BIRDS ON THE BEACH!
RUDDY TURNSTONE They can survive in a wide range of habitats and climatic conditions from Arctic to tropical. It is found along coasts, particularly on rocky or stony shores. It is often found on man-made structures such as breakwaters and jetties. It may venture onto open grassy areas near the coast. Small numbers sometimes turn up on inland wetlands, especially during the spring and autumn migrations.
BLACK BELLIED PLOVER Nests in both wet and dry tundra. Winters in coastal lagoons and estuaries. Migrants stop along coastlines and in harvested agricultural areas, sod farms, and muddy edges of lakes and rivers.
WILLET In winter, Willets are easy to spot feeding along the water’s edge. They’re one of the largest common shorebirds, so even though they’re indistinctly marked, you can learn to quickly recognize their overall chunky shape, subdued plumage, and thick, long bill. To be absolutely sure, look for distinctive black and white wing markings when they take flight, and listen for the pill-will-willet call that gives them their name.
ROYAL TERN Royal Terns are often among the first birds a visitor sees at the seashore, along with species such as Laughing Gulls and Brown Pelicans. Listening for the distinctive call (ka-rreet!) is a good way to locate this species. Among the many species of terns at North American beaches, Royal Terns are among the largest, outsized only by the Caspian Tern.
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