Can you identify these birds I saw on North Beach two weeks ago? I thought they were a Sandpiper specifies.
Thanks
Mike Whitfield
Mike: You are right, these are a species of sandpiper. If you look closely, you will notice their pale color and straight black bill. As you watched them, they undoubtedly skittered in and out of the waves like they drank way too much coffee. After running a distance, they probably stopped and made 6 or 7 probes into the sand before running on. These clues identify the birds as Sanderlings.
During much of the year, the Sanderlings spend their time feeding along the edge of the surf on sandy beaches. The pale color with the black spotting to break up their form provides excellent camouflage for these hyperactive birds. We will see them on Seabrook Island in fairly large numbers during the winter months, though some may hang around all year (these are non-breeding birds). During the breeding season, the majority of these birds return to the far north tundra to breed. During low tide, an observant person walking the beach may notice the line of holes which are the probe paths of the sanderling.
Robert Mercer
If you have a question, just send us an email at seabrookislandbirders@gmail.com