got a running start then smoothly took off with one full beat of his wings.

It was just after dawn and he was flying directly into the sun, which I think must not affect birds’ eyes the way it does mine.

The incoming tide created a nice series of waves behind the bird.

He let out a squawk for good measure before he disappeared down the beach.

Shore Birds

Ruddy Turnstone

September 14, 2019 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Their calico-cat like coloring sets these shorebirds apart from the others, but their behavior on the beach is a lot like the pipers and other “peeps.”

Standing around in small groups or on their own, they wait for the ocean to reveal something to eat.

Walking along the edge of the surf, this Ruddy Turnstone was proactively looking for a snack, racing ahead of the flowing water.

Botany Bay Island, August 4, 2019.

Shore Birds

Tern and Chick

September 13, 2019 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

A large portion of the marsh behind Botany Bay Beach is cordoned off to keep humans from interfering with breeding shore birds. Their nests are nothing more than depressions in the sand and aside from the obvious egg destruction by human feet many of these birds just don’t like to be disturbed by man or his pets while raising their young.

Breeding season was over when I took these images but a few young stragglers were on the beach on August 4th.

This young tern didn’t seem to know what to do. The sun had just come up and he probably should have been looking for breakfast.

An adult was nearby, but I didn’t see them interact.

This may be the same young bird, I spotted a bit further down the beach.

Shore Birds

Willet and His Shadow

September 12, 2019 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Willets are shore birds that tend to mind their own business and with their sand coloring it is easy to miss them. As the sun was coming up this one decided to take a stroll away from the water and there was a bit of contrast between him and the hard packed sand. The line shadows behind him were created by a dead tree standing in the ocean surf.

Then he took off, first showing me his patterned underwings…

…then revealing a nice view of his the upper side of his wing, and a cool shadow.

I didn’t capture his shadow in this last image but I did like the driftwood background as the Willet flew away.

Botany Bay Island, SC, August 4, 2019

Shore Birds

Ruddy Turnstone: Driftwood Framing

September 11, 2019 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

My position and timing were big factors in capturing these images of a Ruddy Turnstone exploring a barnacle covered tree.

The incoming tide was pretty calm, creating just a small splash behind the bird.

The bird was in almost constant motion, not waiting for the perfect combination of splash, his position, and my readiness.

Botany Bay Island, SC, August 4, 2019

Shore Birds

American Oystercatchers Low Over Surf

September 10, 2019 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Low over the incoming surf a pair of American Oystercatchers flew down the beach.

Botany Bay Island, SC, August 4, 2019

Shore Birds

Ruddy Turnstone: Mud Hunt

August 22, 2019 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

The receding tide uncovered a blob of mud and left a pool of water perfect for a Ruddy Turnstone to poke around in for breakfast.

The sun had just come up casting a bit of orange glow on the water.

The Turnstone feeds by probing in the mud or sand for small crustaceans. This mud was pretty dense and was not something I wanted to step in but this little fellow found it appealing.

Click on any image for a larger view.

Landscape, Shore Birds

Pond Scenes

August 18, 2019 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

The water was still and the air was hot. A few gulls and terns occupied old posts standing in the pond while an Anhinga dried off on a stump.

Shore Birds on Posts, Anhinga in Background

Even though it was early morning when you expect to see the birds feeding there wasn’t much going on.

Trees and grasses on the other side of the pond made interesting reflections in the water.

Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC, 8/12/2019

Shore Birds

Ruddy Turnstone Explorer

August 6, 2019 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

An easier to identify shore bird than some due to their pretty rusty colors and calico like pattern, the Ruddy Turnstone breed in the tundra of northern North America but non-breeding Turnstones can be found along most of the eastern and western US coastlines.

I came upon a small flock after Sunday’s Sunrise, and this one was acting like an intrepid adventurer as the tide came in.

Covered in barnacles, there are a number of dead trees that have been knocked over by storms laying in the water here.