Shorebirds: Sun Loving Beach Bums
The South Carolina shores are home to a wide variety of birds. The sea gulls follow the shrimp boats as they troll the waters, and can be seen along the shores searching for crustaceans washed up with the tide. While the sea gulls are a common site along the shore they are not considered shorebirds.
Shorebirds are waders. Most have small bodies with long, thin legs for wading. They inhabit the coastal waters, wetlands, interior grasslands and the arctic tundra.
Shorebirds
The American Oystercatcher
Shorebirds
Shorebirds belong to the avian order Charadriiformes. Within the order there are numerous families and species.
Most have small bodies with long, thin legs for wading. They have three unwebbed toes that point forward with a hind toe that is reduced or absent.
They inhabit the coastal waters, wetlands, interior grasslands and the arctic tundra.
3,000 miles of Shoreline
T
he coast of South Carolina is 187 miles in length but when you add the islands, bays, and estuaries, the total shoreline measures over 3,000 miles. It is home for many beautiful and fascinating birds.
The Sanderling
Nesting Season
Shorebirds begin nesting in early April. Endangered birds such as the American oystercatcher and the least tern build their nests on beachfronts, in mounds of shells, or in the marsh, well above the high-tide line.
The Piping Plover
Migration
Most shorebirds are migratory birds. They will travel thousands of miles between their nesting grounds and their wintering grounds. The shores of South Carolina are a frequent rest stop for migrating shorebirds.
A Flock of Black Skimmers
The Decline
The number of shorebirds has declined over the years. Loss of suitable nesting habitat appears to be the leading cause. There is also an increase in the number of egg stealing predators. If disturbed by humans, a shorebird will abandon its nest.
Share the Beach
Watch Lists
There are several birds that nest in South Carolina that are on the endangered 
list. The American Oystercatcher is one of them. The South Carolina Department of Natural Recourses is currently working on a program to help protect its nesting sites. We've lost too many birds already. We don't need to lose anymore. The Least Tern and the Wilson's Plover are on the watch list as well.
The American Avocet
101 Ways to Help Birds
101 Ways to Help Birds
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/18/2009)
101 Ways to Help Birds offers 101 ways for individuals to help birds and bird populations as a whole, and it explains how these actions make a difference. Any bird lover knows that birds and animals alike need our help. Without it, we will lose more and we've lost enough as it is.
Don't Disturb the Birds
Bird watching is an enjoyable pastime, and spotting and photographing a rare shorebird is exciting, but don't go searching for them, especially during nesting season. The beach may be a recreational spot for us but it's their home. Disturb them and they may abandon their nest. I want my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to be able to spot an illusive shorebird, not just read about them in a book.
What's your favorite shorebird?
Peterson's Field Guide to Birds
Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)
Amazon Price: $16.38 (as of 12/18/2009)
An absolute must have for anyone with a birdfeeder and an interest in watching the birds.
Some of my Favorite South Carolina Beach Bums
-
The Whimbrel
-
The Whimbrel is one of the eight remaining species of curlew. It is a shy bird, but can be spotted along the shore of North America, Europe and Asia in the summer and in South America in the winter. They are waders and use their long curved beaks to...
-
Sanderlings
-
Sanderlings are the most widespread of all the shorebirds. They are often seen on beaches scurrying after waves as they roll back to the sea. They are looking for crustaceans and mollusks exposed by the retreating water.
-
Herring Gulls
-
The Herring Gull is a familiar bird. It is often seen along the coast and in coastal urban settings. It has a gray mantle and black wing-tips and can be seen dining in garbage dumps and following the fishing vessels to shore.
-
The Laughing Gull
-
Named for its well-known laughing call, the Laughing Gull is a common sight along the Atlantic Coast. They are a social bird and are often seen (and heard) in large flocks. More scavenger than hunter, they pick the beach clean of editable trash and f...
Selecting a Pair of Binoculars
-
Selecting a Pair of Bird Watching Binoculars
-
When I look out my window and watch the birds flutter around the birdfeeder, I really don't need a pair of binoculars or a scope to enjoy the sight. I frequently stop by the window and watch the birds for a minute or two between household tasks. (Occ...
Nikon Monarch Binoculars
The Nikon Monarch Binoculars
The waterproof, fog-free Nikon binoculars are perfect for outdoor use. Bright, beautifully defined images are delivered by superior quality, multilayer coated lense.O-ring seals and nitrogen gas provide added resistance to the effects of changes in climate, while the durable design and rubber armoring ensure reliable performance and a comfortable grip, even during prolonged use. Worry-free viewing of the great outdoors.
Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia
Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia: A Guide to Field Identification (Princeton Field Guides)
Amazon Price: $25.55 (as of 12/18/2009)
Shorebirds of North America, Europe, and Asia is divided into two sections for easy use. The first section shows the shorebirds in standard poses and the second shows them in flight. I prefer this field guide to the others because shorebirds rarely stay still long enough to identify them. With flight illustrations I have a better chance at identifying them.
Can you identify the different shorebirds?
-
Reply
- susannaduffy susannaduffy Mar 6, 2009 @ 5:18 am
- I have learned so much about birds in the past few days - and all from your lovely lenses.
-
Reply
- marsha32 marsha32 Mar 2, 2009 @ 7:51 pm
- clicking over from twitter to yet another of your great bird lenses that I've not visited before.
-
Reply
- tdove tdove Jan 19, 2009 @ 3:06 pm
- Thanks for joining G Rated Lense Factory!
-
Reply
- OhMe OhMe Dec 29, 2008 @ 8:27 am
- This lens is now featured on my new lens, South Carolina Symbols and More.
-
Reply
- Joan4 Joan4 Dec 11, 2008 @ 2:09 pm
- I agree with Ohme. I need to print this and take with me next time! I do love the South Carolina shore! Very helpful lens!
- Load More
About the Author
Lensmaster ElizabethJeanAllen has been a member since March 16 2008, has rated 4,011 lenses, favorited 445, and has created 200 lenses from scratch. Lizzy Jean donates their royalties to Squidoo Charity Fund. This member's top-ranked page is "2009 Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments". See all my lenses
Sunset Over the Water
Resources used to construct this page.
Peterson, T.P. & Peterson, V.M. 2002. Birds of Eastern and Central North America, Fifth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, N.Y.
National Resources Conservation Service
Birds of South Carolina
South Carolina Shoreline Types
Love This Lens?
- Rate this lens:
- Email it
- Favorite it
- Lensroll it
by ElizabethJeanAllen
I tell my students to Learn from the Past, Live in the Present, and Plan for the Future. With Squidoo I can do all three.
(more) Explore related pages
The Bald Eagle
- The Bald Eagle in flight is an impressive sight to see. It is a powerful flier s...
Identifying Birds- Spotting a bird is one thing, identifying it is another story. With over 10,000...
The Brown Pelican- The Brown Pelican is a large, stocky bird with a twelve inch bill and trademark...
The Ring-billed Gull- The Ring-billed Gull is a highly social bird. They occupy large colonies, especi...
Busy Lizzy's Aquatic Birds- Aquatic birds live on or near bodies of water. They acquire their food from the...
Sanderlings- Sanderlings are the most widespread of all the shorebirds. They are often seen o...
