Sanderlings, Yellowlegs and Dunlins, oh my!

Since it's fall, it's time for yet another bird survey. Today I visited the south shore of Fort Pickens, which was overrun with hundreds of sanderlings (SAND)...



There were several yellowlegs (LEYE) hanging around the north shore ponds. Can you tell how they got their name?



From time to time, a dunlin (DUNL) ran about with the sanderlings as well. They're down curved beak and darker coloring are quick cues to their presence in a mass of feeding, or warming, sanderlings and plovers.



There were egrets and herons running around as well...



Most of the day, however, was dedicated to the feeding sanderlings.



They're the little sewing machines of the beach, tearing up the sand as they hunt for tiny crustaceans underneath...



They must swallow lots of sand as well -- just look at that beak! (If you click on the image to enlarge, it's easier to see.)



They pause from time to time when they are rudely interrupted by an approaching wave...



or taking time out for a nap, but these breaks are rare.



Ever industrious, they keep us busy as we try to remember which individuals we've already counted, and which simply won't stay still. Imagine a flock of 70 or so, running back and forth as the waves wash the beach, like little perpetual motion machines. Sometimes the best count we can get is an educated guess!

Birds Again!

Winter means birding at the beach, and there are lots of interesting species visiting.



Gulls, like this young Herring gull (HERG), grow more numerous as the chilly weather sets in. Several times a week, we do surveys divided between the south and north shores. Today was time for south shore surveys.



The south shore often has more common species here, though they can be quite beautiful, like this stalking little blue heron (LBHE).



The black bellied plovers (BBPL) were uncharacteristically bold while feeding today -- they must know the weather is predicted to cool down considerably tomorrow.



I never get tired of my RUTUs! Here, a RUTU seems to rule a roost of sanderlings. Not bad work for such a regal looking shorebird!

PIPLs, SNPLs, WIPLs, et al.

Yes, it was another bird survey day. We have a lot of those in the winter, and yes, for a sea turtle girl, this is officially winter. Once that thermometer hits 80 degrees, it's time for a parka (if you don't believe me, just ask my co-workers...)

A lot of these will seem redundant, but it's time for 'peep' lessons. For today, it's just the following:



SAND (sanderlings)



WIPL (Wilson's plover)



PIPL (piping plover)



SNPL (snowy plover)



with some WILL (willets)



BRPE (brown pelicans)



and GBHE (great blue herons), thrown in for good measure....

Now let's try that again...



Can you tell what's in here? There are just two species...



Here, we have three... It helps to click to see them better, and pay close attention to leg color and their beaks!

I'll try to photograph a north shore survey soon so we can add some to the cast of characters in the park :)