As days get longer and temperatures begin to climb, birds and birders are anxiously waiting for that annual bliss that comes with the change in seasons. Yes—you know what I am talking about: Spring Migration. While some species are already on the move, we’re waiting for that burst of northward movement from the bulk of […]
Tag: Long-billed Curlew
King Tides Are a Sign of the Future for Oregon’s Coast
With the king tides in Oregon this month, we are getting a preview of the rising sea levels that climate change will bring to the Oregon Coast. These extremely high tides – which are 2 to 4 feet higher than normal – currently only occur a couple times a year when the moon is closest […]
Migrating Upland Sandpiper At EAA
A second late summer visit to the Everglades Agricultural Area was rewarding for a handful of species photographed this week. An early departure from Fort Myers with Bird Patrol volunteer Tom Obrock allowed a near sunrise arrival at the sod fields on Hatton Road just south of FL SR 80 that had been noted to […]
Curlews in crisis?
To the layman, the curlews are a shy, unassuming family of birds. Their mottled-brown plumage makes for effective camouflage against their marshland and mudflat feeding grounds, meaning they can go about their business unnoticed, prying out invertebrates such as ragworms with their purpose-built curved bills. But if, like the curlews, you take time to dig […]
Bunche Beach Preserve: Sunrise West End
Recent days, weeks, and months have offered great birding possibilities at Bunche Beach Preserve in South Fort Myers. The Reddish Egret with prey above (image 1) was photographed at Bunche Beach Preserve in April 2016. An early April visit to Bunche followed my January visit when an American Flamingo was […]
Poll: Vote for Your Favorite Species to Help Celebrate World Shorebird Day! (Photos)
This Saturday marks the first World Shorebird Day, a day to celebrate these beautiful birds and raise awareness for their conservation. Shorebirds nest and migrate along beaches and grasslands, and are known to have some of the most impressive migrations in the animal kingdom. They’re an incredibly diverse group of birds, consisting of plovers, oystercatchers, […]
Long-billed Curlew
Long-billed Curlews have to be one of the most fascinating birds around. I mean, just look at these guys–the large size (for a shorebird), the enormously long bill, and the curve of it. It’s shaped just right to get down into sand and mud to grab burrowing shrimp and crabs. Watching them hunt for food […]
Long-billed Curlew with Crabs
Long-billed Curlews are crazy awesome birds. It’s pretty amazing to see them at work. They can get those bills down pretty far into the sand in search of crabs and other food. I found this one at Fort De Soto yesterday. It was actively probing the sand, and I saw it catch at least two […]